Tripoli— The pioneer Libyan actress Halima Al-Khoja who acted in theater, TV and film for over 50 years has died peacefully at home on Friday 11 April 2025. She was 83.
She was described by the Libyan arts community as the “Mother of Libyan Theater,” after a career spanning more than five decades filled with creative works that established her to be most respected among her colleagues.
Al-Khoja was distinguished by her diverse roles, establishing her as the image and voice of Libyan women in drama. She participated in television and drama productions that touched the hearts of Libyan viewers, including the TV series “Al-Hariba,” (the Fugitive) in which she portrayed the role of a struggling mother, and the series “Al-Kanna” (the Daughter-in-law) in 1998.
She was known in the Arab cinema through films such as “Al-Tariq” (The Road) in 1972 and “Taqrift,” which made a notable mark at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977. Taqrift depicts the 1928 Battle of Tagrift, a village in the Libyan desert, in which poorly equipped and outnumbered Libyan fighters fought the Italian colonial forces. The film showed the women’s role and sacrifices during unbearable circumstances.
Al-Khoja began her acting career in the late 1950s when a female’s enrolling in school or public work was a taboo let alone in acting profession. In 2024, she was honored at the Tripoli Short Film Festival in recognition of her artistic contributions.
The Ministry of Culture and Arts mourned the deceased, noting that during her previous visit to her home, she was described as a humble and patriotic woman who carried the message of art with a pure spirit and rare sincerity.
For its part, the General Authority for Cinema, Theater, and Arts issued an official obituary, expressing its deep regret for the loss of one of the pillars of Libyan art and praising her pure creative legacy, which will remain etched in the history of Libyan art.
The Maghreb Theater Union mourned Al-Khoja saying: “with hearts filled with pain and souls that believe in God’s will and destiny, the Maghreb Theater Union received the news of the passing of the distinguished Libyan artist Hamida Al-Khoja, who passed away after an honorable artistic career spanning more than five decades. During which she inscribed her name in the memory of Maghreb and Arab art and contributed to building the edifice of theater and drama in Libya.”