N'djamena: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the fifth Arab Poetry Forum in Chad commenced in N'Djamena, marking another milestone for Arab Poetry Forums in Africa.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was organized by the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with the Chadian Literary Club. The two-day forum gathered 50 poets, both male and female, from various regions of the country. The initiative aligns with the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to bolster the Arabic language and enhance the presence of Arabic poetry across Africa, recognizing their role in fostering dialogue, cultural awareness, and literary creativity.
The opening ceremony was graced by Dr Saleh Berma, Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation; Abdullah Suleiman, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts, representing the Minister of Culture; Mohammed Al Mehairi, Charg© d'Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Chad; Dr Hussein Massar Hussein, former minister and adviser to the President of the Republic; Hassan Mohammed Abakar, Head of the Youth Corner Programme; members of the scientific committee, academics, and cultural figures.
Dr Saleh Berma acknowledged the UAE's contribution to supporting Arab culture and commended the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in advancing the Arabic language and literature, as well as encouraging creative talent across Africa. He noted the progress in Chad's literary movement, highlighting the growing use of classical Arabic and an increasing number of poets and writers, which reflects the country's cultural development. He urged for sustained efforts to discover and cultivate emerging literary talent.
Abdullah Suleiman emphasized Sharjah's role in promoting Arabic language and literature, noting the collaboration between Chad's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts, and the Sharjah Department of Culture in organizing the forum. He noted that such initiatives provide valuable opportunities to support writers, discover new talent, and reinforce Arabic literature in Chad.
Professor Al Qasim Mahmoud Zakaria, a member of the forum's scientific committee, stated that the committee reviewed over 70 submissions comprising more than 100 poems before selecting over 47 poets to participate, based on academic and artistic criteria. He highlighted the committee's focus on encouraging young poets and emerging writers alongside established literary figures, reflecting the forum's mission of discovering talent and supporting the next generation of Arabic poets in Chad.
The forum included poetry readings that explored themes of patriotism, identity, humanity, and shared civilizational values, showcasing the richness of Chad's literary scene and the role of Arabic poetry in fostering dialogue and mutual understanding.
