Introduction to Prominent Contemporary Poets
Among the most notable contemporary poets recognized for their brilliance and poetic talent are Mustafa Wahbi Al-Tal (known as Arar), Ibrahim Nagy, and others. The following provides a detailed overview of these significant poets:
Mustafa Wahbi Al-Tal (Arar)
Mustafa Wahbi Al-Tal was born in Irbid, located in the northern part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on May 25, 1899. He is often referred to by his nickname “Arar.” He received his early education in his hometown before traveling to Damascus to complete his studies at the Anbar School, one of the ancient royal schools. His involvement in protests against the Turks led to his exile to Beirut.
Shortly after, Arar returned to Damascus, where he became known for his proficiency in Turkish, French, and Persian. In addition to his numerous prose works, he published a notable poetry collection titled “Evenings of the Wadi Al-Yabis.” Arar passed away in 1949 and was laid to rest in Tel Irbid.
Ibrahim Nagy
Ibrahim Nagy bin Ahmad Nagy Ibrahim Al-Qasabji was born in 1898 in the Shubra neighborhood of Cairo. He developed a passion for reading, encouraged by his father, who gifted him books. This cultivated his mastery of Arabic, French, English, and German.
After completing his primary education, Ibrahim Nagy graduated from high school in 1917. He pursued higher education at the Cairo University School of Medicine and graduated in 1923. He later opened a clinic in Midan Al-Ataba. Among his most renowned literary works (collections of poetry) are “Behind the Clouds,” “Cairo Nights,” “In the Temple of Night,” and “The Wounded Bird.” He also authored short stories, including “Dream City” and “Catch Me, Doctor.” Ibrahim Nagy passed away in 1953 and was buried in Cairo.
Badr Shakir Al-Sayyab
Badr Shakir Al-Sayyab was born in the village of Jikur in southern Iraq in 1926. He is considered one of the pioneers of Arab poetry. Al-Sayyab moved to Baghdad for his education, enrolling at the Higher Teachers’ Institute to study English literature.
He enriched his education in Arabic literature and developed his appreciation for the three poets he referred to as the “Three Giants”: Al-Mutanabbi, Al-Jahiz, and Abu Al-Ala Al-Maari. Some of his most famous poetry collections include “Wilting Flowers,” “Myths,” “The Sunken Temple,” “The Song of Rain,” and “The House of the Peasants.” Al-Sayyab passed away in 1964.
Ibrahim Tuqan
Ibrahim Abdul Fattah Tuqan was born in Nablus in 1905 and is well-known as the brother of the poet Fadwa Tuqan. He received his early education from two teachers who instilled in him a love for the Arabic language and poetry: Sheikh Ibrahim Abu Al-Huda and Sheikh Fahmi Afandi Hashem. For higher education, he traveled to Beirut to attend the American University, excelling in both Arabic and English literature.
Ibrahim Tuqan worked as a teacher at Al-Rashidiah School and served in the municipal department. He later joined a radio station before returning to teaching in Baghdad. However, his health deteriorated, prompting his physician to recommend that he return home, where he passed away in 1941.
Among Ibrahim Tuqan’s literary works is a poetry collection that features many celebrated poems, including “Angels of Mercy,” “Remembrance of the Health of the People of Al-Sham,” “The Freedom Fighter,” and “The Red Tuesday,” among others.
Mufdi Zakaria
The poet and activist Zakaria bin Suleiman (Mufdi Zakaria) was born in one of the Seven Kasbahs of the M’zab Valley in Ghardaïa, southern Algeria, in 1908. He is known for his dedication to his country’s struggles and is celebrated as the “Poet of the Algerian Revolution.” He immortalized his nation’s history in “The Iliad of Algeria.”
Mufdi initially received his education in religious schools, where he studied the Quran and the fundamentals of the Arabic language. He later traveled to Tunisia to further his studies in Arabic and French at Al-Atatara and Al-Khaldounia schools before obtaining his degree from the Zitouna University. Among his prominent literary works are “Under the Olive Trees,” “The Sacred Flame,” “The Iliad of Algeria,” and “Inspired by the Atlas.”