HARGEISA (SD) – The great Somali poet Mohamed Warsame Hadrawi passed away today in Hargeisa, where he had been ill for some time.

The 79-year-old world renown poet passed away at his home in Hargeisa, where doctors were treating him, according to relatives of the family.

Hadrawi was born in the Togdheer region of Somaliland in 1943 but grew up in Yemen. The Somali Shakespeare, as known by many, is believed to be one of the greatest poets in the history of Somali art, and certainly the most famous.

Hadrawi’s most famous songs include Hooyo, Saxarla, Balawdweyn, Araxmaan and many others. He also composed famous poems that have been translated into other languages, and played a prominent role in famous poetry chains, such as Deelay and Siinlay.

The president of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, sent his condolence to the people of Somaliland and the Somali speaking community on the death of the poet Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame (Hadrawi) who died today in Hargeisa.

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has also sent his deepest condolences to the family, relatives and the Somali nation, on the passing of poet Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame (Hadrawi) today in Hargeisa.

The Minister of Interior of Somaliland Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, who is the Chairman of the National Funeral Arrangements Committee for the poet Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame (Hadrawi), the Minister announced that the deceased will be buried tomorrow at Asr prayer, and the funeral will be Baqiq Cemetery.