On Friday, Saudi Arabia mourned the death of the renowned Arab poet Ibrahim Khafaji, the author of the kingdom’s national anthem.
After suffering from an illness, Khafaji passed away at the age of 91 and he was buried in the holy city of Makkah, according to Saudi Arabia's Center for International Communication.
Born in Makkah in 1926, Khafaji kicked off his long poetry career at a young age, leaving behind a legacy for generations to come. Various media, cultural, and artistic figures mourned Khafaji, who not only wrote the national anthem but composed several national and lyrical poems that were sung by major artists throughout the Arab world.
Over the weekend, people from across the kingdom poured into Makkah to pay their respects to the late poet.
According to the Saudi Gazette, the deputy head of the cultural and media committee at the Shura council Dr. Abdullah bin Rofoud Al Safyani said that the country had lost one its greatest sons, who composed songs that reached major international arenas.
In the past, Khafaji was the recipient of the King Abdulaziz medal in honor of his achievements.