Saturday 01 / November / 2025
Samarkand: The Sultanate of Oman has successfully added two new Omani figures to UNESCO’s program for commemorating the 50th or 100th anniversaries of significant historical events and globally influential personalities.
The honored individuals are poet Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalili, in recognition of the centenary of his birth, and the renowned Omani linguist, grammarian, and poet Muhammad bin Yazid Al-Azdi, known as “Al-Mubarrad,” marking 1,200 years since his birth. With their inclusion, the total number of Omani figures recognized in this international program has risen to nine.
This achievement was announced during the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held from October 30 to November 13, 2025, in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Poet Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalili was born in the Wilayat of Samail in 1922 and lived there with his family. He was known as the “Prince of Eloquence” for his mastery of language and expression. His writings were distinguished by frequent use of themes such as love, longing, remembrance, and transcendence. He also wrote short stories and plays in poetic form.
Throughout his life, Al Khalili authored nine poetry collections, including _Al-Khayal Al-Wafir_, _Faris Al-Dhad_, and _Bayn Al-Fiqh wal-Adab_. His literary contributions extended to short stories, poetic maqamat, and several plays, most notably _Jadhima wal-Malik_. He passed away in Muscat on July 30, 2000.
As for Al-Mubarrad, he hailed from the village of Maqā‘isa in North Al Batinah Governorate. He was given the title “Al-Mubarrad” by Sheikh Abu Uthman Al-Mazini in recognition of his eloquence and compelling arguments. Among his most famous works are _Al-Kamil_ in language and literature, _Al-Muqtadab_, _Al-Maqsur wal-Mamdud_, and _Al-Ta‘azi wal-Marathi_.
His book _Al-Muqtadab_ is considered the second most important work in Arabic grammar after Sibawayh’s book. It has been a foundational reference for subsequent works in grammar, interpretation, and Qur’anic readings.
Al-Mubarrad was also known for his contributions to the philosophical interpretation of sacred texts, a discipline known as hermeneutics. He often cited poetry and traced words back to their Qur’anic origins to deepen understanding and instill values. In his treatise _Al-Balagha_, he laid out a comprehensive concept of rhetoric, establishing foundational principles and procedural frameworks essential for any artistic expression.
It is worth noting that Oman has previously succeeded in registering seven Omani figures in UNESCO’s commemoration program. These include linguist Al-Khalil bin Ahmad Al-Farahidi in 2005, physician Rashid bin Umairah Al-Hashimi Al-Rustaqi in 2013, encyclopedic scholar and social reformer Sheikh Noor Al-Din Abdullah bin Hamid Al-Salmi in 2015, physician and physicist Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Azdi, known as Ibn Al-Dhahabi, also in 2015, Abu Muslim Al-Bahlani Al-Rawahi in 2019, navigator Ahmad bin Majid Al-Sa‘di in 2021, and historian and poet Hamid bin Muhammad bin Ruzayq in 2023.
