Poetry deepest literary form in Arab culture: Saudi writer

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, attended the second session of the 14th Ramadan Majlis organised by the Sharjah Press Club, part of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau. The session took place on Wednesday evening in Aljada.

Exploring culture and heritage in Arabic literature

The session, titled “Culture and Heritage in Arabic Literature,” featured Saudi poet and writer Hamoud Al Sahoud and was moderated by Ali Al Alyani. Al Sahoud discussed how Arabic literature, particularly poetry, has preserved cultural and historical heritage. He highlighted the poetic traditions of praise, satire, and love poetry, illustrating their evolution with examples from prominent Arab poets.

Source of pride

Al Sahoud emphasised poetry’s central role in Arab history and identity, serving as both a record and a source of pride. He explored the use of myths and legendary figures in poetry, such as Antarah Ibn Shaddad, whose real-life bravery was elevated to mythical status over time. He explained how poets incorporated elements from their environment and folklore to enrich their verses.

Folk poetry vs. Classical poetry

Al Sahoud noted the strong connections between folk and classical Arabic poetry, explaining that many old poetic themes remain relevant today. Drawing from his personal journey — starting with folk poetry before transitioning to classical poetry — he underscored how both forms share common linguistic and thematic elements. He also discussed unusual words in Arabic poetry, explaining that they often reflect the poet’s environment and that Arab poets traditionally favoured clarity and eloquence over complexity.

Women in Arabic poetry

The session also touched on women’s role in Arabic poetry, initially limited to themes of love and longing. However, Al Sahoud highlighted how female poets later expanded their contributions across various poetic genres. He encouraged modern poets to engage deeply with literature and write for the people, stating that “Poetry lives through its audience and fades without them.”

The legacy of modern poets

Al Sahoud paid tribute to modern Arabic poets such as Mahmoud Darwish, Nizar Qabbani, Nazik Al-Malaika, and Ahmed Shawqi, who built on the legacy of classical masters while introducing innovations like prose poetry. He also emphasised the importance of criticism in poetry, noting that great poets like Al-Mutanabbi welcomed critique as part of their creative process.

When asked whether poetry or novels better preserve history, Al Sahoud firmly supported poetry, calling it “the oldest and deepest literary form” in Arab culture. While he acknowledged that novels can transport readers to different eras through storytelling, he argued that cinema has significantly enhanced the power of novels, whereas poetry remains the ultimate archive of Arab literary expression.

The session concluded with Al Sahoud reciting several of his folk poems and answering questions from attending poets, writers, and cultural figures.

Digital content and reading

Before the main session, a side session titled “When Digital Content Leads You to Books” was led by Kuwaiti content creator Fares Ashour. He shared insights from his journey in digital storytelling, emphasising the value of hard work, self-discovery, persistence, and continuous learning in building a successful content career.

Distinguished attendees

The Ramadan Majlis was attended by several dignitaries, including Asma Bin Taliah, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Executive Council; Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Municipal Council; Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; and Alya Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, alongside media professionals, poets, and cultural figures.