THE TELEGRAPH: A veiled female poet has used verse to lash out at hard-line Muslim clerics on live television during the popular Arabic version of "American Idol."
In The Million's Poet programme, competitors battle it out to impress a panel of judges with traditional Arabic poems, not pop songs.
But instead of choosing an ode to the beauty of Bedouin life, Hissa Hilal, only her eyes visible through her black veil, delivered a blistering attack on Muslim preachers "who sit in the position of power" but are "frightening" people with their fatwas, or religious edicts, and "preying like a wolf" on those seeking peace.
The programme, The Million's Poet, is a chance for poets to show off their original work, airing live weekly on satellite television across the Arab world from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Contestants are graded on voice and style of recitation, but also on their subject matter, said Sultan al-Amimi, one of the three judges on the show and a manager of Abu Dhabi's Poetry Academy.
Her poem got loud cheers from the audience and won her a place in the competition's finals, to be aired today. While she is a favourite to win the show, her poetry has also brought her death threats, posted on several Islamic militant websites.
But she has shrugged off the controversy. >>> | Wednesday, March 24, 2010
