KUWAIT: Kuwait Information Minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said yesterday that iconic singer Abdulaziz Al-Mufarrej, also known as Shadi Al-Khaleej, contributed to documentation of folkloric songs and "genuine Kuwait tradition." Mutairi, also Minister of State for Youth and head of the National Council of Culture, Art and Letters (NCCAL), said that Mufarrej "is highly regarded within the artistic movement in Kuwait, Gulf and Arab regions because of his distinguished works he presented throughout the years."

Mutairi made the remarks while visiting Mufarrej, who is also the board chairman of Kuwait artists society, at his home to inquire about his health condition. Kuwaitis, he said, remembered Mufarrej as a lead singer in national operettas and indeed "setting an example in giving." The minister urged young artists to follow the lead of those iconic artists like Mufarrej. Mufarrej thanked Mutairi for his visit which showed his support to artists.

Effective contributions
Separately, Minister Mutairi mourned with great sorrow writer Saudi bin Jemran Al-Ajmi and poet Mutlaq Al-Mutairi who have passed away. In a press statement, the minister recalled the effective contributions and great roles made by the two deceased in enriching culture, poetry and literature. Poet Mutairi took charge of Al-Jahra popular arts group and was famous for his popular poems that highly widespread inside and outside Kuwait, he added.

Ajmi was a renowned historian who presented the first radio program on the desert's people in Kuwait in 1961, he noted. The writer has several books in both literature and history that have enriched literature movement in the country, the ministry pointed out. He expressed his sincere condolences to the relatives of the two deceased, and the cultural and artistic families. He prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on the deceased's souls, and bring solace to their families. - KUNA