By Nermin Al-Houti

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, the 19th edition of the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Foundation’s Poetic Creativity Awards was held in mid-December. The event, named the “Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Session,” featured a speech by Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, who represented His Highness the Amir. In his address, he officially opened the session dedicated to the late poet Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, may Allah have mercy on him.

I was honored to receive an invitation from the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation to attend the event. Unfortunately, I could not be there as it coincided with the first semester exams. However, I made sure to follow every piece of coverage, as the name of poet Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain is one that history will never forget. His words continue to resonate across Arab and international culture.

Whenever I think of him, I recall his ever-present smile, one that radiated warmth and kindness to all. He was a man who stood as a pillar of support for every intellectual, whether Kuwaiti or Arab. He took great pride in ensuring Kuwait’s name was consistently mentioned in Arab and international forums. Throughout my travels with delegations representing the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Foundation, I always witnessed his genuine generosity and respect for others. His deep love for Kuwait and its people shone through in every conversation. He championed the employees of the Foundation, guiding them to take responsibility while always keeping Kuwait at the forefront of their minds and hearts.

During the trips I participated in, I observed firsthand his daily interactions with the Foundation’s team, discussing their progress and planning for the next day’s tasks. No matter how many words I write, they cannot do justice to a man who dedicated his life to promoting culture, Arabism, and Kuwait as a shining beacon of culture in the global landscape. Poet Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain is a man who will remain unforgettable in history, may Allah have mercy on him. In closing, may Allah bless Kuwait, its wise leadership, its people, and all those who reside in the land of the Bride of the Gulf with health, prosperity, and peace.

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