UAE prominent journalist Abdul Razzaq Ismail passes away at 79
- Last updated: September 25, 2025 | 20:22
Abdul Razzaq Ismail, assistant managing editor of Al Khaleej newspaper, passed away on Thursday after a career spanning over 4 decades, during which he left a clear mark on the media industry. He was 79.
The late journalist earned a postgraduate diploma in public law in 1972, followed by a diploma in administrative sciences in 1973 from Cairo University, before joining Al Khaleej in 1979, where he held several positions including assistant managing editor and editorial secretary.
He also headed the home and features sections, and dozens of journalists learnt a lot from him and made use of his expertise.
Known for his constant keenness on inquiring about his colleagues and checking on them, Ismail was distinguished by his simple and humble style and was an example of patience and dedication.
This approach made him a true mentor to all who dealt with him, whether in following up on reports or reviewing articles, which earned him the respect and love of his colleagues, who used to rely on him to hone their journalistic skills.
Al Khaleej contacted colleagues of the deceased, who expressed their love and appreciation for his significant contributions to journalism, emphasizing that his death was a great loss on both the professional and personal levels.
Writer and journalist Wael Al Jishi said: “I was shocked by the news and am trying to gather the thoughts that are turbulent inside me. I have memories of the late Abdul Razzaq Ismail over 33 years, as we worked together at Al Khaleej newspaper. Ismail did not like to appear in public, even though he was a poet. I feel that his death was a loss and that no words would do him justice.”
Writer and poet Fawaz Al Sha’ar said: “I knew the deceased over 20 years ago when I started working at Al Khaleej newspaper. He was a distinguished media and cultural figure, and our professional and human relationship was special. He also had a good relationship with everyone and would visit his colleagues at their workplaces to check on them.