Muscat – Poet Aisha al Saifi is vying for top honours in Prince of Poets, an Emirati reality TV show in which poets of classical Arabic poetry in its various forms compete.

Prince of Poets was created in April 2007, by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, and is aired live every week.

Aisha is the first Omani poet to reach the finals of the programme. Winning will depend on two factors – careful selection of topic and the emotional quotient of her poetry.

According to the rules of the programme, poems entered in the competition should be traditional, which have been celebrated since ancient times, or modern poetry, known as free poetry. The programme draws contestants from the GCC and the Arab world.

Aisha was born in Nizwa, Dakhliyah and is the author of three collections of poetry, including The Sea Changes its Gown. She was the first female poet to win the Omani Poetry Festival.

“I thank God for this opportunity to reach the finals after getting the highest score from the jury in the penultimate episode of the programme,” Aisha said.

Requesting viewers in Oman to vote for her, she said, “I have fulfilled my duty of representing my country. It is now your turn, beloved ones, to decide with your vote, which has 40 per cent weightage in the total score.”

Thanking those who have supported her, Aisha said she’s hopeful of winning the final.

Six poets are competing for the title – Ibrahim Toure from Senegal, Abdel Wahed Brok from Morocco, Abdullah al Anzi from Saudi Arabia, Najat al Dhaheri from UAE, and Mohammad Mahasneh from Jordan, besides Aisha.

Voting will continue till March 8. To vote go to https://princeofpoets.ae/