Veteran Saudi journalist Talaat Fareed Wafa, Dies at 53

RIYADH: Veteran Saudi journalist and former editor in chief of the now-defunct English-language newspaper Riyadh Daily, Talaat Fareed Wafa, died yesterday in Riyadh after a brief illness.

He was buried at the Ummul Hammam Cemetery following funeral prayers at King Khaled Mosque. A large number of people, including journalists, senior government officials and diplomats, attended the funeral.

Wafa, 53, was adviser to the editor in chief of Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper. He had undergone treatment in the United States for malignancy for over a year.

Wafa graduated in mass communications from King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh and completed his master’s in political communications at the American University in Washington DC. He joined Al-Riyadh newspaper in 1976 as a full-time journalist, soon becoming the managing editor at its Washington Bureau. He was appointed editor in chief of Riyadh Daily in 1989 and became adviser to the editor in chief of Al-Riyadh newspaper in January 2004.

Wafa’s congenial and compassionate nature won him many friends in government, diplomatic and media circles. He interacted professionally with several state leaders, including those from the Middle East, the United States, the United Kingdom and France. His last article published in Al-Riyadh newspaper was on US President-elect Barack Obama and his future policies.