Abdullatif Al-Maimani: A diplomatic icon and eminent journalist

Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi  The Saudi diplomatic corps lost one of its icons and pillars with the passing of Abdullatif AMaimani. The death of Al-Maimani left a great void not only in the diplomatic field but also in the fields of journalism and literature. Al-Maimani chose diplomacy as his career after his graduation from the University of Cairo. However, he used to write columns in newspapers whenever he had free time. His writings were mainly in Arabic. However, he wrote in English when he became the editor-in-chief of Saudi Gazette in the 1980s. Before that, he used to write in Okaz newspaper and at that time the late Rida Lari was the editor-in-chief of Okaz. Lari and Al-Maimani were close friends and classmates while studying at the University of Cairo. Both of them were from Jeddah and perhaps their association dated back to the days of their elementary, intermediate and secondary levels of education in the city. Going down memory lane, I recall that my association with Al-Maimani began when he was appointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after obtaining his degree from the University of Cairo. We worked together at the Protocol Department of the ministry for a brief period of time. Then, I was transferred to another department at the ministry and later to the Saudi embassy in Pakistan. As for Al-Maimani, he stayed with the Protocol Department for some more time and then was transferred to the Saudi embassy in Tokyo. When I was transferred from Pakistan to Tokyo, I was not aware that Al-Maimani was also there as one of the officials at the embassy. At the time of my transfer, I did not personally know any officials of the embassy. Also, I did not inform the embassy about the date of my arrival in Tokyo. Two days after arriving in Tokyo, I took a taxi to the embassy. When I asked the woman at the reception desk about the ambassador, she said that he was not available. Then I asked about other officials at the embassy. She told me the names of other officials, including Al-Maimani. When she informed me that none of the officials had yet arrived at the office, I waited for them at the reception hall. After some time, I saw Al-Maimani enter the building and go to his office. I followed him, but when I entered his office, I realized that he did not know who I was. When I mentioned my name, he thought that I was a Saudi businessman with the same name. He then asked me something about a biscuit. Caught by surprise by this question, I asked him: «What biscuit are you talking about?» He replied: «Aren›t you the person who had a problem with a Japanese biscuit company?» I said: «No, I am your colleague who has come from the Saudi embassy in Pakistan to work with you here in the embassy.» He then expressed his regret and hugged me and wholeheartedly welcomed me to the embassy. My relations with Al-Maimani as a colleague and a friend grew deeper after I joined the Saudi embassy in Tokyo. He was the diplomat in charge of the consulate division at the embassy while I handled administrative affairs. I acted on his behalf when he was on vacation or out of the office for any other reason. Al-Maimani was a good friend, neighbor and colleague. We spent much time together. We usually agreed on most things but differed on certain matters. However, our differences of opinion never spoiled our respect for each other. Al-Maimani was fond of bowling while I was interested in taking up ice skating. In the beginning, I used to fall down and sustain injuries every now and then. However, once I fell down and was unconscious for almost four hours. Although Al-Maimani advised me to stop this dangerous sport, I was not in a mood to abandon it. Then, he used to say: “This is a disease. May Allah help you to recover from it.” When Al-Maimani was transferred to Washington, I felt it was a great loss.  However, this separation did not last long as both of us were transferred to the ministry office back in Jeddah. I came from Tokyo first and then he came from Washington to rejoin the Protocol Department for a second time. When Prince Saud Al-Faisal became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Ali Rida also joined the ministry as undersecretary for economic affairs. Rida set up an economic division and appointed Al-Maimani as its supervisor. As for me, I was soon transferred to India and then to Yemen. After spending a short period of time in Yemen, I returned to Jeddah and joined the economic division as per the directive of Al-Maimani. May Allah forgive Al-Maimani and accommodate him in His Paradise. In the next article, I will shed light on my time with the economic division of the ministry under the captaincy of Al-Maimani as well as with Saudi Gazette as a contributor while he was its editor-in-chief. I also worked at the Saudi embassy in Dhaka when he was ambassador to Bangladesh. — Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at [email protected]