In collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, Jameel Arts Centre hosts a special Ramadan Poetry Majlis. Inspired by the oral history and storytelling of the region, the Majlis is an opportunity to hear poetry from established and emerging voices from the UAE. The featured poets are Afra Atiq, Najat Al Dhaheri and Alhanouf Mohammed.

The programme will flow between Arabic and English without translation.

This event is part of the Jameel’s Ramadan Nights series of special cultural programming on Tuesday and Friday nights during the Holy Month.

Afra Atiq is an Emirati award-winning poet and PhD candidate, having recently won the Special Achievement Award at the Arab Women Awards and the 2017 ADMAF creativity Award. She has a master’s degree in diplomacy, and has been a featured performer and speaker on multiple platforms. Afra has performed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi and on the Dubai Opera stage. With a passion for learning, education and community service, she spends a significant part of her time taking her craft into schools and universities. She gives back to her community through Untitled Chapters (a community for Emirati women writers).

AlHanouf Mohammed is and an award-winning Emirati poet and writer who has been recognised His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai. Her works include Samawat, Judran and Reeh Youssef and The Road to Japan. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the UAE Writers Union.

Najat Al Dhaheri was born in 1983 and raised in Al-Ain. She is a poet and a member of the Emirates Writers Union. Her poetry is written in the classical and the Nabataean genres. In 2008, she attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Arabic Language and Literature from Emirates University. Al Dhaheri has published five poetry collections and has participated in multiple poetry events across and outside the UAE.