Who was Ousha Al Suwaidi, the Emirati poet honoured by a Google Doodle?

Abu Dhabi designer Reem Al Mazrouei worked on the search engine's illustration

Ousha Al Suwaidi has been honoured in a Google Doodle. All photos: Google / Reem Al Mazrouei

Reem Al Mazrouei illustrated the doodle, including three early drafts that are displayed on the search engine

Al Suwaidi is one of the greatest Nabati poets of the 20th century

She was born in 1920 in Al Ain and died aged 98 in 2018

Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, or Ousha the Poet, was honoured by Google on Monday with a dedicated Doodle.

One of the greatest Nabati poets of the 20th century, Al Suwaidi was recognised on this day in 2011 for her contributions to literature.

At the event, other established writers and poets recited Al Suwaidi's works in her honour and founded an annual award for female Emirati poets in her name.

A library at the Emirates International School and a section of the Women's Museum in Dubai, were also dedicated in her honour.

Abu Dhabi artist Reem Al Mazrouei created Monday's Google Doodle.

Her illustration of Al Suwaidi is ethereal, as her hijab floats in the wind, encircled by doves and swirling clouds.

There are three earlier drafts of Al Mazrouei's sketches to see on the description page, too.

It can be seen on Google across the Arab world.

Who was Ousha Al Suwaidi?

Al Suwaidi was born on January 1, 1920, in Al Ain.

She was fondly nicknamed by all who knew, loved and admired her Fatat Al Khaleej, the Girl of the Gulf and later Fatat Al Arab — Girl of the Arabs.

She also gained the nickname Gulf Laureate Poet, as she wrote so many poems in such a short period of time, according to Abu Dhabi Awards.

Her family loved literature and so she was surrounded by poetry from an early age. At 15, she won national recognition for her poetry recitals, opening doors for women in a then male-dominated field.

Poetry by Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi at the Women's Museum in Deira. Antonie Robertson / The National

Her works even inspired the poetry of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, as he honoured her in 1989 with his first published collection where he coined her nickname, Fatat Al Arab.

Her work, written in Nabati vernacular style, explored themes such as love, wisdom, patriotism and nostalgia, and the desert landscapes of the Arabian Gulf inspired her. She touched on her experiences in the UAE, as well as the country's culture and history.

She was also inspired by classical poetry by the likes of Al Mutanabbi, Abu Tammam and Al Ma'arri, as well as the work of local poets such as Al Majidi bin Thahir, Rashid Al Khalawi, Saleem bin Abdul Hai and Mohsin Hazzani.

Al Suwaidi died in July 2018 aged 98, leaving behind a lasting legacy that has lived on through songs and poems by other popular singers and poets, as they are inspired by her work even today.

When she died, Sheikh Mohammed led tributes mourning her death.

“Our country lost a great symbol of literature, wisdom and poetry. Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Fatat Al Arab,” he wrote on Twitter.

“May Allah have mercy on her and rest her soul in Paradise and grant patience and solace to her family and us,” he said.

“Fatat Al Arab has left behind treasures of literature and poetry which will continue to tell her biography and she will always be remembered.”

Google pays homage to the Mena region

The search engine often pays tribute to famous figures across the Mena region.

Earlier this month, it honoured Egyptian scientist and marine biologist Hamed Gohar, who was known by a whole generation of Arabs as the host of Sea World, a TV show he fronted for more than 18 years.

Last month, it celebrated the life of Moroccan singer Haja El Hamdaouia, who influenced generations of artists with her innovative style of Moroccan chaabi music.

Earlier, it marked what would have been Egyptian historian Mostafa Abdel-Hamid El Abbadi's 94th birthday.

Scroll through the gallery below to see other regional Google Doodles over the past few years

A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google

Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous

Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday

UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.

Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.

Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.

Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.

Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.

Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.

Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.

Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.

The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.

A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.

Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.

Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.

Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.

Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.

Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.

Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.

Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.

A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.

A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.

Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.

Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.

Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.

Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.

Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.