The Arab world lost numerous notable figures in 2021, including political, artistic, and literary personalities, primarily due to COVID-19, prolonged illnesses, or sudden incidents. Here are some of the most prominent individuals who departed:
- **Elia Rahbani** (January 4): The Lebanese musician and brother of the late Assi and Mansour Rahbani, who contributed to the "golden age" of Lebanese music with Fairuz.
- **Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud** (January 30): The Saudi prince, who held various military positions, passed away at the age of 73 after a health crisis.
- **Michel El-Murr** (January 31): The Lebanese MP died at the age of 89 due to health complications linked to COVID-19.
- **Luqman Slim** (February 4): The Lebanese writer and political activist was killed in an attack, with circumstances and motives still unknown.
- **Ezzat Al-Alayli** (February 5): The esteemed Egyptian actor passed away at the age of 86.
- **Mourid Barghouti** (February 14): The Palestinian author and poet died in Amman at the age of 77.
- **Kamal Amer** (March 4): The head of the National Security and Defense Committee in the Egyptian Parliament passed away after a distinguished military career.
- **Nawal El Saadawi** (March 21): The Egyptian writer and doctor, a prominent advocate for human and women's rights, died at the age of 90 after a prolonged illness.
- **Michel Kilo** (April 19): The Syrian writer and opposition figure died at the age of 81 due to COVID-19 complications.
- **Samir Ghanem** (May 20): The Egyptian actor passed away at the age of 84 in a Cairo hospital from COVID-19 complications.
- **Hicham Jait** (June 1): The Tunisian academic and historian, a pioneer in early Islam studies, died at the age of 86.
- **Jeha Al-Sadat** (July 9): The widow of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat passed away after a brief illness.
- **Dalal Abdel Aziz** (August 7): The Egyptian actress died at the age of 61 after a battle with COVID-19.
- **Mohsen Ahmed Al-Ayni** (August 25): Former Prime Minister and Yemen's first Foreign Minister passed away at the age of 90.
- **Omar Qandoz** (September 1): The Algerian actor died at the age of 70 due to COVID-19 complications.
- **Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan** (September 4): President of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council in Lebanon passed away.
- **Nassri Hajjaj** (September 11): The Palestinian writer and director died in Vienna at the age of 70 after a prolonged illness.
- **Abdelaziz Bouteflika** (September 17): The former Algerian president died at 84 after serving 20 years before resigning in 2019.
- **Abd El Qader Ben Saleh** (September 22): The former Algerian president who held office temporarily passed away at around 80.
- **Pierre Jamjian** (October 21): The Lebanese actor died at the age of 72.
- **Jamil Awad** (October 28): The Jordanian actor died at 84 after an illness associated with the Palestinian cause.
- **Sabah Fakhri** (November 2): The renowned Syrian artist passed away at the age of 88.
- **Farouk Ahmad Qasrawi** (November 10): The former Jordanian Foreign Minister and advisor to King Abdullah II died.
- **Jazebia Sari** (November 10): The pioneer of contemporary visual art in Egypt passed away at the age of 96.
- **Zahir Ramadan** (November 17): The Syrian actor and head of the Syrian Artists Union died at age 61.
- **Souheir Al-Babili** (November 21): The esteemed Egyptian actress passed away at 84 after a health struggle.
- **Samah Idris** (November 25): The Lebanese writer and editor of the "Adab" magazine passed away after battling cancer.
- **Ghassan Al-Mashini** (December 18): The Jordanian artist and director passed away at 70 due to a heart attack.
