Poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais was born in 1925 in the town of Al Hira, Sharjah, UAE. Raised in a family deeply rooted in literature and culture, he belonged to a distinguished lineage of poets, researchers, and writers, including Emirati poet Salem Bin Ali Al Owais, historian Omran Al Owais, and writer Ahmed Ali Al Owais, among others.
Growing up in an environment steeped in knowledge and literary pursuits, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais emerged as one of the most prominent poets of the UAE. His poetry gained widespread recognition, earning him renown across the Gulf region and the Arab world.
Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais was widely recognised in prominent literary circles across Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt, where he built strong friendships with many renowned Arab poets and writers. His relationships were marked by mutual poetic exchanges and dedications, allowing him to serve as a cultural and poetic ambassador for his country.
Alongside his literary pursuits, Sultan developed a deep passion for trade from an early age. Coming from a family with a long-standing tradition in trade, he gained practical experience by working alongside his father. His business ventures flourished, spanning multiple sectors, including the pearl trade, which took him between India and the Emirates, where he achieved significant success.
Poet Sultan Al Owais published a collection of poetry that has been the subject of extensive study by critics and scholars. Many literary figures have analysed his work, and these studies were later compiled into a book published by the Emirates Writers Union under the title “Sultan Al Owais: A Merchant Who Loved Poetry”.
Although his poetic output was relatively limited, Sultan Al Owais remains one of the UAE’s most prominent poets. He is recognised as a key literary figure bridging two generations of writers and poets and is regarded as one of the leading romantic poets in the Arabian Gulf. His first poetry volume compiles his works published in newspapers, magazines, and independent collections, cementing his enduring influence on Arabic poetry.
Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais dedicated part of his wealth to establishing the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award, which later evolved into a full-fledged cultural institution under Decree No. (4) of 1994 issued by the Ruler of Dubai. Today, the Award stands as one of the most prestigious cultural accolades in the Arab world.
Beyond his contributions to literature, Al Owais was deeply involved in charitable and humanitarian work, both within the UAE and across the Arab world, leaving a lasting impact in cultural and philanthropic spheres.
Throughout his lifetime, he received numerous awards and honours, most notably recognition from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In recognition of his significant influence on Arab culture, UNESCO has designated 2025 as the year to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, paying tribute to his enduring literary and cultural legacy.
