On Sunday evening, the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation held an award ceremony at the Albabtain Central Library for Arabic Poetry to honor the winners of its "Diwan of Shuhada Al-Izza Poetry Competition". The event was attended by diplomatic, intellectual, and cultural figures, along with distinguished guests. The first prize of $15,000 was awarded to the Algerian poet Mouhammad Ebbou for his poem “Chanting of the Wind's Drinker”. The second prize of $10,000 was awarded to the Yemeni poet Waddah Ali Hassir for his poem “A Homeland Praying in Hell”. The third prize of $5,000 was awarded to the Bahraini poet Ahmad Sayed Hashim for his poem “A Martyr Dyed with Roses”.

The judging panel praised the beauty of the texts submitted by the participants, who chose to embody the spirit and sacrifices of the martyrs of glory in their expressive poems.

The ceremony began with the national anthem of Kuwait, followed by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. After that, a speech was delivered by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation, the organization behind the competition.

In his speech, Saud Abdulaziz Albabtain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, stated that the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation has firmly established itself in the Arab and global cultural communities and has developed a distinguished identity since its founding in 1989. He emphasized that the foundation remains committed to the noble goal initiated and championed by his father, Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain—may he rest in peace—which is to encourage and honor Arab writers, poets, thinkers, researchers, and scholars, in recognition of their role in advancing intellectual and scientific progress in the fields of culture, literature, and science in the Arab world.

Saud Abdulaziz Albabtain noted that the foundation received a broad participation from around the world, with a total of 1,410 poems submitted by 1,246 poets representing 36 Arab and foreign countries. This wide participation and the swift response from the poets reflect our confidence, as well as that of our father, may he rest in peace, in the conscientiousness of the Arab poets who are attuned to their nation's issues through their poetry. Poetry is a vital literary art form for defending the homeland, and the poets answered the call with a response that not only met but exceeded expectations. Thanks to their remarkable contributions, both in quantity and quality, the competition has evolved into a comprehensive Arab and humanitarian cultural event.

Saud Abdulaziz Albabtain added that, by the will of Allah, the first book he presents to the Arab library after assuming the role of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation is the result of the call made by his father, Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, may he rest in peace, on October 23 to Arabic poets around the world. This book, “Diwan of Shuhada Al-Izza”, includes selected poems from seven hundred and twelve poets from various Arab countries and some other nations.

Rami Tahboub, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Kuwait, stated: "It is an honor for me to be with you this evening for the award ceremony of the 'Diwan of Martyrs of Glory' competition. This event follows the call made by the late Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain on October 23, a call that resonated with and was answered by hundreds of poets from our great Arab nation. This initiative, originating from the icon of culture and poetry, the late Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, reaffirms the unwavering support of the State of Kuwait, the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation, and its late founder for Palestine, its people, and its cause."

Rami Tahboub emphasized that Palestine was the guiding focus for the late Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, who spared no effort in supporting it both culturally and academically. He donated a major library to the Faculty of Arts at Al-Quds University and provided numerous educational scholarships for students.

The ceremony featured poetic readings by the winning and participating poets, whose verses united in a singular framework, merging their words to depict the suffering and struggle of a people fighting for their cause. Each poet presented their text, offering perspectives on the Arab reality through emotional and visionary poetic lenses that affirm writing as a triumph for the human cause above all. Through their poetry, they were able to challenge the siege and the harsh methods imposed on the Palestinian people. The poets included:

• Mouhammad Ebbou (Algeria)

• Ahmad Sayed Hashim (Bahrain)

• Waleed Al-Sarraf (Iraq)

• Waleed Al-Qallaf (Kuwait)

• Abdullah Al-Filakawi (Kuwait)

• Boshra Abu Sabra (Jordan, residing in Kuwait)

• Hanan Farfour (Lebanon)

• Sumaya Hussein Saleh (Syria)

• Abdulrahman Al-Tawil (Egypt)

• Mohammad Turki Hijazi (Jordan)

• Nadi Hafez (Egypt, residing in Kuwait)

Top of FormAt the end of the ceremony, Saud Abdulaziz Albabtain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, honored the award winners.