Fareed Lafta

Who is Fareed Lafta?

Fareed Lafta is an Iraqi pilot and athlete and has set Guinness World Records for being part of the first team to skydive off Mount Everest, and for flying the largest flag whilst skydiving.

He has been hailed as Iraq's superman: a role model for the nation's youth who flies, glides, dives and races motor­cycles. He has already made the Guinness World Records by taking part in the first ever skydive above Mount Everest. But last week Fareed Lafta, a Dubai-based extreme sports fanatic, returned to Baghdad to seek backing for his ultimate ambition – to be the first Iraqi in space.

"I want to represent my country, and to be one of the men like Neil Armstrong and Yuri Gagarin, who showed with all humility what it is to be a good human," said Iraq's pioneer cosmonaut. In his badged blue flightsuit and cap, he cut a curious figure as he lobbied for support among the suits, robes and turbans in Iraq's parliament.

"I don't know the mechanisms, I am not a politician, and I don't want to be. I just need help to send me into space," he said as he dropped into the office of a leading MP from the Sadrist bloc. Before he leaves the earth's atmosphere, Fareed, 30, plans to become the first civilian to skydive above Baghdad since the war – a mark of the improved security environment. He has brought his rig and parachute with him and is ready to go as soon as he can get clearance from the authorities.