Name: Jamal
Father's name: Hidayat Abdullah
Jamal Hidayat - Musician
Written by: Khalid Omar Osman

$Biography$
His full name is Jamal Hidayat Abdullah. He was born in 1931 in Erbil. The first oud player in Erbil. In 1952, he learned music and the oud under two experienced teachers, one Palestinian and the other Egyptian. Graduated from Baghdad Institute of Fine Arts in 1955. On 03-10-1956 he was employed as a teacher of hymns in Ibn Mustafa and Erbil Ula schools. In 1957, he became a teacher of hymns and music at the Boys' Teachers' College. In the same year, he established the first music and instruments course in Erbil for six months in Ibn Mustafa Hall. In 1958-1959, he founded the first music group in Erbil called Dersim Music Band. In 1959-1970 he participated in all artistic festivals in Erbil as an oud player. In 1971, he was a founding member of the Erbil Arts Troupe and served as chairman of the board for 20 years. From 1973-1991, he was the director of schools' activities in Erbil and participated in all festivals and artistic activities of the Ministry of Education. In 1974-1975, he taught anthem at the Girls' Teachers' College. In 1975, he was a founding member of the Erbil Artists Union. From 1982 to 1991, he was the chairman of the executive committee of the Erbil branch of the Iraqi Artists Union. In 1997, he became the chairman of the executive committee of the Kurdistan Orchestra. From 1996-2004, he was the educational supervisor of elementary school hymns and music.[1]