Arabic Language Celebrated Through Poetry in Juba

(JUBA COUNTY) – South Sudan has hosted the fourth edition of the Arab Poetry Forum, an event aimed at promoting Arabic language and culture across Africa. Held in the capital, Juba, the forum was conducted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

It was organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture’s Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with the Union of Muslim Scholars of South Sudan.

The event, themed “Excellence and creativity, leadership and advancement,” is part of a broader cultural initiative that has already brought Arabic poetry forums to countries including Chad, Guinea, Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire.

The initiative seeks to strengthen Arabic’s presence across the African continent through poetry, knowledge sharing and artistic exchange.

Dr Mohammed Gai Lokwaj, President of the Union of Muslim Scholars of South Sudan and the forum’s General Coordinator, officially welcomed participants. He praised Sharjah’s cultural leadership and described the forum as a practical reflection of its vision to use culture as a bridge for communication, peace and identity preservation.

Lokwaj highlighted the importance of giving young poets a platform to express themselves in Arabic, especially in countries like South Sudan where multiple languages and cultural identities intersect.

The forum drew a wide range of participants, including poets, academics, diplomats and religious leaders. Notable attendees included Mohy El-Din Salem, Representative of the Arab League in South Sudan, Sheikh Dr Abdullah Borg Rual, Secretary-General of the Islamic Council, Sheikh Hamdin Shakirin bin Lawal Al-Owaili, Grand Mufti of South Sudan and Sheikh Dr Mohammed Kual Kwat, Secretary-General of the Union of Muslim Scholars. Also present was Professor Paul Deng, a prominent academic from the University of Juba and former Director of Upper Nile University.

In his address, Mohy El-Din Salem thanked Sharjah for its continued support of Arabic culture in Africa. He noted that such events serve not only as cultural celebrations but also as platforms for building stronger ties between Arab speaking regions and African societies through creativity and education.

Sheikh Dr Abdullah Borg Rual emphasised the deeper civilisational and spiritual values embedded in the Arabic language. He stated that Arabic is more than a means of communication. It is a bearer of identity, history and heritage that can bring people together, even across diverse communities such as those in South Sudan.

The poetry recitals that followed explored themes ranging from emotional reflections to social issues and national pride. Performances merged classical and contemporary poetic styles, showcasing both the traditional richness and evolving nature of Arabic literature.

Poems like “I am the South” by Yousef Gai Qoul and “For you, my country” by Martin Wadah Mian were particularly well received. Both pieces expressed deep affection for homeland and identity while illustrating the poetic potential of Arabic in African settings.

Organisers expressed optimism that this initiative would continue expanding across Africa. The programme is supported by Sharjah’s Department of Culture.