The Cultural Village Foundation-Katara launched the ‘Katara Prize for Prophet’s Poets’ yesterday at the Drama Theatre.
The prize launched under the slogan “Best poems in praise of the Prophet’ in a ceremony attended by a number of officials including Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Ali Omran Al Kuwari, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Dr Yusuf Al Qaradawi, Dr Abdurrahman Al Ashmawi, Dr Ali Al Qara Daghi, public figures and scholars from different Islamic countries.
The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the website for the competition through which participants can submit their contributions and keep in touch with the organisers.
In his opening speech Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said: “It is a pleasure to announce the launch of the prize at the eve of the holy month of Ramadan. The Prize which is a first-of-its-kind is a minor initiative to express our love to the best of humanity the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
“Through this prize we seeks to realize a number of aims including maintaining high level of Arabic language style and encourage people to recite poems and give attention to poetry as a vital part of Arab heritage and tradition.”
He added that it also aims to encourage reciting poems, which have invaluable good influence in making youth acquire genuine Islamic values, preserve Arab-Islamic heritages and transfer of these values and legacy from generation to another. Therefore we look forward to attract highly talented poets from different parties of the Arab–Muslim world.”
Dr Al Sulaiti announced that five prizes will be given by selecting the poet who composes the best poem praising Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) using his talent and language command, he said.
During the launch of the prize a short film titled “Karara’s Prize for Prophet’s Poet’ was shown and some poems were read by poets.
The prize which carries a total prize money of $675,000 is the biggest such prize of its kind in the region and among the prizes offered by Katara so far.
The prize carries a total sum of $675,000 which includes the first prize of $300,000, second prize $200,000, third prize $100,000, fourth prize $50,000 and fifth prize $25,000.
Regarding the terms and conditions of the Prize, Khalid Abdulrahim Al Sayyed, General Supervisor of the Prize, said last week that the topic of the poem should be about ‘Praising the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)’ written in Arabic language and follows the classical style of Arab poetry. Each poem should not be less than thirty verses and and not more than 60.
Participation is open to poets from different parts of the world between ages of 20 to 60, who should submit the poem together with his CV and publications.
The poem should not be less than 30 rhymes and not exceed 60 rhymes and must not have been published or won any prize before.
It should be written by the participant himself who must bear full oral and legal responsibility of the product.
Entries should be submitted via the website of the Prize not later than December 31.
The jury of the Prize, which is composed of academics and specialists in Arabic language will assess the poems and choose the 10 best poets which will then be given to a higher committee to choose the five winners according to criteria agreed on.
The Peninsula
