Who Is Latif Rashid?
Latif Rashid is a Kurdish Iraqi politician born in 1944 in Sulaymaniyah who became President of Iraq in October 2022 — the fourth Kurdish person to hold Iraq's highest office, after Jalal Talabani (2005-2014) and Fuad Masum (2014-2018) and Barham Salih (2018-2022).
He is a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and previously served as Iraq's Water Resources Minister from 2003 to 2010, managing one of Iraq's most critical resource portfolios in the post-Saddam period. His election as president continued the constitutional convention of reserving the Iraqi presidency for a Kurdish figure.
He studied in the UK — earning a PhD from the University of Manchester — and spent years in the UK during Saddam Hussein's rule before returning to Iraq after 2003.
Key Takeaways
• Born in 1944 in Sulaymaniyah; PhD from University of Manchester.
• President of Iraq from October 2022 — fourth Kurdish person to hold this office.
• Previously Water Resources Minister of Iraq 2003-2010.
• Senior PUK figure.
• Continues the constitutional convention of Kurdish presidency in Iraq.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Early Life
Born in 1944 in Sulaymaniyah. He studied in the UK, earning a PhD from the University of Manchester. He spent years in Britain during Saddam's rule as part of the Kurdish exile community before returning to Iraq after 2003.
Historical Context
Post-2003 Iraq's power-sharing arrangement reserves the presidency for a Kurd. Latif Rashid's 2022 election continued this arrangement, following in the footsteps of Jalal Talabani, Fuad Masum, and Barham Salih.
Achievements
President of Iraq and Water Resources Minister
Latif Rashid's election as President of Iraq in October 2022 made him the fourth Kurdish person to hold Iraq's highest office. His previous service as Water Resources Minister (2003-2010) addressed one of Iraq's most critical challenges — the management of the Tigris and Euphrates water systems in the post-Saddam period.
Timeline
Debates
His Kurdish identity and his presidential role are established.
Legacy
Latif Rashid is the third Kurdish person to serve as President of Iraq — a continuation of the Kurdish community's hold on Iraq's highest ceremonial office as part of the post-2003 constitutional arrangement.
Connections
Jalal Talabani — first Kurdish President of Iraq; PUK founder
Fuad Masum — second Kurdish President of Iraq
Barham Salih — his predecessor as Kurdish President of Iraq
FAQ
Who is Latif Rashid?
Latif Rashid (born 1944) is a Kurdish Iraqi PUK politician from Sulaymaniyah who became President of Iraq in October 2022 — the fourth Kurdish person to hold Iraq's highest office.
Was Latif Rashid Kurdish?
Yes. He was born in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan and is a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
References
Wikipedia contributors. 'Latif Rashid.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.