It is said that when an Arab man falls in love with a woman, he spends sleepless nights composing the most intimate and romantic kind of poetry for her.
But while expressing his love for his land and country, he catches the fever, reciting nationalistic poems that often go back hundreds of years, unwavering in their intensity.
"When I say, 'I miss her warm embrace, her silky touch, her soothing song', wouldn't you also fall in love with the desert when I describe it like that?" the renowned Emirati poet Rashid Sharar asks.
"Before, a poet would limit his poetry to the area where he lived and the stories that happened there," said Sharar. "That way we can trace back what happened where and when."
One of the earliest Emirati poets whose work has survived to this day is Al Majidi ibn Daher, who lived in Ras Al Khaimah in the 17thcentury.
His poems captured the struggles of seamen of that time. His verses also captured the habits and stories of the most prominent bedu tribes as he travelled across the desert.
"You can find old poems, some pre-Islamic, that comment on every aspect of life, from the most mundane - like complaints about lack of water - to irresponsible youth, to tribal marriages and battles that help us trace our own history," said Sharar, who has been writing poetry for more than four decades, since he was 18 years old.
Looking over his own collection of poems, Sharar notices a transformation from the more localised poems to ones that address "global" events, and can be viewed as more "consumer"-oriented.
"During the pan-Arab era of the 1960s and early 1970s, poems were all about that. When poets and poetesses now write, they keep the audience in mind," he said.
Popular locals shows such as Prince of Poets and Millions Poet, where Arab poets compete for prizes, are testament to the survival of this oral heritage, even if its content is veering towards more commercial topics.
However, not all poetry has a "special meaning", according to Ahmed Rashed Thani, another famous Emirati poet and author.
"I sit and write about whatever comes to mind. Poetry is part of our lives like breathing," said Thani, 49.
With titles such as Tears of a Candle, Eye of the Laughing Seagull and Inside the Cage, Thani's poems have commented on every aspect of life.
"Poetry is more just about identity, it is a reflection of a society, where it has been and where it is heading," he said.
"If you want to know what is the latest issue in a community, look at the poems being composed by its members."
rghazal@thenational.ae
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
Ticket prices
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