Founder of Al Fajr newspaper Obaid Humaid Al Mazrouei passes away at 91 years

The journalistic and media community in the UAE is mourning the loss of Obaid Humaid Al Mazrouei, a trailblazer in the fields of journalism, media, thought, and literature. As the founder and editor-in-chief of "Al Fajr," an esteemed Emirati newspaper, he passed away this morning, Monday, after an illustrious career that spanned over five decades.

With Obaid Humaid Al Mazrouei's passing, the Emirati journalism field has lost a significant media and cultural icon who played a crucial role in shaping the national media's history. He was closely associated with the nation's development since the early days of the Union and left a lasting mark on both the cultural and literary landscapes of the UAE and the region.

Born in Ajman in 1935, Al Mazrouei initially embarked on a career in the oil industry in Saudi Arabia before transitioning to banking. Eventually, he fully committed to journalism, viewing it as his true vocation. He believed in the power of words and media to serve his country and society.

In 1974, Obaid Humaid Al Mazrouei secured a license to publish the newspaper Al Fajr, with its inaugural issue released on March 17, 1975. This publication became an important chronicler of the UAE's development from its early years, its name symbolizing the dawn of a new era for the nation.

Al Fajr started as a weekly newspaper and transitioned to a daily format in 1978, maintaining a significant role in the Emirati media landscape for over five decades.

Beyond journalism, Al Mazrouei was also a poet and writer with a deep interest in culture, literature, poetry, and heritage. Through Al Fajr, he created a platform for these fields, most notably with the Fajr Al Shu'ara (Dawn of Poets) supplement, which played a crucial role in nurturing poetic talent and emphasizing the poetic and cultural movement within the UAE, the Gulf region, and the broader Arab world.

The journalistic and media community in the UAE honors the memory of Al Mazrouei's career, celebrating his contributions to journalism and culture, and recognizing the influence he had on generations of journalists, writers, and intellectuals. He played a vital role in establishing the national press's presence and supported the development of the federal state from its inception.

Throughout his career, Al Mazrouei demonstrated that journalism was more than a profession to him; it was a mission, a national duty, and a way to preserve memories and document the transformations witnessed by the UAE. His career stands as a significant chapter in the history of Emirati journalism.