Iraqi politician, economist and industrialist. Hadid was controversial, accused by some of compromising his socialist ideals and defended by others as a pragmatist. He firmly rejected Communist ideas but insisted that the evils of capitalism should be fought, not capitalism itself. In 1956, during Suez conflict, Hadid spearheaded the Front of National Union in demanding 'the combating of imperialist encroachment.' As Minister of Finance, Hadid used credit from the Soviet Union to foster industry and pay for ambitious schemes to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people. In 1962, Hadid left politics and joined his business ventures. He was born in Mosul, Iraq, and died outside London, in Maidenhead. He was intelligent, lively and cultivated man who aimed to serve his countrymen.