Emad Hajjaj

Emad Hajjaj
Born1967 (age 57–58)
West Bank, Jordan
NationalityJordanian
EducationBachelor of Fine Arts, Yarmouk University
Known fordrawing caricatures
Websitewww.hajjajcartoons.com

Emad Hajjaj (Arabic: عماد حجاج) is a Palestinian-Jordanian editorial cartoonist.[1][2][3] He is best known for his work in Al Ra'i and the Jordan Times daily newspapers.[4]

Early life

Emad was born in Jordan's West Bank in 1967.[5] He received his art education at Yarmouk University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 after majoring in graphic design and with a minor in journalism.[6]

Career

Emad is the brother of Osama Hajjaj who is also a cartoonist and political caricaturist.[7] The brothers are actually aware of the challenges involved in publishing political cartoons in strife-torn Middle East. Both have been victims of intimidation and have received death threats on account of their satirical work, especially for cartoons directed at ISIS.[8]

During the Pan Arab games held in Amman, Emad published a cartoon which pointed out the irony that a nation could be proud when it allowed honor killings to continue.[4] In 2008, an exhibition of his work, featuring 100 drawings was held at the city hall of Ra's al-'Ayn,[9] and he was a contributor to the Lighting Lamps exhibition which was sponsored by the British Council.[10]

Arrest

On 26 August 2020, Emad was arrested in Jordan under the cybercrime law after publishing a caricature criticising the Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement.[11] The drawing depicted a UAE political leader, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, holding a white peace dove on which is painted the Israeli flag. The crown prince is visibly upset at the pigeon for spitting on his face. The caption on top reads: "Israel asks USA to not sell F-35 warplanes to the UAE". On the spit the letters "Spit 35" are read.

Local journalists' rights centres called for Emad's immediate release.[12]

Emad was released four days later, following his bail by the Jordanian Journalists Syndicate.[13]

Abu Mahjoob Character

Hajjaj created the cartoon character Abu Mahjoob (Arabic: أبو محجوب) in 1993, and has gained in popularity in Jordan since then. Abu Mahjoob represents the common Jordanian man and portrays his every day political, social, and cultural concerns.[14] He wears a pinstripe suit and necktie along with a red keffiyeh and agal, and sports a crooked moustache.

Emad Hajjaj first drew Abu Mahjoob in 1993 as a character who hung candidate posters in the Jordanian parliamentary election that year. Hajjaj based the character on his father in terms of his witty and ironic humor.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kummer, Patricia K. (2006). Jordan (Enchantment of the World, Second). Children's Press. pp. 114. ISBN 978-0-516-24870-7.
  2. ^ Suleiman, Yasir (2011). Arabic, Self and Identity: A Study in Conflict and Displacement. Oxford University Press. pp. 162. ISBN 978-0-19-974701-6.
  3. ^ Mahafzah, Al (2008). Sarvepalli Gopa (ed.). History of humanity: scientific and cultural development. The twentieth century. p. 682. ISBN 978-92-3-104083-2.
  4. ^ a b Warrick, Catherine (2009). Law in the service of legitimacy: gender and politics in Jordan. Ashgate. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7546-7587-7.
  5. '^ "Emad Hajjaj," [Biographical Notes], Cartooning for Peace, Online:; Bendazz, G., Animation: A World History, Vol. III, CRC Press, 2015, [E-text edition], n.p.
  6. ^ "Cartooning for Peace". www.cartooningforpeace.org (in French). Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  7. ^ Maktabi, R., "Brothers' political cartoons break taboos," CNN: Middle East News, 5 April 2011 Online:
  8. ^ Gruber, C., "Fighting ISIS With A Pen," 26 June, Newsweek, 26 June 2015, Online:
  9. ^ "Hajjaj cartoons to be on display". Jordan Times. 1 August 2008.
  10. ^ Franks, Tim (16 March 2009). "Jerusalem Diary: 16 March". BBC.
  11. ^ "Jordanian cartoonist arrested for publishing cartoon insulting Arab country". en.royanews.tv. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  12. ^ "حماية الصحفيين يدعو للإفراج الفوري عن رسام الكاريكاتير عماد حجاج". جو 24. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  13. ^ The New Arab Staff. "Jordan releases cartoonist Emad Hajjaj after days of arrest for 'offending' the UAE". alaraby. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  14. ^ Tarawneh, Naseem (May 2010). "Hala 3ammi: The Abu Mahjoob Legacy" (PDF). Jordan Business: 55–57. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2013-02-14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. ^ "مبدع شخصيّة "أبو محجوب" عماد حجاج -رسالته حياة النّاس وهمومهم" (in Arabic). Heya. July 2008. Archived from the original on 2014-12-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Further reading