Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH -- Famous Saudi singer Abubakr Salim Balfaqih died on Sunday at the age of 78 after protracted illness.

He received treatment in several hospitals in the Kingdom, Germany and a number of other European countries.

Balfaqih was a towering artist who enriched Saudi music. Most prominent among them was “Ya biladi wassili” (My country forge ahead). This was the last song the late Balfaqih sang. It was during the Saudi National Day celebrations in September in Jeddah.

Abubakr Salim Balfaqih, the singer, lyricist and poet became famous in the 70s.

Balfaqih was awarded many medals, prizes and honors. They included the “Golden Cassette” from one of the German distribution companies. He won the UNESCO Prize as the second best voice in the world and the cultural medal in 2003. He won the Prize for Sanaa as the Arab Cultural Capital in 2004. The University of Hadhramout awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in 2003. The General Authority for Sports recently honored him during a ceremony held in the indoor section of the King Abdullah Stadium, Jeddah, in the presence of great Saudi artists.

Balfaqih was also honored in several Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was awarded the first class medal in arts and literature. The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahayan honored him in the Emirates on many occasions.