Ahmed Qandil

Ahmed Saleh Qandil (1911–1979) was a Saudi poet and writer, belonging to the second generation of literary figures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Sawt Al-Hejaz Newspaper (currently Al-Bilad) and previously held the position of Director General of Hajj.

Ahmed Qandil was born in Jeddah City and studied at Al-Falah School, graduating in 1935. He began composing poetry in both classical Arabic and the Hejazi dialect at an early age.

Ahmed Qandil began his career after graduating from Al-Falah School, initially working as a teacher. He later moved to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and assumed the position of Editor-in-Chief of Sawt Al-Hejaz Newspaper (currently Al-Bilad), which he held until 1937. He assumed several government positions before being appointed Director General of Hajj, a post he held for thirteen years. Afterward, he left public service to devote himself fully to literary work.

Ahmed Qandil established an artistic and literary production company in Jeddah, one of the first institutions of its kind in Saudi Arabia. The company produced various radio and television programs.

He composed poetry on various themes and authored an Islamic epic comprising 1,250 verses. He also wrote about love, praise, nature, patriotism, etc. Among his published works are: Diwan Abraj wa Nar (Towers and Fire) and Diwan Aghareed (Melodies), both printed in 1951; Diwan Nar (Fire), published in 1967; Diwan Qaryati Al-Khadra (My Green Village) in 1973; Diwan Abu Arram wal-Bashkah (Abu Arram and Al-Bashkah) in 1977; Al-Lawhat (The Paintings) in 1978; Al-Jabal alladhi Sara Sahlan (The Mountain That Became a Plain) in 1980; and Naqr Al-Asafeer (The Chirping of Birds) in 1981.