Jamil Azar, 89, was the creator of Al Jazeera’s motto, ‘The opinion and the opposite opinion’.
Printed On 4 Jan 2026
Longtime Al Jazeera Arabic anchor and journalist Jamil Azar, a pioneer of the community since its institution three a long time in the past, has handed away.
Director-Basic Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani lauded Azar, 89, in a press release on Sunday as a “distinguished linguist” and the creator of the community’s motto, “The opinion and the other opinion”.
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“Jamil Azar leaves behind a outstanding and lasting media legacy, a status outlined by integrity and excellence, and a deep affect on generations of journalists who discovered from him at Al Jazeera and different establishments the place he served and helped form skilled requirements,” Sheikh Nasser mentioned.
“He was, in each sense, a dwelling college of journalism and a trusted reference in editorial observe, the Arabic language, tv presentation, and newsroom management. All the time beneficiant together with his steering and recommendation, he was recognized for his humility and openness, and remained steadfastly loyal to Al Jazeera, deeply dedicated to its values, standing and status.”
With Azar’s passing, Sheikh Nasser emphasised, Arab media “loses one in every of its most revered figures and Al Jazeera bids farewell to one in every of its brightest and most influential stars”.
Born within the city of al-Husn in Irbid, Jordan, in 1937, Azar started his profession in journalism on the BBC’s Arabic Service, the place he labored between 1965 and 1996 as a information translator and presenter.
Throughout his time on the BBC, Azar held completely different positions, together with producing programmes akin to Politics Between the Questioner and the Respondent and Arab Affairs within the British Press.
In 1996, Azar joined Al Jazeera at its launch on July 30, taking part in a key position within the community’s early years as a information anchor and presenter, internet hosting the programme The Week within the Information.
The Jordanian journalist stepped down from the community in 2011.
