Meet Iraq's iconic cheerleader who marches to the beat of his own drum

When Mahdi Al Karkhi enters the stadium, it is as if the president has just walked in. Crowds erupt in cheers as he tilts his head in acknowledgement and gives them a regal wave.

But it is not long until he breaks character, drumming on his tablah and shouting orders to compliant fans who sway from side to side in tandem with the Iraqi football team's unofficial mascot.

Mr Al Kalkhi, 64, has been a fixture at Iraqi matches for more than 30 years and his reputation certainly precedes him.

A selfie opportunity with him is as sought after as a picture with a star player.

Once spotted – and dressed in a home-made thobe made from Iraqi flags, he is not difficult to pick out of a crowd – fans of all ages clamber over themselves to snap a photo with him.

“I am the number one cheerleader in the world and in Iraq,” Mr Al Karkhi says as he prepares to warm up the Iraqi crowd before their team faces off against Iran in the Asian Cup on Wednesday.

"I don't have a job. This is my life – every time Iraq plays I am there with them."

He does have a family – a wife, children and “many grandchildren” – but that has never stopped him from following his team wherever they go.

“I went with the team to the World Cup and this is the 10th Asian Cup I have attended with them,” Mr Al Karkhi says proudly.

He began cheerleading for his team in 1976 during the Asian Cup, where Iraq finished in fourth place.

"I stitched this thobe and went there with a drum and did my thing," says Mr Al Karkhi. "The people liked me and started to recognise me everywhere I go."

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He has since become an online sensation and found himself in the company of presidents and famous footballers such as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

"I was also honoured by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed [Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces] for a video I posted on YouTube paying tribute to Sheikh Zayed [the Founding Father]," says Mr Al Karkhi.

He is interrupted by organisers who usher him into the stadium to get the crowd excited before the match gets under way.

He hurries inside with his drum tucked under his arm and begins signalling to the crowd like a maestro distributing roles to a rowdy orchestra.

He runs from left to right shouting orders at one group of fans to chant and the other to stand up and clap.

When Iranian fans begin to drown them out with a synchronised cheer, he turns serious and pushes his way up the stairs and through the crowds – where he is not supposed to be – to find a better vantage point.

He grabs a larger drum from his assistant and leads an even louder cheer from the Iraqis.

He kisses the forehead of his assigned security guard apologetically and carries on.

Mr Al Karkhi has become a legend in his home town of Baghdad, where he is granted access to any stadium.

"He painted his car in Iraq's colours, so wherever he goes people spot him," says his friend Mohammed Dalash, who attended Wednesday's match. "And when he is not in the stadium, he always wears the green colour in the Iraqi flag, even if he is at a funeral."

Wamedh Al Kuraishi played football for Iraq during the 1970s and recalls hearing Mr Al Karkhi's cheers.

"For countless times we played and he cheered for us, we all love him," says Mr Al Kuraishi, 60. "The man lost his voice because of us!"

ARSENAL IN 1977

Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland

Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal

Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal

Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham

Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)

Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal

Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich

March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom

Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal

Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal

Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester

How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.

• For more information visit the library network's website.

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?

Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

THE TWIN BIO

Their favourite city: Dubai

Their favourite food: Khaleeji

Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach

Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

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Power: 134bhp

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Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

What are the influencer academy modules?

Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
Cinematography, shots and movement.
All aspects of post-production.
Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
Tourism industry knowledge.
Professional ethics.

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.