Sheikh Saeed bin Nasser bin Ali Al Ghailani

Born in the Omani city of Sur in 1944, died in the Wilaya of Sur in February 2021.

Like the rest of his brothers and peers, he learned the Qur'an and the principles of the Arabic language and mathematics in the city of Sur, where Qur'anic schools (kuttab) and memorisers of the Holy Qur'an were widespread. He then travelled to the State of Kuwait, where he studied primary and intermediate school, after which he enrolled at the Institute of Imamate and Preaching — its certificate being equivalent to the general secondary certificate — and, upon his success, studied for three years to obtain a diploma in the Sharia sciences.

After his return in 1975, the Sheikh took charge of the Directorate of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (as it was formerly known), now the Directorate of Endowments and Religious Affairs, until 1996, when he retired from official work. To this day he still gives lessons and sermons in the mosques of Sur. The Sheikh is a connoisseur of poetry and literature, knowing by heart many poems of classical and folk verse on religious and social themes. He also has articles published in the Oman and Al Watan newspapers.

Source: the book "Personalities from the Omani City of Sur" by Hammoud bin Hamad bin Mohammed bin Juwaid Al Ghailani