Hussein Arab

Hussein Bin Ali Arab (1920-2002) was a poet, journalist, and the first Minister of Hajj and Endowments (currently Hajj and Umrah) after its establishment in 1961. He introduced the Law of Institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He served as General Director and Deputy Undersecretary at the ‏Ministry of Interior‏. He was also Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sawt al-Hijaz. He wrote approximately 119 poems, totaling 616 pages, some of which were translated into German and English.

Hussein Arab was born and raised in Makkah al-Mukarramah City. He completed his education in the public schools there and later enrolled in the Saudi Scientific Institute, graduating in 1937. He then turned to journalism and was appointed as an editor at Sawt al-Hijaz Newspaper, which was later renamed al-Bilad Newspaper. After that, he was promoted to Deputy Editor-in-Chief, a position he held for about four years before eventually leaving the field of journalism. Hussein Arab began writing poetry at an early age, and by his late twenties, he started composing and publishing poems. His works were published in Sawt al-Hijaz Newspaper, al-Manhal Magazine, and Umm al-Qura Newspaper.

Hussein Arab gained recognition for his poetic talent, earning several awards throughout his career. His first achievement was winning first place in the 'Aviation Anthem' competition, followed by another award in the 'Military Anthem' poetry contest. He was an advocate for poetic freedom, viewing poetry as an independent literary form governed by the spontaneity of the poetic moment. Influenced by the Romantic movement, he also embraced a reformist approach to poetry. In 1985, he published his complete collection of poetry in two volumes, categorizing his works under thematic sections: Faith, Homelands, The Arab World, Palestine, Anthems, Sorrows, Melodies, and Colors.

After leaving journalism, Hussein Arab was appointed Director of the Government Vehicles Administration Office in 1942, a position he held for about five years. His career then transitioned to the office of the Deputy to the Founding King, where he served as Assistant Director of the Financial and External Affairs Division. In 1950, he joined the Ministry of Interior as Secretary-General before being promoted to Administrative Advisor and later General Director. Eventually, he assumed the role of Deputy for the ministry's Agency Affairs. He resigned from the ministry in 1960, leaving behind a pioneering legacy.

Hussein Arab became the first Minister of Hajj and Endowments (now the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah) in 1961, serving approximately three years. He was also a member of various cultural and literary clubs and institutions.

In 1944, his poetry won first prize in the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Competition. In 1987, he was honored by the Makkah Literary and Cultural Club. He was also awarded the Tenth Summit Medal of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during its 1990 session in Muscat City, the capital of Oman. That same year, he was recognized by the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (now the Ministry of Sport).