Somalia's king of melody dies at age of 78

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalia's legendary composer and celebrated musician Abdikarim Farah Qaarey passed away Sunday in the capital Mogadishu at the age of 78, according to the Somali presidency.

Qaarey, also known as Abdikarim Jiir, was born in the town of Hobyo in the country’s north-central Mudug region on Jan. 1, 1944.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed confirmed his death in a statement and sent his "deepest condolences to the family and friends."

Qaarey had been serving as deputy director of Somalia's National Theater in Mogadishu.

Mohamed said Qaarey was a poet, musician and cultural figure who played a key role in the development of Somali art and literature to raise awareness in the Somali community.

"May Allah have mercy on the late Abdikarim Farah Jiir, who has served his country and his people for a long time, especially in the fields of art, literature and cultural development in Somalia," he said in a statement.

Qaarey had been in poor health for a while and passed away while undergoing treatment in Digfer Hospital in Mogadishu, Somali media reported, without describing what kind of illness he was suffering from.