Daoud Qais

From the news reports:

For millions of Iraqis, Daoud Qais was the voice of public adoration for Saddam Hussein. Even those who despised Saddam can recite the singer's melodious praise played for years on Iraqi television. ...

The boyish-looking Qais, 55, made pro-regime music that was aired on state-run Iraqi TV even during the American bombings in March.

"We hope you stay alive," were the words of a favorite tune written to soldiers during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. "Long life for you. Long life for our country."

KR 20 May 2003