Arab Cultural Club hosts discussion on mirrors of poetry

Introducing the book

Muhammad Baba Hamed opened the session with an overview of the book and its author. He explained that Mirrors of Poetry: On Virtues and Noble Morals explores ethics in Arab poetic heritage as values and a message. The book ranks virtues according to their significance in Arab culture, placing generosity first, followed by wisdom, tolerance, and reconciliation. It dedicates pages to poets, covering qualities such as honour, loyalty, courage, ambition, self-discipline, contentment, resilience, patience, optimism, and more.

Baba Hamed added that Dr Sabeel presents poetry as a treasury of philosophy and opinion. He praised the author as a natural philosopher whose writings reflect his personal concerns, interests, and dedication to cultural work, which he has observed over more than a decade.

Poetry and moral heritage

Writer Amr Munir Dahab remarked that Dr Sabeel faced two main challenges in writing the book: addressing traditional poetry as a central subject in contemporary times, and advocating adherence to moral values preserved in Arab heritage—values often disregarded by younger generations. Dahab emphasised that the author confronted both challenges with confidence because poetry and the heritage of ethics are part of his own emotional and intellectual identity.

Dahab also highlighted that poetry is not only the Arabs’ anthology and mirror of life, but a core shaper of their values and sentiments. Poetry has remained prominent in Arab life despite the rise of other literary forms, and it continues to integrate narrative elements while maintaining its central cultural role.

Author reflects on the history of poetry anthologies

Dr Muhammad Abdel Qader Sabeel spoke about his book, beginning with the history of classical poetry anthologies, from Al-Mufaddaliyat by Al-Mufaddal Al-Dabbi, to Al-Asma‘iyyat by Al-Asma‘i, Jamharat Ash‘ar Al-Arab by Abu Zayd Al-Qurashi, and Al-Hamasah by Abu Tammam, one of the most prominent and famous collections.

He emphasised that poetry has always served as a beacon for Arab life, and it is impossible to imagine Arab identity without its celebration of noble morals. Poetry has recorded, expressed, and honoured virtues, preserving the traits of an ideal human character. The book demonstrates how poetry has sustained Arab cultural memory, safeguarded the richness of language, and highlighted virtues across generations.

Preserving cultural memory through poetry

Dr Sabeel concluded that the Sharjah Department of Culture’s support of his work underlines poetry’s role in documenting and transmitting values. His book not only explores noble virtues in Arab poetry but also confirms poetry’s essential function in shaping Arab identity, reinforcing ethics, and celebrating human excellence across time.