Dr. Rami Abu Shehab
Doha: Qatar University (QU) marked World Poetry Day to promote the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching poetry throughout the world. Professors from QU’s Arabic Language Department shared their views on poetry.
To celebrate, Unesco named March 21 World Poetry Day. The celebration seeks to raise awareness of the importance of this treasured form of expression. Practiced throughout history, poetry has been an important way to communicate and to display one’s linguistic and cultural identity.
Lecturer of Arabic Language Dr. Rami Abu Shehab explained that the power of technology and the blurring of boundaries between reality and dreams has created confusion in understanding the world.
He believes the world has lost the primitiveness of language, and poetry is waiting for the next revolution to regain that spirit.
Meanwhile, Assistant Professor of Arabic Language Dr. Mahrous Mohammed said, “Allah (SWT) bestows abilities and talents on whoever he likes, but the talent remains hidden in the soul until an expert reveals that talent and removes the cover.
“The poetry system begins by replicating previous great poets in weight and rhyme. As time passes on, the novice poet discovers that he sloughs off in imitation.
He starts flying in his poet world with his own words and dictionary, and the people recognize him for his own, unique poetic style.”
Associate Professor of Arabic Language Dr. Loui Khalil commented, “Poetry has always been a record for Arabs as they chronicled their life, culture, and attitude towards the world and which continues till today. However, poetry is not exclusive to Arabs; all civilizations have found poetry as a space for expression and a fantasy place in which they can secure their place in this universe.”
According to Dr. Khalil, poetry’s standing has declined slightly compared to other arts, but this does not –and should not- diminish its place among readers and scholars.
In Arab culture, Arabs have a very special relationship with poetry historically and culturally. To harness this relationship, academic institutions must give attention to poetry and endorse it to return to its former glory.
