JEDDAH, 17 May 2006 — Saudi journalist Abdullah Nur passed away at the age of 77 of cerebral thrombosis on Monday night.
As a popular columnist in various Saudi newspapers, poet, prose writer and literary critic, Abdullah Nur’s career spanned five decades. He was admired as a pioneer of modernism in Saudi writings. His most famous newspaper column was the “Panting Sun” which discussed seemingly every issue under the sun, including autobiographical reminiscences and social issues. He had a special liking for the lesser-known Arab poets from the ancient time to the modern period. It is an irony that he started his life as a notable footballer playing for the old Al-Ahli Club (presently Riyadh club) although later he left the soccer pitch for literature when he realized that his real vocation was in writing. He also served as the managing editor of the Al-Yamamah newspaper.
