In Memoriam: Tareq Y. Ismael, Faculty of Arts

The University of Calgary was saddened by the death of Faculty of Arts political science professor and the department’s longest serving faculty member, Dr. Tareq Y. Ismael, who unexpectedly passed away in Calgary, on Oct. 25, 2024.  

He died without warning: at full strength, mid-stride, after a morning preparing for classes, having put the last touches on a book the week before and plans for three new ones in the works. 

He lived a storied life and left behind a void that won’t be filled. He was predeceased by his wife and intellectual partner of 60 years, Dr. Jacqueline S. Ismael, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Social Work. He is survived by his daughters Shereen (husband Randy) and Jenann (husband Brien)  and grandchildren Nadia, Aisha and Zayd.

Dr. Ismael was the oldest son of a prominent Iraqi family. To keep him busy, he entered school at the age of two. Expected to follow his father and grandfather into politics, he later told his family that he knew by 14 that he wanted, instead, to be an intellectual. He graduated from high school at 14, and university at 19 years old, with first class honors and a degree in political science. He moved thereafter to the U.S., where he earned his MA from Indiana, spent time at the University of Chicago, and completed his PhD. at George Washington University causing trouble every chance he got by challenging dogmas, exposing orthodoxies, and remaining defiant against tyranny in all forms, fearlessly committed to justice in and for the Middle East. 

While at Chicago, he met Jacqueline. They moved to Calgary in 1972 to accept a position at the University of Calgary where he continued to teach until his death. His career spanned 55 years of political turmoil in the Middle East. His first book, Governments and Politics of the Contemporary Middle East, was published in 1970. He went on to publish an astonishing 34 books (many co-authored with Jacqueline), six edited volumes, and over 60 articles. 

The impact of his work on Middle East scholarship is incalculable. Many of his publications have been translated into multiple languages; they have become indispensable resources, are broadly read and widely taught.

“Dr. Tareq Ismael was Political Science’s longest serving faculty member, with almost 55 years of continuous service. He worked under every department head,” says Dr. Roberta Rice, professor and head, Department of Political Science. “As a new head, talking with Tareq was like talking to the university itself. For me, he was an important source of support and encouragement. He will be missed.”

Many works were co-authored with Jacqueline. Jacqueline passed away 18 months before him after a long illness, through which he remained steadfastly at her side. Nobody could talk him out of the chair he slept in at the hospital long after anyone thought it normal or healthy, or discourage his constant presence at rehab where he spent every moment he could take from teaching through a three month stay, just keeping her company (“keeping her spirits up”, as he used to say.) 

Dr. Ismael co-founded with Jacqueline, the International Journal of Contemporary Iraqi Studies, which later became the Journal of Contemporary Iraq and the Arab World and shepherded it successfully into its present state. When she passed away, he committed himself to continuing their joint legacy by overseeing the journal’s direction, recruiting authors, reviewing articles, and organizing each edition. He was still serving as co-editor at his death. 

Through this role, he honored Jacqueline’s work while ensuring the journal remained a vital platform for discussions on Iraq and the broader Arab world. His dedication to the journal showed his commitment to fostering an informed understanding of Arab issues.

His editorial contributions date back to 2001, with various guest editor roles in respected journals like Arab Studies Quarterly. He co-founded the International Association of Middle Eastern Studies in the late 1960s, and the International Association of Contemporary Iraqi Studies in 2005. He was one of the founders of the Canadian Arab Federation and has been a member of numerous editorial boards and committees related to Middle Eastern studies.

He received innumerable awards for both teaching and research, such as the Social Sciences Faculty Distinguished Research Award and the Most Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Association of Middle Eastern Studies.

His most recent book, Pax Americana, delved into the deep-rooted impacts of U.S. intervention in Iraq, significant critique of U.S. foreign policy and its enduring impact on Iraq. He examined how ongoing foreign policies have influenced Iraq's development and stability, placing the human costs and political ramifications at the forefront. 

This project held a deep personal significance for Dr. Ismael, as it was the last book he worked on with Jacqueline. The manuscript was initially set for publication by Routledge, which, however, was unhappy with its critique of American foreign policy. Without hesitation, Dr. Ismael pulled the book, strengthened the critique, and published with Palgrave Macmillan instead.

He had a few projects underway at his death, including a book that was a re-visitation of an earlier project focusing on the unique dynamics of Arab African states. This ambitious work aimed to explore the individual histories, cultures, and political landscapes of African states with significant Arab and Muslim influences. Dr. Ismael sought contributions from experts with deep knowledge of each country, planning for a collaborative effort where each chapter would provide an in-depth look at one state’s distinct relationship with Arab-Muslim cultural heritage. 

This project exemplifies Dr. Ismael's dedication to capturing the diversity and complexity of the Arab world’s interactions with Africa.

A more personal project was a tribute to and memoir about his life with Jacqueline. Here he recounted the love story and partnership, he shared with Jacqueline over more than 60 years. Envisioned almost like a play, the memoir was to capture their journey together: their first meeting, shared dreams, and the family they built. The project gave him a way to channel his feelings of loss after Jacqueline’s passing. 

In many ways this book was an expression of his true nature. He was at bottom, a storyteller. If he lived 85 years, he had 1000 years-worth of stories. His happiest place was sitting at the breakfast table telling stories; maqam in the background, drinking tea in tiny cups, talking for hours about places and people shrouded in time. Everyone that spent time at his table, or in his circle, remembers these moments. 

So many have reached out from near and far at the news of his death to share with his family they felt the same. This was a man who truly cared about people, and they loved him in return. He was always ready to listen, guide, and support anyone who needed him. He could charm you into doing things you didn’t want to and then go out of his way to help you, without a second thought for the cost to himself. When he saw someone being treated unjustly, he was the first to speak up and offer support. 

He worked in an academic field fraught with political controversy and many times reached out to people that didn’t know him when they were attacked for political reasons, offering his own stature as protection. 

He was an extraordinary man: brave and kind and loved by so many. He will be missed terribly.

The University of Calgary offers deep thanks to Dr. Tareq Y. Ismael for the contributions he made to the university, his research field and the community at large. 

Thank you to Shereen and Jenann for their heartfelt tribute to their father which was edited for UToday.