Sharjah (UAE) – African poets have proven that Arabic has become an indelible part of poetry recitation on the continent.
A growing appreciation for poetry from Africa was in the spotlight at the 41st Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2022), which hosted distinguished poets from Africa on the opening night of the 12-day cultural extravaganza at Expo Centre Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The session “Poets of Africa” held on Wednesday night, (2 November 2022), brought together elite poets from Senegal and Nigeria, who spoke about and showcased their poetry on subjects as varied as love and beauty to duty to the homeland and its rulers.
Moderator Dr. Abdulqader Idris opened the panel by noting that Africa has a vast list of intellectuals, thinkers, scientists and scholars, poets and artists, and that the session would offer an excellent primer to a selection of elite poets.
“Scholars in Africa have left an enduring legacy, as their knowledge has spread throughout the continent and chronicled the lives and happenings of the people. A lot of the poetry and creativity we have today is a result of that,” Dr. Idris said.
All of the session’s poets presented their works in Arabic.
Mohammed Hadi Sali Ali Baah, from Senegal, recited his poems about love, destiny, and the captivating beauty of a woman that he compared to the land around him.
He highlighted the importance of cultivating one’s intellect: “It is vital to accord heart and devotion to the food of the mind.”
The Senegalese poet also praised His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his wise deeds and actions.
Nigerian poet Dr. Hamid Al Hajiry’s poems covered a wide range of subjects, including science, literature, arts, culture, knowledge, and civilisation.
Al Hajiry gave a passionate recitation on Islam and praised the culture of, “Intellect, devotion and compassion fostered by Sharjah and its Ruler, carrying forward the true essence and meaning of an Islamic civilisation.”
Tayeb Mustafa Mohamed, also from Nigeria, closed the session by reciting his poetry on life and also praising the Ruler of Sharjah for providing and nurturing the right environment for holding an event such as the SIBF.
Meanwhile, students from across schools in the UAE joined the celebrations of the UAE Flag Day at the book fair, joining SIBF visitors for the flag hoisting ceremony set to the tunes of the National Anthem.
A spirit of patriotic fervour enveloped the festival venue as hundreds of visitors, guests and publishers gathered to watch the Flag Day celebrations.
Flag Day was conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to celebrate the accession of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan as President of the UAE in 2004.
The day is commemorated every year on 3 November, but it is not a public holiday.
