Daen Juma Al Tamimi: Tributes paid to Emirati actor's 'valuable artistic legacy'

Tributes are being paid to the Emirati actor Daen Juma Al Tamimi, who has died aged 75.

Al Tamimi, whose death was announced on Thursday, is considered one of the pioneering actors from the first generation of Emirati thespians in the region, leaving behind a five-decade career of dramatic works ranging from the stage and screen.

“The late artist, one of the pioneers of Emirati art, contributed to establishing the renaissance of Emirati and Gulf drama,” Sheika Latifa bint Mohammed, chairwoman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, posted on X.

“He will be missed on screens and theatres, and his artistic works will remain a witness to a journey of sincerity and achievement that strengthened and enriched the cultural scene in the Emirates and the region.”

Al Tamimi began acting in 1971 and was heavily involved in theatrical works and early Khaleeji dramas on the screen. Along with Emirati actors Sultan Al Shaar, Mohamed Al Jinahee, Jabir Naghmoush and Ahmed Al Jassimee, he was involved in several works that established the drama genre specifically for the Gulf region.

“The great artist Daen Juma Al Tamimi, one of the pioneers of art in the Emirates, may God have mercy on him, has passed away,” Emirati actor Habib Ghuloom posted on X.

“Since 1971, he presented many artistic works and contributed to establishing the renaissance of Emirati and Gulf drama.”

Jordanian director Eyad El Khzouz also posted a tribute, calling Al Tamimi a pioneer of the arts in the Emirates who left a "valuable artistic legacy".

Al Tamimi's works on screen include Qoum Antar (The Tribe of Antar) and Fawzeer Jouha (The Riddles of Jouha) both of which aired in 1974; Shaqeeqan (The Brother) in 1976; Asabiaa Al Zaman (The Fingers of Time) in 1982; 2009's Al Jeeran (The Neighbours); 2011's Thilala al Mathie (Shadow of the Past) and Saat al Sifir (The Hour of Zero) in 2016.

Many of his seminal plays were performed in the 1980s and include Tabeeb Raghman Anhou (A Doctor In Spite of Himself) based on the play by the French playwright Moliere, Touba Hal Mara (This is The Last Time), Sir Al Kanz (The Secret of Treasure) and Shareekat Al Ajab (The Partner of Mystery).

In a 2015 interview, Al Tamimi expressed his dedication to acting and how, through the support of his wife, it remained an integral part of his life.

“I could not do without acting in all stages of my life, as I devoted most of my attention to it,” he said. “I consider myself lucky to have a companion who was able to understand this passion and deal with it with ease that contributed to increasing my confidence.”