Stamps- Poet / Saeed Bin Ateej Al Hamli (2003)

The well-known UAE poet, Saeed Bin Ateej Al Hamli, was born in 1875 in a place 20 km from Liwa, in the area of Hwaya, a location that figures in one of his poems.

The poet is known for his patriotism, courage, boldness and intrepidity. He engaged in many battles during his lifetime and ultimately died in one of these battles, which mostly took place in the Omani lands.

Bin Ateej showed interest in many activities and careers. He was active in diving and his experiences at sea provided him with a lot of imagery, and helped him understand the feelings and sufferings of divers. He also grazed camels in the pasture around his area. He was enamoured with the beauty of these pastures and his soul was deeply inter-linked with them. In fact, this has appeared in his poetry as a wonderful background to the stories of passion and love, the trips of Bedouins which gathered and separated lovers.

Bin Ateej also worked as a camel driver ferrying travelers. This work provided him with opportunity to interact with travelers and their families. This inspired him to compose his finest poems.

Bin Ateej passed away in 1919, a bachelor.

In commemoration of the legendary UAE poet Saeed Bin Ateej Al Hamli, Emirates Post has, in coordination with the Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi, issued a commemorative set of stamps in two denominations (125 Fils & 175 Fils).