Sharjah24: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Republic of Niger hosted the third edition of the Arab Poetry Forum. This event was organized by the Department of Culture in Sharjah in collaboration with the Niger Literary and Cultural Club in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The forum was part of the Arab Poetry Forums in Africa initiative, aimed at promoting the Arabic language and enriching the presence of Arabic poetry in the region.
The forum represents an extension of the Arab Poetry Forums in Africa, which have been hosted in various African nations, including Chad, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Guinea, and South Sudan. It is set to continue its journey to other countries in the near future, reaffirming its noble purpose and extensive cultural outlook.
At the forum, twelve poets were in attendance, namely: Dr. Othman Junaid, Taj Al Din Mohammed, Wakil Al Hajj Abdul Salam, Abu Bakr Ismail Touri, Abu Bakr Mankila, Abdulbaqi Al Mahmoud, Shams Al Din Gharba, Salem Agh Anar, Ahmed Bad Massi, Anas Ahmed Ibrahim, Sidi Omar Al Kanti, and Al Kadhim Ahmed.
The texts exhibited a diverse range of poetic styles, encompassing Arabic poetic meter, vivid scenes, imagery, descriptive metaphors, and profound symbolic meanings.
The opening ceremony at the Nigerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals including the Director of Higher Arab Education, Dr. Youssef Monkila, President of the Niger Literary and Cultural Club, Amghar Bayan Ibrahim, Vice Chancellor of Al Wefaq International University, Dr. Mohammed Al Khair Ibrahim Jiro, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arabic Language and Humanities at the Islamic University of Niger, Professor Kony Soaliho. The event was also attended by numerous academics, poets, intellectuals, and individuals with a keen interest in Arabic poetry.
During the opening of the Niger Poetry Forum, Amado Ali Ibrahim, the cultural coordinator in Niger, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. He emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "The Niger Poetry Forum returns to us year after year with its crescent, and the poem elevates us in its memory to welcome you again and enjoy meeting you. This commendable initiative comes within the great efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah that he provides for the Arabic language in African countries, in support of its presence and to preserve its ancient heritage."
During the previous sessions of the forum, poets from various governorates of the country have participated, expressing their thoughts on history and their experiences, and paying homage to their homeland and its glory. Each session has unveiled new poetic talents and works, underscoring the forum's impact and the audience's receptiveness to initiatives that enrich creative expressions in poetry and literature in Niger. It is anticipated that future forums will continue to unearth more poetic experiences in the days ahead.
During the current session, the cultural coordinator mentioned that 12 poets with different names but similar desires were brought together by rhyme. The event is not just a poetry gathering, but also a literary, cultural, and intellectual gathering. It celebrated the poles of Arab thought in Niger, the pillars of the Arabic language, and its audience and lovers, including professors, academics, and students, highlighting the strong presence of Nigerien creativity.
Amghar Bayan Ibrahim, President of the Niger Literary Club, expressed gratitude for the participation and highlighted the collaboration with the Department of Culture in Sharjah for the Niger Forum for Arabic Poetry. The forum aims to bring together literary figures and creative poets to explore moments of creativity. The Niger Literary and Cultural Club, in partnership with the Department of Culture in Sharjah, organizes events such as courses, seminars, forums, and literary and cultural evenings to support the development of young people in the literary and cultural field.
Professor Kone Soualiho expressed gratitude to the Sharjah Department of Culture for its efforts and welcomed the attendees. He discussed the relationship between criticism and poetry, emphasizing the integration between the poem and its interpretation. Additionally, he provided commentary on the poets' poems throughout the poetry sessions. In his closing remarks, he once again expressed thanks to all the attendees.
During his address, Ibrahim Jiro expressed his gratitude to the audience and the organizers of this significant forum in the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing the forum's influence in stimulating and commemorating Arabic language activities in the Republic of Niger. Jiro delivered a comprehensive lecture titled "Arab Universities in Niger, Where to?" wherein he discussed the significant challenges confronting Arab universities in the country, outlined the vision for the future, and articulated the anticipated aspirations.
Mankila addressed the committee responsible for the activities. He commended the Department of Culture for its remarkable efforts in organizing these poetry forums and elucidated their significance in our societies, citing the connection of the Arabic language to the true Islamic religion. Mankila underscored that the forum presents a valuable opportunity to revitalize Arabic literature in the country and preserve its authentic heritage. In conclusion, he proposed the compilation of the participating poets' poems for future publication as a collection.
At the conclusion of the forum, the poets in attendance were recognized and presented with certificates of appreciation as a tribute to their outstanding literary contributions
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