Veteran Emirati poet Rabie bin Yaqut dies at 96

Dubai: Veteran Emirati poet Rabie bin Yaqut bin Johar Al Nuaimi, one of the UAE’s most prominent poets of popular poetry, passed away today (Wednesday).

Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, took to his official X account to mourn the death of poet bin Yaqut, known as the “joy maker” who left behind a rich legacy of distinctive popular poetry.

“Emirati poetry has lost one of its most prominent and unique voices, a veteran poet with a distinctive style. The joy maker, who enriched our conscience and deepened our senses through a beautiful journey, has left behind a rich legacy of creativity. May God have mercy upon poet Rabie bin Yaqut. Sincere condolences and sympathy to his family, relatives, and admirers,” Sheikh Ammar said in a post.

Born in Ajman in 1928, Bin Yaqut began writing poetry at the age of 20. He maintained close friendships with the poets of his generation, particularly Hamad Khalifa Bushahab, with whom he shared a relationship lasting over 55 years. Bushahab published a collection of bin Yaqut's poetry in the late 1980s.

Bin Yaqut was renowned for his humorous and social poetry. He also worked in the theatre, participating in several productions before leaving to devote himself entirely to his poetic works. His poetry was characterized by tenderness, sweetness, and flirtation, avoiding vulgarity, and gained wide public acclaim.