Ali Hussain Muhsin Al-Wardi () was an Iraqi sociologist and public intellectual specialized in the field of social history.
Born in Kadhimiya, Baghdad in 1913, to a religious and very traditional family. He grew up defying his family's strict non-modern-educational policy, where his father wanted him to learn a craft instead of reading books. Nevertheless, Al-Wardi grew up with a disliking for work and crafts and a strong liking for books.
He managed to finish his elementary and high school and was awarded the number one student in the Kingdom of Iraq. He later was appointed as a teacher in different elementary and high schools across Iraq, before winning a scholarship to the American University of Beirut, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1943. He was back in Iraq and was forced into marriage per his father's orders.
A few years later, he traveled to the United States to attain his master's and PhD degrees. He earned his master's degree in 1948 from The University of Texas and his PhD in 1950 from the same university. During that time he used to spend his summers in the United Kingdom learning English in available institutes.
He came back to Iraq to start his career in writing many of his books based on the theory of Ibn Khaldun about Al-Badwa (Nomadic society) vs Al-Hadhara (Civil society).
The most important works of Ali Al-Wardi are:
Ali Al-WardiâÂÂs books are published by Al-Warrak Publishing (ïçñ çÃÂÃÂñçàÃÂÃÂÃÂôñ), which serves as the authorised publisher of his works.
An edition of Lamahat Ijtimaÿiyya min Tarikh al-ÿIraq al-Hadith (ÃÂàÃÂçê çìêàçùÃÂé ààêçñÃÂî çÃÂùñçàçÃÂÃÂïÃÂë, Social Glimpses of Iraq's Modern History) was published by Al-Warrak Publishing (ïçñ çÃÂÃÂñçàÃÂÃÂÃÂôñ) in 2007 as part of its editions of the works of Ali Al-Wardi.
On 31 January, 2024, the Iraqi government together with Ora Developers announced the signing of contract to construct a new residential city named "Ali Al-Wardi City". The planned new city, located approximately 25km southeast of Baghdad and spanning a total area of 61 million square meters, includes 120,000 different housing units along with green spaces, urban amenities, and smart city technology to apply cutting-edge standards in sustainability and environmental preservation. The project aims to reduce population pressure on Baghdad. At the time, it was announced as the largest project of its kind to be implemented in Iraq. On 27 January 2025, the design of the city was officially approved by the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works. Later, the name was changed to Madinat Al Ward (literally âÂÂRose CityâÂÂ). Construction began on 6 May 2025.