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{{Short description|Somali-born journalist and writer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image = Rageh Omaar.jpg
| name = Rageh Omaar
| image = Rageh Omaar.jpg
| image_size =
| name = Rageh Omaar <br/ > راجح عمر
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|7|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Mogadishu]], [[Somali Republic]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|07|19|df=y}}
| occupation = Journalist, author
| birth_place = [[Mogadishu]], Somalia
| nationality = British
| alma_mater = [[New College, Oxford]]
| origin = {{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Hargeisa]], Somalia
| alma_mater = [[New College, Oxford]]
| spouse = Georgiana Montgomery-Cuninghame
| occupation = [[BBC]] [[reporter]] (2000–2006), author, [[news presenter]], columnist and [[Al Jazeera English]] [[reporter]] (2006 – present)
| religion = [[Sunni Islam]]
| children = 3
| relatives = [[Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame, 12th Baronet]] (father-in-law)
}}
}}
'''Rageh Omaar''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|æ|g|i|_|ˈ|oʊ|m|ɑːr}}; {{langx|so|Raage Oomaar}}; {{langx|ar|راجح اومار}}; born 19 July 1967) is a [[Somali people|Somali]]-born British journalist and writer. He was a [[BBC]] world affairs correspondent, where he made his name reporting from [[Iraq]]. In September 2006, he moved to a new post at [[Al Jazeera English]], where he presented the nightly weekday documentary series ''Witness'' until January 2010. ''The Rageh Omaar Report'', first aired in February 2010, is a one-hour, monthly investigative documentary in which he reports on international current affairs stories. From January 2013, he became a special correspondent and presenter for [[ITV News]], reporting on a broad range of news stories, as well as producing special in-depth reports from around the UK and further afield. A year after his appointment, Omaar was promoted to international affairs editor for ITV News. Since October 2015, alongside his duties as international affairs editor, he has been a deputy newscaster of [[ITV News at Ten]]. Since September 2017, Omaar has occasionally presented the [[ITV Lunchtime News]] including the ''[[ITV News London|ITV News London Lunchtime Bulletin]]'' and the [[ITV Evening News]].

'''Rageh Omaar''' ({{IPAc-en|icon|ˈ|r|æ|g|i|_|ˈ|oʊ|m|ɑː|}}; {{lang-so|''Raage Oomaar''}}, {{lang-ar|{{script|Arab|راجح عمر}}}}; born 19 July 1967) is a [[Somali people|Somali]]-born British journalist and writer. His latest book ''Only Half of Me'' deals with the tensions between these two sides of his identity. He used to be a [[BBC]] world affairs correspondent, where he made his name reporting from [[Iraq]]. In September 2006, he moved to a new post at [[Al Jazeera English]], where he presented the nightly weekday documentary series ''Witness'' until January 2010. ''The Rageh Omaar Report'', first aired February 2010, is a one-hour, monthly investigative documentary in which he reports on important international current affairs stories.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Omaar was born in 1967 in [[Mogadishu]], [[Somali Republic]], to Abdullahi and Sahra Omaar. His father was an accountant who became a businessman, a representative of [[Massey Ferguson]] tractors, founder of the country's first independent newspaper, and was responsible for introducing [[Coca-Cola]] to Somalia.<ref name="Mwro">{{cite news|title=My week: Rageh Omaar|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/nov/12/broadcasting.theobserver|access-date=29 June 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/20/rageh-omaar-tv-journalist-childhood-children-school-mogadishu|title=Rageh Omaar: 'Nothing prepares you for becoming a parent. I just sobbed'|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 October 2017}}</ref> A [[Muslim]], his family is originally from [[Hargeisa]].<ref name="Ppragom">{{cite web |url=http://www.primeperformersagency.co.uk/profile/rageh-omaar/ |title=Rageh Omaar |publisher=Prime Performers Agency |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=15 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415103542/http://www.primeperformersagency.co.uk/profile/rageh-omaar/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Rageh was born in [[Mogadishu]], the capital of [[Somalia]]. He is the son of a wealthy businessman from the northwestern [[Somaliland]] region of [[Somalia]]. A Muslim,<ref name="Ppragom">[http://www.primeperformers.co.uk/presenters/rageh-omaar Prime Performers – Rageh Omaar]</ref> Rageh's family is originally from [[Hargeisa]].

Omaar moved to the United Kingdom at the age of two. He has several siblings: his elder brother, [[Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar]], was a former Foreign Minister of Somalia.<ref name="Rscn">{{cite news|title=Somali cabinet named|url=http://wardheernews.com/News_09/Feb/21_som_new%20_cabinet.html|access-date=29 June 2014|agency=Reuters|date=21 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305053011/http://www.wardheernews.com/News_09/Feb/21_som_new%20_cabinet.html|archive-date=5 March 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==Education==
Rageh moved to the United Kingdom when he was two years old. He was educated at two independent schools: the [[Dragon School]] in [[Oxford]], Oxfordshire and [[Cheltenham College]] in [[Cheltenham]], Gloucestershire. He later studied [[Modern History]] at [[New College, Oxford|New College]] at the University of Oxford.
Omaar was educated at the [[Dragon School]], [[Oxford]], and [[Cheltenham College]] in [[Gloucestershire]]. He then studied [[Modern History]] at [[New College, Oxford|New College]], [[University of Oxford|Oxford]].<ref name="Ppragom"/>


==Journalism==
==Journalism==
===General===
Rageh began his journalistic career as a trainee for ''[[The Voice (newspaper)|The Voice]]'' newspaper. In 1991, he moved to [[Ethiopia]] where he freelanced as a foreign correspondent, working mainly for the [[BBC World Service]]. A year later, he returned to London to work as a producer and broadcast journalist for the BBC. He moved to South Africa after having been appointed the BBC's Africa correspondent. Omaar's wife and children were based there through 2004, and his regular commuting made domestic life difficult.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20029-2027561,00.html | title=Farewell to the front line (for now) | date=7 February 2006 | first=Damian | last=Whitworth | publisher=[[Times Online]] | accessdate=28 August 2007 | location=London}}</ref>
Omaar began his journalistic career as a trainee for ''[[The Voice (British newspaper)|The Voice]]'' newspaper. In 1991, he moved to [[Ethiopia]] where he freelanced as a foreign correspondent, working mainly for the [[BBC World Service]]. A year later, Omaar returned to London to work as a producer and broadcast journalist for the BBC. He moved to South Africa after having been appointed the BBC's Africa correspondent. Omaar's wife and children were based there through 2004, and his regular commuting made domestic life a challenge.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20029-2027561,00.html |title=Farewell to the front line (for now) |date=7 February 2006 |first=Damian |last=Whitworth |newspaper=[[Times Online]] |access-date=28 August 2007 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


His career highlights include reporting live from war-torn [[Somali War|Somalia]] and [[Iraq War of 2003|Iraq]].
His career highlights include reporting live on the conflicts in [[Somali Civil War|Somalia]] and [[Iraq War of 2003|Iraq]].


===At the BBC and the Iraq invasion===
===BBC===
Omaar covered the [[Iraq War|Iraq invasion]] for the weekday BBC news bulletins and [[BBC News (TV channel)|
Omaar covered the [[Iraq War|Iraq invasion]] for the weekday BBC news bulletins and [[BBC News (TV channel)|
BBC News]]. Many of his broadcasts were syndicated across the United States, where the [[Washington Post]] labeled him the ''Scud Stud''.
BBC News]]. Many of his broadcasts were syndicated across the United States, where he became known as the ''Scud Stud''.<ref>{{cite news|title=ITV fails in bid to woo Rageh Omaar|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itv-fails-in-bid-to-woo-rageh-omaar/1089351.article|access-date=2 January 2014|newspaper=Broadcastnow|date=26 February 2004}}</ref>


He has written a book about his time as the BBC's Iraq correspondent called ''Revolution Day''. The book deals with the effects of the [[Saddam Hussein]] regime, [[UN sanctions on Iraq|UN sanctions]] and of the war on Iraqi civilians.
Omaar has written a book about his time as the BBC's Iraq correspondent called ''Revolution Day''. The book deals with the effects of the [[Saddam Hussein]] regime, [[UN sanctions on Iraq|UN sanctions]], and of the war on Iraqi civilians.


Explaining why he eventually left the BBC, Omaar suggested that he wanted to operate independently and to take on assignments for people he wished to collaborate with. He also suggested that the BBC working environment was somewhat exclusivist on a class basis, and that he was guilty of this as well to some degree as a consequence of his public school upbringing.<ref name="questiontime"/>
In 2003, Omaar was the recipient of an [[EMMA|Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy]] award for the best TV journalist.<ref>http://www.emmainteractive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13538&Itemid=3320</ref>


Additionally, Omaar has expressed regret about the way in which he covered the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] during his time as a BBC correspondent. He suggested that he and his colleagues did pieces on Saddam Hussein, his regime and weapons inspectors, giving little coverage to the Iraqi people.<ref name="questiontime">{{cite news |url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,2013401,00.html |title=Question Time: Rageh Omar |date=15 February 2007 |first=Hannah |last=Pool |publisher=[[Media Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref> Interviewed in [[John Pilger]]'s documentary ''[[The War You Don't See]]'' (2010), Omaar also lamented that "one didn't press the most uncomfortable buttons hard enough" and called the coverage "a giant echo chamber".<ref>John Pilger [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/dec/10/war-media-propaganda-iraq-lies "Why are wars not being reported honestly?"], ''The Guardian'', 10 December 2010</ref>
Explaining why he left the BBC, he stated: "I wanted to be an independent journalist who did projects for the people I wanted. I wanted to be free". On being asked if he could have had more influence by staying he replied: "I don't think so. Many people from many backgrounds at the BBC have tried."

Omaar has also referred to the BBC as a "white man's club":<blockquote>"It's the mentality. I'm in some ways guilty of this – I went to public school, I went to Oxford. I speak at a lot of schools with Somali kids and they say, "How do I become a journalist? We may be from the same community, but I don't have your accent." So it's a class thing rather than about being white necessarily. It's much more subtle."<ref name="questiontime"/></blockquote>

Omaar has expressed regret about the way in which he covered the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] during his time as a BBC correspondent: "We ran around, we did pieces on weapons inspectors, Saddam, the regime, and almost nothing about Iraqi people."<ref name="questiontime">{{cite news | url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,2013401,00.html | title=Question Time: Rageh Omar | date=15 February 2007 | first=Hannah | last=Pool | publisher=[[Media Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref> Interviewed in [[John Pilger]]'s documentary ''[[The War You Don't See]]'' (2010) Omaar said: "I'd hold my hand up and say that one didn't press the most uncomfortable buttons hard enough" and called the coverage "a giant echo chamber".<ref>John Pilger [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/10/war-media-propaganda-iraq-lies "Why are wars not being reported honestly?"], ''The Guardian'', 10 December 2010</ref>


===Al Jazeera===
===Al Jazeera===
In September 2006, Omaar joined [[Al Jazeera English]].<ref name="Erobtjaw">{{cite web|url=http://www.emmainteractive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13538&Itemid=3320 |title=Rageh Omaar - Best TV Journalist Award Winner 2002-2003 |website=Emmainteractive.com |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> He served as a Middle Eastern correspondent for its London division.<ref name="Ppragom"/>
Omaar is now a Middle Eastern correspondent for the London Division of [[Al Jazeera English]], and hosts his own monthly investigative documentaries called ''The Rageh Omaar Report''.

During his time with the news organisation, Omaar presented the nightly weekday documentary series ''Witness''.<ref name="Erobtjaw"/> He also hosted the monthly ''The Rageh Omaar Report'', his own investigative documentaries.<ref name="Ppragom"/>


===ITV News===
===ITV News===
In January 2013, it was announced that Omaar would be joining [[ITV News]] as a special correspondent.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title=Rageh Omaar joins ITV News|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/08/rageh-omaar-joins-itv-news|access-date=20 July 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 January 2013}}</ref> He was promoted the following year to ITV News' International Affairs Editor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rageh Omaar goes beyond the headlines for new ITV current affairs series|publisher=ITV Press Centre|date=27 January 2014|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/rageh-omaar-goes-beyond-headlines-new-itv-current-affairs-series#.Uuaf8xBFCM8|access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref>
In January 2013 it was announced that Omaar would be joining ITV News.


Since October 2015, alongside his duties as international affairs editor, Omaar has been a deputy newscaster of [[ITV News at Ten]].
==Awards==
In 2008, Omaar was presented the [[Arab Media Watch|Arab Media Watch Award]] for excellence in journalism.<ref>[http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/32128237/our-writers-win-more-awards Our writers win more awards]</ref>


Since September 2017, Omaar has occasionally presented the [[ITV Lunchtime News]], including the [[ITV News London|ITV News London Lunchtime Bulletin]], and the [[ITV Evening News]].
==Personal life==
In 2000, Omaar married Georgiana Rose "Nina" Montgomery-Cuninghame, the daughter of [[Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame, 12th Baronet|Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame of Corsehill]]. The couple live in [[Chiswick]], west London, with their three children. Rageh has three siblings: an elder sister, Raqiya Omaar, who is a human rights lawyer, another sister Saynab Abdullahi Omaar and an older brother, [[Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar]], who is the Foreign Minister of Somalia.


==Awards and nominations==
Rageh Omaar maintains close contact with his family in Somalia, is an activist for the Somali community, and regularly attends its lectures and events.
In 2003, Omaar was the recipient of an [[Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy]] award for the best TV journalist.<ref name="Erobtjaw"/>


In 2008, he was also presented the Arab Media Watch Award for excellence in journalism.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Matthias |first=Sue |title=Our writers win more awards |journal=New Statesman |volume=137 |issue=4898 |date=May 2008 |page=6 }}</ref>
==Quotations==
* May 2006, Interview with ''[[The Independent]]'': "In the eyes of Rageh Omaar, Western news organisations are perpetrating a "fraud" on their viewers with their misleading coverage of the war in Iraq, the conflict in which he established himself as an internationally-recognised journalist."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article484048.ece | title=Rageh Omaar: The Scud Stud aims for truth | date=15 May 2006 | accessdate=27 August 2007 | location=London | work=The Independent | first1=Joe | last1=Churcher}}</ref>
* May 2006, BBC One's [[This Week (BBC, UK)|''This Week'']]: "When I reported from Baghdad, I never doubted that the invasion would end in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. What I was sceptical about was what would follow afterwards. There was a honeymoon period, and it lasted 24 hours, during that memorable day when the statue of Saddam Hussein was torn down. But that ended the day afterwards, and everything started unravelling from that moment on."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_week/5020238.stm | title=Rageh Omar | date=26 May 2006 | publisher=[[BBC]] | accessdate=27 August 2007}}</ref>


In January 2014 and 2015, Omaar was nominated for the Services to Media award at the [[British Muslim Awards]].<ref name="asianimage1">{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/united_kingdom/10978079.British_Muslim_Awards_2014_winners/|title=British Muslim Awards 2014 winners|publisher=Asian Image|date=31 January 2014|access-date=1 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="asianimage2">{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/business/11745550.British_Muslim_Awards_2015_finalists_unveiled/|title=British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled|publisher=Asian Image|date=23 January 2015|access-date=1 November 2015}}</ref>
==See also==

* [[Michael Symmons Roberts]], author of the book ''The Miracles of Jesus'' that accompanies the TV series
==Personal life==
Omaar is married to [[Alexander technique]] instructor<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ninaomaar.com/about-me/ | title=About Nina Omaar - Teacher of the Alexander Technique in West London }}</ref> Georgiana Rose "Nina" Montgomery-Cuninghame, the daughter of [[Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame, 12th Baronet|Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame of Corsehill]]. The couple live in [[Chiswick]], [[West London]], with their three children.<ref name="Mwro"/>

Omaar maintains close contact with his family in [[Somaliland]], is an activist for the Somali community, and regularly attends its lectures and events.<ref name="Mwro"/>

Omaar became unwell during a live broadcast of the ''ITV News at Ten'' on 26 April 2024. ITV subsequently confirmed that he was 'receiving medical care'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rageh Omaar: ITV newsreader 'receiving medical care' after on-screen behaviour worries fans |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rageh-omaar-receiving-medical-care-after-on-screen-behaviour-worries-fans-13123761?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter |website=[[Sky News]] |access-date=28 April 2024 |date=27 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Frost |first1=Caroline |title=ITV News Anchor Receiving Medical Care After Becoming Unwell Live On Air |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/itv-news-rageh-omar-receiving-medical-care-after-becoming-unwell-live-on-air-1235897210/ |website=[[Deadline (magazine)|Deadline]] |access-date=28 April 2024 |date=27 April 2024}}</ref>


==Other works==
==Other works==
=== Television===
===Television===
* ''An Islamic History of Europe'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/islamic-history-europe.shtml |title=BBC iPlayer - BBC Four |publisher=BBC |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> TV documentary for [[BBC Four]] : August 2005
* [http://www.channel4.com/programmes/race-and-intelligence-sciences-last-taboo ''Race and Intelligence: Science's last taboo'']. TV documentary for Channel 4 : October 2009.
* ''The Miracles of Jesus'',<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/miracles/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822011838/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/miracles/|date=22 August 2006}}</ref> TV documentary for [[BBC One]] : beginning on 6 August 2006
* ''Pakistan's War''. TV documentary for [[Al Jazeera English]] (Mid-Winter Production 2008/09)
* ''The Dead Sea Scrolls''. TV documentary [[BBC Four]] (February 2007)
* [http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2009/01/2009119142752747113.html ''Iran Season'']. TV documentary for [[Al Jazeera English]] : January 2009
* ''Rageh Inside Iran'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfIWvJgRNvo | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521193839/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfIWvJgRNvo| archive-date=21 May 2015 | url-status=dead|title=Behind the Rhetoric The Real Iran BBC Documentary|via=[[YouTube]]| access-date=2 May 2015}}</ref> TV documentary for [[BBC Four]] (Feb 2007)
* [http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2008/10/2008102413412988551.html ''Islam in America'']. TV documentary for Al Jazeera English : October 2008
* ''Islam in America'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2008/10/2008102413412988551.html |title=Islam in America - General |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> TV documentary for Al Jazeera English : October 2008
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/islamic-history-europe.shtml ''An Islamic History of Europe'']. TV documentary for [[BBC Four]] : August 2005
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/miracles/ ''The Miracles of Jesus'']. TV documentary for [[BBC One]] : beginning on 6 August 2006
* [http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=4679426685869498072 ''Rageh Inside Iran'']. TV documentary for [[BBC Four]]
* ''The Dead Sea Scrolls''. TV documentary [[BBC Four]]
* ''Immigration: The Inconvenient Truth'', a three part [[Channel 4]] [[Dispatches (TV series)|Dispatches]] documentary, on how immigration has affected Britain, using [[Enoch Powell]]'s 1968 ''[[Rivers of Blood]]'' speech as a starting point (7 to 21 April 2008)
* ''Immigration: The Inconvenient Truth'', a three part [[Channel 4]] [[Dispatches (TV series)|Dispatches]] documentary, on how immigration has affected Britain, using [[Enoch Powell]]'s 1968 ''[[Rivers of Blood]]'' speech as a starting point (7 to 21 April 2008)
* [http://www.frrme.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=48 ''The Vicar of Baghdad'']. TV documentary [[ITV1]]
* ''The Vicar of Baghdad'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frrme.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=48 |title=Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East |publisher=Frrme.org |date=26 July 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327180506/http://www.frrme.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=48 |url-status=dead }}</ref> TV documentary [[ITV1]] (2008)
* ''Pakistan's War''. TV documentary for [[Al Jazeera English]] (Mid-Winter Production 2008/09)
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012mkh7 ''The Life of Muhammad'']. TV documentary for [[BBC 2]]. This is a three-part series, which had its first showing on 11 July 2011 on [[BBC Two]] from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. The final edition of the series was on 25 July,on [[BBC 2]] 9 -10 pm. People on the programme included [[Karen Armstrong]].
* ''Iran Season'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2009/01/2009119142752747113.html |title=Iran season - General |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> TV documentary for [[Al Jazeera English]]: January 2009
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01g6gdz ''Panorama - Ivory Wars: Out of Africa'']. TV current affairs documentary [[BBC1]] : 12 April 2012
* ''[[Race: Science's Last Taboo|Race and Intelligence: Science's last taboo]]''. TV documentary for Channel 4 : October 2009.
* ''[[The Life of Muhammad]]''. TV documentary for [[BBC 2]]. This is a three-part series, which had its first showing on 11 July 2011 on [[BBC Two]] from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. The final edition of the series was on 25 July, on [[BBC 2]] 9 -10 pm. People on the programme included [[Karen Armstrong]].
* ''[[Panorama (TV series)|Panorama]] - Ivory Wars: Out of Africa'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01g6gdz |title=BBC One - Panorama, Ivory Wars: Out of Africa |publisher=BBC |date=25 May 2012 |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> TV current affairs documentary [[BBC1]] : 12 April 2012
* ''[[The Ottomans: Europe's Muslim Emperors]]'', BBC2, September 2013


===Books===
===Books===
* ''Revolution Day: The Real Story of the Battle for Iraq'', [[Penguin Books]] (2005), ISBN 0-14-101716-3
* ''Revolution Day: The Real Story of the Battle for Iraq'', [[Penguin Books]] (2005), {{ISBN|0-14-101716-3}}
* ''Only Half of Me: Being a Muslim in Britain'', Viking (2006), ISBN 0-670-91509-2
* ''Only Half of Me: Being a Muslim in Britain'', Viking (2006), {{ISBN|0-670-91509-2}}

===DVD===
* ''The Ottomans: Europe's Muslim Emperors'' (region 2)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{itv.com|id=news/meet-the-team/rageh-omaar/|title=Rageh Omaar}}
*{{Twitter}}
* [http://media.guardian.co.uk/studentmediaawards/story/0,1308,660356,00.html Guardian Interview]
* [http://media.guardian.co.uk/studentmediaawards/story/0,1308,660356,00.html Guardian Interview]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3028179.stm BBC News: Our man in Baghdad]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3028179.stm BBC News: Our man in Baghdad]
Line 87: Line 99:
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3250371.stm BBC News: Reporter Rageh Omaar takes new role]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3250371.stm BBC News: Reporter Rageh Omaar takes new role]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5174170.stm Rageh Omaar to explore Jesus miracles]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5174170.stm Rageh Omaar to explore Jesus miracles]
* {{Muckrack}}
* [http://www.thestirrer.co.uk/ro1902071.html Interview with The Stirrer at a book signing] "The Stirrer"


{{s-start}}
{{Authority control|VIAF=65162491}}
{{s-media}}
{{succession box
| before= [[Nick Robinson (journalist)|Nick Robinson]]
| title= International Affairs Editor, ''[[ITV News]]''
| years= 2014–present
| after= Incumbent
}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Alastair Stewart]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Newscaster, ''[[ITV News at Ten]]''|years=2015–present}}
{{s-aft|after=Incumbent}}
{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Omaar, Rageh}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Al Jazeera people]]
[[Category:Al Jazeera people]]
[[Category:Alumni of New College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of New College, Oxford]]
[[Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists]]
[[Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists]]
[[Category:British male writers]]
[[Category:British non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:British non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:British people of Somali descent]]
[[Category:British reporters and correspondents]]
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[[Category:British Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:British Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:British television journalists]]
[[Category:British television journalists]]
[[Category:Black British television personalities]]
[[Category:Ethnic Somali people]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Somalian writers]]
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
[[Category:Somaliland people]]
| NAME =Omaar, Rageh
[[Category:Black British journalists]]
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
[[Category:English people of Somali descent]]
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =Somali journalist
[[Category:Male non-fiction writers]]
| DATE OF BIRTH =19 July 1967
[[Category:Montgomery-Cuninghame family]]
| PLACE OF BIRTH =[[Mogadishu]], Somalia
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Omaar, Rageh}}

[[ar:راجح عمر]]
[[nl:Rageh Omaar]]
[[so:Raage Oomaar]]

Latest revision as of 12:50, 23 October 2024

Rageh Omaar
Born (1967-07-19) 19 July 1967 (age 57)
Mogadishu, Somali Republic
NationalityBritish
Alma materNew College, Oxford
Occupation(s)Journalist, author
SpouseGeorgiana Montgomery-Cuninghame
Children3
RelativesSir John Montgomery-Cuninghame, 12th Baronet (father-in-law)

Rageh Omaar (/ˈræɡi ˈoʊmɑːr/; Somali: Raage Oomaar; Arabic: راجح اومار; born 19 July 1967) is a Somali-born British journalist and writer. He was a BBC world affairs correspondent, where he made his name reporting from Iraq. In September 2006, he moved to a new post at Al Jazeera English, where he presented the nightly weekday documentary series Witness until January 2010. The Rageh Omaar Report, first aired in February 2010, is a one-hour, monthly investigative documentary in which he reports on international current affairs stories. From January 2013, he became a special correspondent and presenter for ITV News, reporting on a broad range of news stories, as well as producing special in-depth reports from around the UK and further afield. A year after his appointment, Omaar was promoted to international affairs editor for ITV News. Since October 2015, alongside his duties as international affairs editor, he has been a deputy newscaster of ITV News at Ten. Since September 2017, Omaar has occasionally presented the ITV Lunchtime News including the ITV News London Lunchtime Bulletin and the ITV Evening News.

Early life

[edit]

Omaar was born in 1967 in Mogadishu, Somali Republic, to Abdullahi and Sahra Omaar. His father was an accountant who became a businessman, a representative of Massey Ferguson tractors, founder of the country's first independent newspaper, and was responsible for introducing Coca-Cola to Somalia.[1][2] A Muslim, his family is originally from Hargeisa.[3]

Omaar moved to the United Kingdom at the age of two. He has several siblings: his elder brother, Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar, was a former Foreign Minister of Somalia.[4]

Education

[edit]

Omaar was educated at the Dragon School, Oxford, and Cheltenham College in Gloucestershire. He then studied Modern History at New College, Oxford.[3]

Journalism

[edit]

General

[edit]

Omaar began his journalistic career as a trainee for The Voice newspaper. In 1991, he moved to Ethiopia where he freelanced as a foreign correspondent, working mainly for the BBC World Service. A year later, Omaar returned to London to work as a producer and broadcast journalist for the BBC. He moved to South Africa after having been appointed the BBC's Africa correspondent. Omaar's wife and children were based there through 2004, and his regular commuting made domestic life a challenge.[5]

His career highlights include reporting live on the conflicts in Somalia and Iraq.

BBC

[edit]

Omaar covered the Iraq invasion for the weekday BBC news bulletins and BBC News. Many of his broadcasts were syndicated across the United States, where he became known as the Scud Stud.[6]

Omaar has written a book about his time as the BBC's Iraq correspondent called Revolution Day. The book deals with the effects of the Saddam Hussein regime, UN sanctions, and of the war on Iraqi civilians.

Explaining why he eventually left the BBC, Omaar suggested that he wanted to operate independently and to take on assignments for people he wished to collaborate with. He also suggested that the BBC working environment was somewhat exclusivist on a class basis, and that he was guilty of this as well to some degree as a consequence of his public school upbringing.[7]

Additionally, Omaar has expressed regret about the way in which he covered the invasion of Iraq during his time as a BBC correspondent. He suggested that he and his colleagues did pieces on Saddam Hussein, his regime and weapons inspectors, giving little coverage to the Iraqi people.[7] Interviewed in John Pilger's documentary The War You Don't See (2010), Omaar also lamented that "one didn't press the most uncomfortable buttons hard enough" and called the coverage "a giant echo chamber".[8]

Al Jazeera

[edit]

In September 2006, Omaar joined Al Jazeera English.[9] He served as a Middle Eastern correspondent for its London division.[3]

During his time with the news organisation, Omaar presented the nightly weekday documentary series Witness.[9] He also hosted the monthly The Rageh Omaar Report, his own investigative documentaries.[3]

ITV News

[edit]

In January 2013, it was announced that Omaar would be joining ITV News as a special correspondent.[10] He was promoted the following year to ITV News' International Affairs Editor.[11]

Since October 2015, alongside his duties as international affairs editor, Omaar has been a deputy newscaster of ITV News at Ten.

Since September 2017, Omaar has occasionally presented the ITV Lunchtime News, including the ITV News London Lunchtime Bulletin, and the ITV Evening News.

Awards and nominations

[edit]

In 2003, Omaar was the recipient of an Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy award for the best TV journalist.[9]

In 2008, he was also presented the Arab Media Watch Award for excellence in journalism.[12]

In January 2014 and 2015, Omaar was nominated for the Services to Media award at the British Muslim Awards.[13][14]

Personal life

[edit]

Omaar is married to Alexander technique instructor[15] Georgiana Rose "Nina" Montgomery-Cuninghame, the daughter of Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame of Corsehill. The couple live in Chiswick, West London, with their three children.[1]

Omaar maintains close contact with his family in Somaliland, is an activist for the Somali community, and regularly attends its lectures and events.[1]

Omaar became unwell during a live broadcast of the ITV News at Ten on 26 April 2024. ITV subsequently confirmed that he was 'receiving medical care'.[16][17]

Other works

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Books

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  • Revolution Day: The Real Story of the Battle for Iraq, Penguin Books (2005), ISBN 0-14-101716-3
  • Only Half of Me: Being a Muslim in Britain, Viking (2006), ISBN 0-670-91509-2

DVD

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  • The Ottomans: Europe's Muslim Emperors (region 2)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "My week: Rageh Omaar". The Guardian. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Rageh Omaar: 'Nothing prepares you for becoming a parent. I just sobbed'". The Guardian. 20 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "Rageh Omaar". Prime Performers Agency. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Somali cabinet named". Reuters. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  5. ^ Whitworth, Damian (7 February 2006). "Farewell to the front line (for now)". Times Online. London. Retrieved 28 August 2007.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "ITV fails in bid to woo Rageh Omaar". Broadcastnow. 26 February 2004. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  7. ^ a b Pool, Hannah (15 February 2007). "Question Time: Rageh Omar". London: Media Guardian.
  8. ^ John Pilger "Why are wars not being reported honestly?", The Guardian, 10 December 2010
  9. ^ a b c "Rageh Omaar - Best TV Journalist Award Winner 2002-2003". Emmainteractive.com. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  10. ^ Plunkett, John (8 January 2013). "Rageh Omaar joins ITV News". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Rageh Omaar goes beyond the headlines for new ITV current affairs series". ITV Press Centre. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  12. ^ Matthias, Sue (May 2008). "Our writers win more awards". New Statesman. 137 (4898): 6.
  13. ^ "British Muslim Awards 2014 winners". Asian Image. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  14. ^ "British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled". Asian Image. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  15. ^ "About Nina Omaar - Teacher of the Alexander Technique in West London".
  16. ^ "Rageh Omaar: ITV newsreader 'receiving medical care' after on-screen behaviour worries fans". Sky News. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  17. ^ Frost, Caroline (27 April 2024). "ITV News Anchor Receiving Medical Care After Becoming Unwell Live On Air". Deadline. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  18. ^ "BBC iPlayer - BBC Four". BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  19. ^ [1] Archived 22 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ "Behind the Rhetoric The Real Iran BBC Documentary". Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Islam in America - General". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  22. ^ "Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East". Frrme.org. 26 July 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  23. ^ "Iran season - General". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  24. ^ "BBC One - Panorama, Ivory Wars: Out of Africa". BBC. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
[edit]
Media offices
Preceded by International Affairs Editor, ITV News
2014–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Deputy Newscaster, ITV News at Ten
2015–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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