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Al Jazeera Icon Jamil Azar Passes Away at 89

1/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Jamil Azar, a pioneering journalist and longtime Al Jazeera anchor, has died at 89.
He was celebrated for integrity and influence on generations of journalists.
Al Jazeera's Director-General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani praised him as a distinguished linguist and the creator of the network's motto, "The opinion and the other opinion."
He began his career at the BBC Arabic Service before joining Al Jazeera at its 1996 launch.

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Story summary

Jamil Azar, a pioneering journalist and longtime Al Jazeera anchor, has died at 89.
He was celebrated for integrity and influence on generations of journalists.
Al Jazeera's Director-General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani praised him as a distinguished linguist and the creator of the network's motto, "The opinion and the other opinion."
He began his career at the BBC Arabic Service before joining Al Jazeera at its 1996 launch.