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Saddam Hussein: What's in a Name?

Iraq in a Nutshell
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What's in a name

From Ask Marilyn ®

Q -- Why is it common for Saddam Hussein to be called "Saddam"? We're not on a first-name basis with this guy.

A -- One reason is that Saddam Hussein calls himself "Saddam."  So, like Cher, that's what the press calls him.  Both Arabic and English media in the Middle East do the same.  Another reason is that "Hussein" is his father's first name.  The former dictator's full original name is Saddam Hussein al-Majd al-Tikriti.  The name closest to a Western surname is "Majd." ("Tikriti" refers to his hometown).  Regardless, many American newspapers choose to call him "Saddam Hussein" on first reference and "Mr. Hussein" after that.

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