Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Muhammad Hamza, one of the pioneers of the Saudi drama movement, died on Wednesday at the age of 87. He was an icon of Saudi drama who made outstanding contributions in various capacities to the Saudi theater scene.

Hamza was born and brought up in Zaqat Al-Tayyar region in Madinah. Later, he moved to the city of Jeddah where he worked as an employee in a civil aviation company. Then he dedicated his entire life to the drama playing various roles such as an actor, playwright, and writer of serials. He also produced dramas.

Hamza involved his sons — namely Wael and Louai — with him in most of his works. Among his most famous works are The Fingers of Time, The Fulfillment of Love, The Agony of Silence, and the Wedding.

He played the starring role in serials such as “People of the Country” in 2013 and “A Night of Escape” in 1989, and he also participated in the serial “Zeer Salem”.

In 2006, Hamza was honored at the Cairo Radio and Television Festival in recognition of his contributions to Arab art. He had a special taste for local drama through works that, despite the long years, are still immortal in the memory of the public, such as “The Fingers of Time.”

A number of artists, cultural figures and intellectuals mourned the demise Hamza, making obituary references to him on the social media. They recalled his many talents that produced a large number of works etched in the minds of the Arab viewers.

Muhammad Salama, a researcher and critic specialized in Saudi art, said: “The great artist, # Muhammad Hamza, the pioneer in the Saudi drama movement, died shortly before.” Several media persons and artists also condoled his death through the hashtag # Muhammad Hamza, circulating his pictures and sharing their memories.