UAE leaders offer condolences for death of renowned Emirati pioneer

Dubai - The nation mourns for its great loss.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mourned the death of renowned Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suweidi.

His post reads: "Today, our nation has lost a vibrant symbol of literature and wisdom and poetry... Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suweidi 'Girl of the Arabs'... May her relatives find strength and solace in their loss... The 'Girl of the Arabs' left a literary and poetic legacy which will live on for eternity."

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces, also tweeted his condolences to the bereaved Al Suwaidi family:

"Her words commemorated our history and religion for decades, and will continue to ring true in our Emirati heritage for generations to come."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, also tweeted his condolences regarding the late Girl of the Arabs:

It reads: "We have lost a great poet from the nation's literary scene, Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suweidi 'Girl of the Arabs' who was a pioneer of Nabati poetry... we pray for her family and hope they find solace in this difficult time."

Funeral prayers will be held after Friday prayers at Farooq Masjid in Dubai. Her body will be laid to rest in Al Qouz cemetery.

She was known for her pioneering work in Nabati poetry. She had retired from poetry in the late 90s and recited poetry on the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) towards the end of her life.

The legendary poetess was the L'Officiel Most Inspirational Arab Woman of Duba at Dubai Arab Woman Awards 2011 for her lifelong work in poetry and culture.

Al Suwaidi had been reciting poetry since she was a child and her latest book, written by Dr Rafia Ghobash, had just been published.

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