UAE minister leads tributes to veteran Emirati poet Mohammad Al Gurg

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said the UAE had lost a man of significant cultural stature

Mohammad Al Gurg, who passed away on Sunday, November 8, was a prolific poet and writer. Supplied

Tributes have been paid to Emirati poet Mohammad Al Gurg, who has died.

Born in Dubai in the 1930s, Al Gurg was a major part of the cultural scene during the Trucial States era and post-1971.

UAE ministers and leading cultural figures paid tribute to him on Sunday.

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said the UAE had lost a man of significant stature.

“Today we lost the writer Mohammad Saleh Al Gurg,” Ms Al Kaabi said. “He was an active presence in the cultural scene and a contributor to the enrichment of the National Library.”

Al Gurg was fluent in several languages, including Farsi and Urdu, and had an impressive personal library.

Sultan Al Qassemi, who runs Barjeel Art Foundation, also paid tribute.

“The UAE lost today one of its leading intellectuals, writers and poets,” he said.

Al Gurg was buried in Dubai on Sunday.