Honouring Mam Jalal: A Leader Who United Heart

Besha Jawhar

Written by Besha Jawhar, Chief Executive of PUKMEDIA Newsletter.

When we speak of Jalal Talabani, many will remember the titles he carried: founder of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, President of Iraq, negotiator, Peshmerga and statesman. But for most of us, his memory is far more personal. We remember him as “Mam Jalal,” the uncle of the people, a man whose laughter, warmth, and humanity made him unlike any other leader.

What made Mam Jalal special was not only the history he helped shape, but the way he carried himself while doing so. He was approachable and down to earth. He could sit with world leaders in grand halls and hours later share jokes with villagers or listen patiently to a farmer’s concerns. That balance and that rare ability to move between the corridors of power and ordinary life defined his leadership.

He led with humour, often breaking tension in the darkest of moments with a smile or a witty remark. But behind the humour was wisdom, patience, and an understanding of people. He believed that politics was not only about policies or power, but about human connection. It was this warmth and sincerity that made him so deeply loved.

Even in disagreement, Mam Jalal was a bridge. He listened. He respected differences. He made people feel seen. In a world where leadership soften creates distance, Mam Jalal offered comfort and reassurance. That  is  why,  years  after  his  passing, his absence feels so heavy.

As we mark his passing anniversary, the sense of loss is renewed. It is a time not only to mourn, but to reflect on what he stood for and what he left behind. His memory calls on us to look beyond division, to lead with compassion, and to keep alive the values that guided him throughout his life. Each anniversary is a reminder that Mam Jalal is gone, yet his presence continues to live in the hearts of his people.

On this anniversary, I do not only remember a politician; I remember a man who showed us that true leadership is rooted in care and connection. His smile, his kindness, his ability to be both a statesman and a relative, will always be remembered. For all who knew him, Mam Jalal was not just a leader. He was family.