HE Noura Al Kaabi: “The Osha Bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi Award commemorates the legacy of UAE’s greatest symbol of literature, wisdom and poetry”

Coinciding with Emirati Women’s Day Celebrations, the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development (MCKD) and Khalaf Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, today launched the Osha Bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi Award for Nabati poetry. Named in honor of renowned Emirati poet, the late Osha Bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi, the award aims to celebrate poetry and literature in the Arab world and recognise the role of Emirati women in the UAE’s cultural and literary scene.

The Osha Bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi Award will be held annually under the supervision the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

Commenting on the announcement, HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development said, “With this esteemed award, we not only celebrate the legacy of the late Osha bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi, an Emirati symbol of talent, wisdom and literature, but we also aim to inspire the youth to follow in her footsteps. As part of our efforts to preserve and safeguard Emirati heritage, we are invested in reviving an interest in the Emirati vernacular and poetic expression, especially with younger generations.”

Al Kaabi noted that the Award will serves as a valuable platform to shed light on Alsuwaidi’s life and work as an exemplary Emirati woman who valued creativity and tradition. The Award will be an integral factor in discovering and supporting new poetic talent, providing an opportunity for upcoming poets to hone their skills in the literary field.

Khalaf Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group said, "The UAE’s history is enriched by great and influential women who have impacted our Emirati community, culture and society as a whole. The late Osha bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi is such a woman, and as a literary icon of Nabati poetry whose work provided enlightenment for our nation, I am proud to announce the Osha Bint Khalifa Alsuwaidi Award for Nabati Poetry."

The late Alsuwaidi’s mastery of the Nabati verse, a form of vernacular poetry, and her prolific writing that dealt with national and pan-Arab issues, earned her the title of Fatat Al Arab, which translates to Girl of the Arabs, as an influential and inspirational symbol in Arab culture. Alsuwaidi actively engaged in poetry contests with some of the UAE’s greatest poets, including the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Further information, including the terms and categories of the award, will be announced shortly.