Female Poets Break 
the Trend in ‘Million’s Poet’ Contest

In its fourth season, the Arab world’s biggest poetry competition, organised and produced by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), has already given reality television audiences a few surprises.

Three female poets qualified to participate in earlier episodes — the first time women have qualified in the competition’s history.

In addition to Jordanian female poet Roba Al Douekat and Saudi female poet Hisa Helal who were qualified by the jury panel in previous episodes, another poet from Jordan succeeded in scoring the highest points during the last episode with a poem inspired by clashes that broke out between football fans from Egypt and Algeria recently.

Poet Halima Abadi was given 46 points out of 50 by the jury panel, which described her poem as powerful, saying it deals with a sensitive issue well and passes on a positive message on Arab unity.

“I was very upset with each team reaction after the game and the poem came to express my feelings and thoughts toward the matter,” Abadi said.

Abadi said women poets in this season were strong.

“I believe at least one of us will battle till the last episode,” she said.

Abadi’s poem is an example of a new trend in Nabati poetry which deals with current social issues where previously the poems were more focused on love and tribes’ prides.

Eight poets will recite their lines at Al Raha Beach Theatre tonight trying to impress the jury panel with their talents.

Poets participating in this episode are: Abdulla Al Jaberi from UAE, Bandr Al Jahni, Saud Al Awaji, Farhan Al Azimi from Saudi Arabia, Ali Al Kabei from Oman , Falah Al Otabei from Kuwait, Mohammed Al Raheidi From Sudan and Muhanad Al Adhamat from Jordan.

Two poets are voted through by the panel and another two are voted through to the next round by the audience’s text messages.

The competition, launched in 2006, aims to preserve one of the most ancient forms of literature in Arabia and a part of Bedouin heritage. The winner of Millions’ Poet will receive an increased grand prize of Dh5 million.

adel@khaleejtimes.com