On 23rd September 2026, the Eastern Region Administration of the Department of Culture hosted a poetic reading session at the Kalba Literary Council, themed “For Poetry Brings Forth… and for Verse, There is Presence.” The event featured esteemed poets Mariam Al Naqbi and Nourah Al Shamsi, with Abdullah Ahmed moderating the session. Attending were Rashid Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of the Eastern Region Administration, along with various officials and poetry enthusiasts.
Highlighting Emirati Identity and Heritage
Mariam Al Naqbi, affectionately known as “Sajaya Al Rouh,” inaugurated the session with a poem that celebrated the stature of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Her piece, titled “The Gracious Emirate,” articulated the pride of the region:
الحرف والشعر والإبداع وبحوره
والقلب والفكر والإلهام وشعوره
في الشارجه لو تغنّوا ما يوفوها
إمارةٍ في سجلّ المجد مذكوره
إمارة الشارجه تختال في القمة
في عهد سلطان بالإنجاز مشهوره
Patriotism and Reflective Verses
Nourah Al Shamsi followed with several compositions, including a patriotic poem dedicated to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, entitled “Sun of the Nation.” In her verses, she remarked on the decisiveness and wisdom of the leader:
محمد ولد زايد حكيم ف القرار
يمناه لاضربت على البحر انشطر
وإن قال كلمه هاجت أمواج البحار
ماشي بعد قوله كلامَ يُعتبر
له في سداد الراي ميزان يدار
شيخ إذا فكر سبق ظله الأثر
Personal Reflections and Emotional Depth
The session continued with Mariam Al Naqbi presenting a series of social and emotional poems that resonated deeply with the audience. One of her notable works was “Calendar of Memory,” where she mused on the nature of memories and time:
بعض التواريخ نكتبها.. وننساها
والبعض منها يعيش ويندفن فينا
كم مرّت أحداث عشناها وشفناها
من حاضر اليوم ومن تذكار ماضينا
وبعض المواقف عجزنا مَ نتخطاها
في الذاكره ما تفارقنا.. وتخلينا
Nourah Al Shamsi also shared a poignant poem, “Blind Elder,” where she addressed themes of abandonment and connection:
هملوني ع الخدم شايب ضرير
واتركوني دون وصل ولاسؤالي
واحرموني شوفهم كيف المصير
واقطعوا عني خطوط الاتصالي
شلتهم ع كتاف راحتن وخير
واصبحوا في حالهم وآنا لحالي
Women in Poetry and Closing Recognition
Throughout the session, both poets engaged in discussions about various topics related to poetry, particularly emphasising the role of Emirati women in the literary field. To conclude the evening, Rashid Mohammed Al Zaabi honoured both poets for their contributions to the arts and their cultural significance.