Arab CultureFeatured
Arab Culture: The Moment of Joy (Poetry)
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The time I awaited has finally come,
The night welcomed our joy and all we had done.As if promised by beauty and sheer delight,
Serenity mine, as she came into sight.The air was filled with hope and moments of joy,
Surrounded by beauty wherever I turned.I shared such things with good and virtuous people,
As well as damsels of overwhelming beauty.At the top of an old and ancient hill,
Enveloped with trees that surmounted them still.
The night welcomed our joy and all we had done.As if promised by beauty and sheer delight,
Serenity mine, as she came into sight.The air was filled with hope and moments of joy,
Surrounded by beauty wherever I turned.I shared such things with good and virtuous people,
As well as damsels of overwhelming beauty.At the top of an old and ancient hill,
Enveloped with trees that surmounted them still.
Men and boys formed the procession and then,
Were headed and honoured by the Chief of Men.
– His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Nabati poetry shows the natural creativity of the Gulf’s inhabitants and represents their roots in this land. Its form and content, literary significance, social function and historical value make it one of the Arabian Peninsula’s great literary treasures.
