Under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department of the Sharjah Culture Department, in collaboration with the Charity Foundation for Teaching and Promoting the Arabic Language in Nigeria, organised the fifth edition of the Arabic Poetry Forum in Abuja, Nigeria. This year’s theme was “Arabic Poetry… A Bridge between African Civilisations”, attracting numerous poets, cultural figures, and Arabic language enthusiasts.
This forum is part of a series aimed at fostering Arabic poetry across the African continent, aligning with Sharjah’s cultural initiatives designed to promote the Arabic language, support poets and literary talents, and create spaces for interactions among creatives, academics, and Arabic language advocates. Such efforts aim to invigorate cultural and literary movements and establish Arabic poetry as a conduit for communication and understanding between nations and cultures.
Significant Cultural Contributions
The forum welcomed various prominent academic and cultural figures, including Dr. Saleh Musa Jibo from the Islamic Studies Department at Jumeirah University in the UAE, Professor Hajar Haroun Khamis, Dean of the Graduate Studies College at Qalam University in Katsina, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Imam, President of the Academic Association of the Arabic Language and Literature in Nigeria, and Professor Maher Haroun Maher, Acting President of the Nigerian Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies, among others. These individuals, along with university professors, intellectuals, and poets, engaged in discussions highlighting the importance of poetry in preserving national memories and reflecting the values and sentiments of societies.
The Role of Arabic Poetry in Cultural Exchange
Dr. Saleh Musa Jibo emphasized the critical role of poetry in encapsulating the experiences and aspirations of peoples, noting that it transcends mere rhythm and rhyme, serving as a record of communal experience. He highlighted the historical importance of the Arabic language in facilitating cultural exchanges and preserving knowledge, stressing that the ongoing vitality of Arabic poetry in Africa underscores the language’s ability to resonate within diverse cultural contexts.
Dr. Jibo commended His Highness Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of the Arabic language and literature, as well as the cultural initiatives that bolster opportunities for creatives. He also praised the efforts of the Sharjah Culture Department and the Charity Foundation in promoting the Arabic language and enhancing cultural and literary activities.
The forum reflected Nigeria’s growing interest in Arabic poetry, showcasing a literary landscape enriched with diverse poetic experiences that merge traditional heritage with contemporary issues. It also highlighted poetry as a platform for cultural dialogue and connection between Nigeria and the Arab world.
Fostering Literary Talent and Dialogue
Dr. Omar Adam Muhammad, the forum’s general coordinator, expressed his gratitude to the participants and guests, affirming that this fifth edition continues a cultural journey that has fostered poetic talent and broadened communication among poets, academics, researchers, and Arabic language enthusiasts in Nigeria. He noted that the title “Arabic Poetry… A Bridge between African Civilisations” embodies the forum’s mission to utilise poetry as a means of creativity, dialogue, and cultural closeness among peoples, asserting that Arabic poetry has historically conveyed wisdom and values, providing a voice for the human experience.
Dr. Muhammad extended his thanks to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the Sharjah Culture Department for their unwavering support of cultural projects aimed at enhancing cultural relations between Africa and the Arab world.
Poetic Readings and Contributions
The forum featured several poetic readings, with participating poets sharing samples of their literary works that affirmed the presence of the Arabic language within the African context. These pieces explored themes of knowledge, love, and prophetic sentiment.
The poet Mohammed Al-Siddiq Ismail began his contribution with a poem titled “O Best of Those Who Learnt and Taught It”, presenting verses that celebrate knowledge and its transmission:
From the presence of the unseen, you have been endowed with verses
Detailing the mysteries of the ‘Bismillah’ expressions
Inheriting from the builders of mercy’s core,
The true people of knowledge and exalted positions.
Another poet, Noah Mohammed Noah, shared heartfelt lines expressing deep emotional resonance:
Because it’s an idea that has come to my mind,
I embraced it with my heart to light my future,
It arrived as the pulse of light, settled in my veins,
And so, the dream blossomed within my soul and body.