Department of Culture honours four figures of Mauritanian literature

Sharjah 24

2 days ago

Four prominent figures of Mauritanian literature were honoured in recognition of their contributions to enriching cultural life: poet Mohamed Fall Abdel Latif, linguistics academic Dr Yahya Al Hashemi, language researcher Dr Mohamedou Ameen, and poet Mohamed Al Hafiz Ould Ahmedou.
The forum reflects the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to honour literary figures who have contributed to contemporary Arab culture. This marks the fourth time the forum is held in Mauritania, where it has previously recognised 12 Mauritanian creatives over past editions.
The award ceremony took place at the Conference Hall in Nouakchott, in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture; His Excellency El Houssein Ould Meddou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament in Mauritania; Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the department; the Governor of Nouakchott-West on behalf of the Mayor of Tevragh-Zeina Municipality; as well as a large audience of Mauritanian intellectuals, academics, writers, and the honourees' families.
Enduring cooperation
In his speech, Abdullah Al Owais highlighted the significance of the sustained cultural collaboration between Sharjah and Mauritania, saying:
'We are pleased to meet today at this distinguished cultural event, which continues the journey of cooperation between the Sharjah Department of Culture and the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament. This partnership has led to numerous cultural activities that support Arab culture and reinforce the role of thought and creativity in our Arab societies.'
He noted that the Sharjah Cultural Honouring Forum returns once again to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to recognise a new group of Mauritanian writers and poets, in appreciation of their rich literary contributions. He affirmed that the forum's ongoing engagement with literary figures across the Arab world underscores its aim to enhance the standing of Arab culture, energise the literary landscape, and encourage every writer who pens noble and constructive words.
Al Owais added, 'This continuing cultural cooperation confirms the depth of the fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, nurtured by the wise leadership of both nations.'
He took the opportunity to express deep appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament for its ongoing cooperation in delivering joint cultural initiatives. He also conveyed the congratulations of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi to the honourees of this edition, along with His Highness's greetings and best wishes for continued success to all.
A noble initiative
His Excellency El Houssein Ould Meddou welcomed the attendees and expressed his sincere thanks and deep gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, saying:
'I am honoured to be with you today at this distinguished cultural gathering, celebrating this radiant forum and noble initiative. At the outset, I am pleased to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah – this cultured leader who has dedicated his efforts, intellect, and time to serving the Arabic language and its literature, and to supporting the cause of culture and intellectuals throughout our Arab world.'
The Mauritanian Minister of Culture praised His Highness's patronage of culture, saying:
'We highly value the generous support of the Ruler of Sharjah for Arab culture, literature, and the Arabic language. This is an opportunity to highlight the exceptional recognition and high regard our Mauritanian writers and authors have received at the hands of the Sharjah Department of Culture, which continues its efforts to embed a culture of gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for all creatives.'
He added:
'Sharjah's pioneering cultural role serves as a shining model of serious Arab cultural engagement, through the many initiatives it has launched and the cultural projects it has hosted, which have made it a beacon of Arab culture and a haven for Arab writers and creatives.'
Ould Meddou continued:
'The Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, while commending this esteemed honouring, views it as a feature of the fruitful cultural cooperation between our two brotherly countries. This cooperation has also been crowned by the selection of Nouakchott to host the Sharjah Narrative Forum next year, reflecting the depth of our relationship and brotherhood.'
The Minister of Culture renewed his thanks and appreciation once more to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, to the Emirate of Sharjah, to the Department of Culture, and to all those who contributed to organising this distinguished forum.
A civilised model
The honourees expressed their deep gratitude for the recognition, which they considered a badge of pride and an acknowledgment of their cultural and creative journeys. They noted that the Sharjah Cultural Honouring Forum represents a civilised model for celebrating Arab intellectuals and affirms the Emirate's unwavering commitment to supporting thought and creativity across the Arab world.
They praised the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in establishing culture as a pillar of development and identity. They emphasised that this recognition is not merely a personal honour, but a celebration of Arab culture and its creative figures across various fields.
Yahya Al Hashemi said:
'I am honoured today to stand before you at this joyous cultural occasion, expressing my deep thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for this recognition which I greatly cherish and view as an honouring of Arab Islamic thought and culture.'
Al Hashemi considered the efforts undertaken by Sharjah to support the Arabic language, culture, literature, and creativity across the Arab world as noble work worthy of recognition. He added:
'This effort links the luminous past to the promising present in anticipation of a potential future. May Allah reward Sharjah's ruler and administration well – may it remain a beacon for culture and creativity.'
Mohamed Al Hafiz said:
'I received, with overwhelming joy, delight, happiness, gratitude and elation, the gracious message from the Department of Culture in the Government of Sharjah informing me of my honouring. I received it with the utmost pride. On this occasion, I am delighted to extend my deepest thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for this great honour, followed by my thanks to the delegation from the Department of Culture in the Government of Sharjah.'
Mohamed Fall Abdel Latif expressed his happiness, saying:
'I will try to express the pride and honour I feel at being chosen among those honoured by the 'Department of Culture in the dear Government of Sharjah'. It is a happy occasion to express my full gratitude and thanks to this esteemed institution for this recognition, which I hope to be worthy of. I must also take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the esteemed Government of Sharjah for its valuable efforts in serving Arab culture and its generous contributions in this field, not only at the level of Mauritania but also globally. I am entitled to feel proud of this recognition twice: once as a personal honour, and again as an honour for my country, Mauritania – this western gateway to the Arab world, which is also a vital bastion in the defence of Arab cultural heritage and a responsibility for every Arab citizen.'
Mohamedou Ameen said:
'I can only offer my deepest thanks and profound gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for honouring me in this way and for the great care he gives to culture and thought on the one hand, and to the distinguished status he affords Mauritania on the other. The place His Highness grants my country is now tangibly manifested in the Sharjah Cultural Honouring Forum, in the House of Poetry – Nouakchott, and in the Arabic Language Council in Mauritania'.
Highlights
Mohamed Fall Abdel Latif was born in 1952. He memorised the Qur'an at an early age and studied modern French literature before completing his undergraduate degree in administrative sciences and law.
Among his poetic works are Diwan Al-Waridat and Diwan Al-Jadhadhat. He has also authored several narrative works, including Famous in the Land, Attaining Hope through a Literary Journey to France and Brussels, and Ten Years at the Ministry of the Interior.
Poet Mohamed Al-Hafiz was born in 1956 into a scholarly and literary environment filled with scholars and poets. He memorised the Qur'an in early childhood, followed by texts on the Prophet's biography and encyclopaedias of pre-Islamic and Umayyad poetry.
He later moved to Iraq, where he experienced some of the most fertile years of his life, devoting himself to translated works in scientific literature and global philosophy. He completed his postgraduate studies in Saudi Arabia.
His poetry collections include The Return of the Dove's Coo, The Quatrains, and The Book of Longing. Among his most prominent academic works are In the Realms of Literature, The Oasis of Poetry, and Hunting and Chase in Arabic Poetry.
Dr Yahya Al Hashemi, born in 1957, is a professor of linguistics and philology at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Nouakchott, and formerly an associate professor in the Department of Arabic Language at Qassim University. He is a researcher in applied linguistics and philology.
His academic publications include The Arabic Corpus in Mauritanian Poetry, The Organic Relationship Between Arabic and Islam, and Linguistic Schools: Arab and Western Perspectives, among many others.
Mohamedou Ameen, born in 1959, is a university professor and researcher in the Department of History and Civilisation at the University of Nouakchott. He has also served as a visiting professor at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin. Ameen has authored more than 40 scholarly works and historical studies.
He is often described as 'the son of the document, the companion of the archive, the friend of the wandering manuscript.' He illuminates the night of history with the lanterns of critical thinking and builds bridges of scrutiny, understanding, and insight between narratives.
Certificates
At the end of the ceremony, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, El Houssein Ould Meddou, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer presented certificates of appreciation to the four honourees. These certificates bore the signature of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of their creative contributions.
Publications by the Department
The honouring ceremony was accompanied by an exhibition featuring a selection of publications from the Sharjah Department of Culture, including Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al-Rafid Magazine, Al-Qawafi Magazine, and Theatre Magazine. The exhibition witnessed a large turnout from attendees, as readers and writers alike flocked to explore the various cultural publications, driven by their passion for reading and engagement with diverse intellectual titles.