Taryam Omran Taryam, paragon of Arab cause

On May 16, 2002, Taryam Omran Taryam, an Arab nationalist, seasoned politician, and accomplished media personality, passed away after being overcome by his terminal illness in a London hospital following a life in which he was resilient to the circumstances he faced, the battles he fought and the obstacles he encountered.

- Jihan Shuaib, Staff Reporter

He was a man of free will, unwavering determination and resolve and firm positions. This is evidenced perhaps by the key role that he and his brother Dr. Abdullah Omran Taryam, may God have mercy on them, played in all stages through which the UAE was founded.

His gentle smile still resonates in the hearts of his fans, students and acquaintances; he was gentle and kind, firm and decisive, without arrogance or stubbornness. His humility remains a matter of remembrance and appreciation by those who mixed with him, as a great person needs not to confirm or demonstrate what he truly is.

Reflecting on some of the pivotal milestones in Taryam Omran's career, his political role stands out. He was one of the early Emirati diplomats abroad, by order of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul in peace. He also co-founded the Dar Al Khaleej Press, Printing and Publishing with his brother Dr. Abdullah Omran in 1970, serving as chairman of its board of directors until he passed away.

The late Taryam Omran Taryam was born in Sharjah in 1942. He completed his primary and preparatory education at Al Qasimiyah School in Sharjah. He then moved to Kuwait, where he studied briefly with his late brother, Dr. Abdullah, at Al Shuwaikh High School. They then returned to Sharjah to complete their secondary education at Al Qasimiyah School.

In the early 1960s, Taryam moved to Egypt and enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, Cairo University. There, his Arab nationalist personality crystallized, as he was keen on attending intellectual and political forums and joining Egyptian and Arab student organizations, where he was influenced by the Nasserist vision of leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, which called for independence and unity, and was a key activist in introducing the Egyptian student community to the Gulf Region.