Stamps- Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais 50 Stamps/2 sheets (2001)

Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais

1925-2000

An Emirati poet, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais was born in Hira City of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

His family was fond of education, and he had many relatives who were famous researchers, poets, and writers, such as the famous poet Salim Bin Ali Al Owais, and Ahmed Bin Ali Al Owais.

Sultan, born of a family that loved poetry and literature, was therefore brought up in an educational atmosphere such, that he became one of the most famous poets in the Emirates. His poetry has circulated widely in the Gulf region and other Arab countries. Sultan is well known as a poet in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt and has always been well respected by other well-known Arabian poets, with whom he both met and exchanged poetry. Through such relations he was an ambassador for his country and introduced many Poets to it.

From an early age Sultan became a businessman and like his family was quite successful in this field. Some of his relatives were also quite successful in business such as the Late Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais (Sultan’s father) who was a very successful merchant dealing in pearls until the decline of this trade. Benefiting from the experience of his father, Sultan became a very important businessman.

Sultan worked extensively in the pearl trade and other businesses, often travelling between India and the Emirates and gaining much needed experience.

He wrote several collections of poetry and many scholars have written much about his work.

He wrote poetry over a period of thirty years, spanning two generations of poets in the UAE, and is considered as the best poet to emerge from the Emirates. He is also considered the best-loved poet in the Gulf region. Moreover, he was the founder of an award created in his name.

He was generous and was responsible for many humanitarian, educational, and charitable projects all over the Arabic world. The award bearing his name is considered as the most important and best award in Arab countries. The award was an initiative by him to reward creative Arabs in many fields.

The award has developed and though formerly under the jurisdiction of the writers association, is now under the supervision of the Emirates. It has now become independent by the Amiri Decree No. (4) of 1994 issued by H.H Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Deputy of President UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Sultan was the founder of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was Chairman of Dubai National Bank besides being a member on the Boards of various major companies.

Sultan died on 4th January, 2000.

In commemoration of the Emirati Poet, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and to highlight the role of the Postal service in displaying culture, the General Postal Authority UAE, has issued a set of commemorative stamps in two denominations (50 Fils