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UAE issues limited edition silver coin to mark centenary of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais
The coins will only be available for purchase at the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation headquarters
- PUBLISHED: Mon 10 Mar 2025, 8:06 PM
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais (1925-2025), the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has partnered with the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation to release a limited edition silver commemorative coin.
This initiative coincides with UNESCO’s recognition of Al Owais, widely considered one of the UAE and Gulf region's most influential literary figures.
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Al Owais' name is closely linked to the prestigious Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award established in 1987, which continues to honour exceptional Arab writers and artists, reinforcing his legacy in the cultural sphere.
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The silver coin features a moving verse from Al Owais's poetry on its obverse: “My homeland is my blood, flowing between my wings, as if it and soul are the same."
On the reverse side, a portrait of Al Owais is accompanied by the inscriptions "Central Bank of the UAE" and "Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation" in both Arabic and English. It also includes the phrase "Centenary of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais" in Arabic, the years 1925-2025, and the coin's face value.
Weighing 60 grams and with a nominal value of Dh100, only 1,000 of these silver coins will be issued. The coins will be handed over to the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation and will only be available for purchase at its headquarters.
“We take pride in this collaboration, which reflects the Central Bank's keenness to honouring pioneers of thought and culture who have enriched creativity in the UAE and the Arab world," said Saif Humaid Aldhaheri, the CBUAE’s Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services.
"The issuance of commemorative coins for the centenary of the Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais serves as a tribute to his memory and a recognition of his significant contributions to advancing intellectual and scientific progress in culture, literature and poetry," Saif added.
Abdul Hamid Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, also praised the initiative. "UNESCO's designation of 2025 as the Year of Culture to commemorate the centenary of celebrated Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais came after the organisation made a thorough review of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais’ rich profile of achievements, presented by the National Committee of the UAE for Education, Culture, and Science, during the 42nd session of UNESCO’s General Conference."
The Secretary-General of the Foundation thanked CBUAE for its collaboration in issuing the commemorative coin. He highlighted that the coin would serve as a lasting symbol of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais's rich legacy, honouring his significant contributions to literature and creativity.