An emotional tribute to Palestine

A prestigious Arab cultural institution paid an emotional tribute to Palestine at its annual award ceremony held in Manama yesterday for the first time.

The Al Babtain Poetry Creativity Foundation, holding its eighth annual session in Bahrain, honoured the late Palestinian poet Ibrahim Tawqan this year.

Addressing the opening ceremony Abdulaziz Al Babtain, a Kuwaiti businessman, also the founder of the award said, honouring the renowned poet is in fact a tribute to the Palestinian people and their continuing Intifada against the Israeli occupation.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Crown Prince, who was representing the event's patron, His Majesty the King, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

"Palestine's bleeding wound is our wound. Palestine is not just a small part of our big Arab homeland; she is our honour and honour is never negotiable or dividable."

The foundation also honoured the late Bahraini poet Ibrahim Al Urayyedh, who died last May, and Ali bin Al Muqarrab Al Uyouni, a 12th century Arab poet.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi author Abdul Wahid Loulo'ah won the Criticism Award, worth $50,000 and the Egyptian poet Mohammed Bakheet won the Best Poem Award, worth $10,000.