Sharjah 24: Her Excellency the Jordanian Minister of Culture, Haifa Al Najjar, confirmed that Sharjah has become an Arab cultural hub, noting that the Arabic language is regaining its brilliance and glow thanks to the continuous care of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

This came during a meeting between Her Excellency Haifa Al Najjar with His Excellency Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Owais, Head of the Department of Culture in Sharjah, and Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs in the Department, marking the launch of the eighth Mafraq Festival for Arabic Poetry.

In her speech, Al Najjar also stressed the depth of the historical relations between the UAE and Jordan, which are based on many cooperation initiatives, including the distinguished cultural cooperation with the Department of Culture in Sharjah, which resulted in the Bait Al-Sheir in Mafraq, and other cultural events throughout the year.

Al Najjar added that Bait Al-Sheir in Mafraq and the Mafraq Festival for Arabic Poetry, are the result of great work, as Bait Al-Sheir initiative was launched from Sharjah in 2015.  Al Najjar  noted that Jordan was one of the first countries to respond to the initiative, which is a noble project that Sharjah presents to the Arab world for the protection of the language and its aesthetic aspect.

His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais said that the different activities of the Sharjah Department of Culture in Jordan are the result of cultural cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Culture, expressing his thanks for the efforts made by the Ministry to facilitate cultural cooperation.

Al Owais stressed the keenness of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to pay attention to Arab culture and intellectuals, saying that it is with the support of His Highness, the Department was able, during the previous years, to focus on publications, as the Sharjah Cultural Magazine was issued, tackling Arab cultural affairs. 

The opening ceremony of the festival was held at the National Library in the Jordanian capital, Amman, in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Owais; Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Al Qaseer; the representative of the Jordanian Ministry of Culture; the Director of the National Library, Nidal Al Ayasrah; in addition to Jordanian and Arab intellectuals, writers, and academics, and a large number of poem lovers.

The opening was moderated by the poet Dr. Rashid Issa, stressing at the beginning of his speech that the projects, programmes, plans, initiatives and events that His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah presents to the Arabic language are a major contribution to revitalising the Arab cultural movement in general, and the poetry houses across the Arab countries, pointing out that poetry houses are making a major achievement.

The Head of the Department of Culture conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, saying  that he is honoured to convey the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wishes for the Festival success.

The opening evening of the festival saw the participation of 6 poets, namely, Muhammad Samhan, Hikmat Al-Nawaisa, Muhammad Khudair, Maryam Abu Nawas, Wasfi Al-Mazayda, Iman Abdul Hadi, and the poet Rashid Issa.

The signature corner saw three new publications issued by the Sharjah Department of Culture for the year 2023.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Al Owais and Al Qusayr, accompanied by the contemporary poets, honoured the first poets of Mafraq Festival for Arabic Poetry, by handing them certificates of appreciation, in appreciation of their creative efforts and the qualitative literary addition they contributed to during the readings.

The festival was accompanied by an exhibition of a number of publications of the Sharjah Department of Culture, including: Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al Rafid Magazine, Al Qawafi Magazine, and Al Theatre Magazine. The attendees were able to purchase magazines where they viewed cultural titles that varied between local Emirati, Arab, and international titles.

It is noteworthy that the Mafraq Arab Poetry Festival will continue its second evening in Amman, while on its third and fourth days it will move between Zarqa and Irbid.