Longtime Al Jazeera Arabic anchor and journalist, Jamil Azar, has died at the age of 89.
Azar, a pioneer of the network since its establishment nearly three decades ago, was widely described as a towering figure in Arab journalism.
In a statement on Sunday, Al Jazeera Director-General, Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, lauded the late journalist as a “distinguished linguist” and the author of the network’s motto, “The opinion and the other opinion.”
“Jamil Azar leaves behind a remarkable and enduring media legacy, a reputation defined by integrity and excellence, and a profound influence on generations of journalists who learned from him at Al Jazeera and other institutions where he served and helped shape professional standards,” Sheikh Nasser said.
According to him, Azar was “in every sense a living school of journalism and a trusted reference in editorial practice, the Arabic language, television presentation, and newsroom leadership.”
“He was always generous with his guidance and advice, known for his humility and openness, and remained steadfastly loyal to Al Jazeera, deeply committed to its values, standing, and reputation,” he added.
Sheikh Nasser noted that with Azar’s passing, Arab media had lost “one of its most respected figures,” while Al Jazeera was bidding farewell to “one of its brightest and most influential stars.”
Born in 1937 in Al-Husn town, Irbid Governorate, Jordan, Azar began his journalism career at the BBC Arabic Service in 1965.
He worked at the BBC until 1996 as a news translator and presenter, holding various positions and producing programmes such as Politics Between the Questioner and the Respondent and Arab Affairs in the British Press.
In 1996, Azar joined Al Jazeera at its launch on July 30, where he played a key role in the network’s formative years as a news anchor and presenter.
He also hosted The Week in the News programme on the network.
The veteran Jordanian journalist retired from Al Jazeera in 2011.
