Saudi woman poet lashes out at clerics in contest

Saudi woman poet lashes out at clerics in contest

By | 2010-03-28T17:58:00-04:00 March 28th, 2010|Women rights|0 Comments

Abu Dhabi's live poetry talent competition, The Million's Poet, features a Saudi woman poet who lashes out at hard-line clerics, reported the United Kingdom's The Independent on Wednesday.

Hissa Hilal has taken the Arab world by storm with her poetry where she critiques Saudi conservative clerics, earning the praise of the judges and the audience members but also some death threats.

"My poetry has always been provocative," Hilal told the Associated Press. "It’s a way to express myself and give voice to Arab women, silenced by those who knock our culture and our religion."

Last week, Hilal earned her place in the contest’s final with a 15-verse work that was seen as a response to prominent Saudi cleric Sheik Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak’s call for those who advocate the mingling of men and women to be punished with death.

Hilal, dressed in a burqa, recited her verses with passion criticizing preachers who "sit in the position of power", "frightening" people with their religious edicts. She called clerics and suicide bombers "vicious in voice, barbaric, angry and blind, wearing death as a robe cinched with a belt."

Her poem was received with enthusiasm as both judges and audience members cheered.

A message of love

"Hissa Hilal is a courageous poet," said Sultan al-Amimi, one of the show’s judges. He praised her for "expressing her opinion" and "raising an alarm" against extremist clerics.

When asked about the death threats, Hilal replied that it is the sudden fame that concerns her most."I worry the lights of fame will affect my simple and quiet existence," she said.

"My message to those who hear me is love, compassion and peace," Hilal said. "We all have to share a small planet and we need to learn how to live together."

The Million’s Poet was launched in 2006 by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage to encourage poetry. In season four, Hilal’s season, 48 contestants from 12 Arab countries competed, including several women. The final episode where the winner is announced will be broadcast live on Abu Dhabi TV on Mar. 31, 2010.