The UAE is mourning the loss of the exceptionally talented and famous Nabati Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, known as Fatat Al Arab (Girl of the Arabs).
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mourned the poet who passed away on Friday at the age of 98.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s twitter 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."
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, also tweeted his condolences on his official twitter account saying, "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."
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 and the post reads, "Her words commemorated our history and religion for decades, and will continue to ring true in our Emirati heritage for generations to come."
The late Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi was born and raised in Al Ain in 1920 and moved later in life to Dubai.
She is regarded as a pioneer Nabati poet and her works were sung by popular Emirati and Arab artists.
Her works even inspired the poetry of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who honoured her in 1989 with his first published collection where he coined her nickname: Fatat Al Arab.
She had retired from poetry in the late 90s and continued to recite poetry on the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) towards the end of her life.
There is an entire floor dedicated to her work at Women’s Museum in Dubai.