Al Arab in UK Brings Together Voices from Across the Arab World in London Poetry Evening
London hosted a vibrant evening of Arabic poetry and cultural expression as the Al Arab in UK (AUK) organised its “Arabic Poetry Evening in Britain 2026”, bringing together poets, writers and performers from across the Arab world before a packed audience at P21 Gallery.
Held under the theme “A Space for Words… A Platform for the Soul,” the event celebrated the enduring role of Arabic poetry as a vessel for memory, identity and longing — particularly within diaspora communities, where language often becomes a bridge between exile and belonging.
Voices, Rhythm and Atmosphere
The evening was hosted by artist and voice performer Osaid Maher, whose stage presence and expressive delivery gave the gathering a warm and theatrical rhythm. Moving smoothly between readings with a blend of professionalism and spontaneity, he helped create an atmosphere that felt both intimate and celebratory, guiding audiences through a programme that stretched late into the evening and showcased a wide spectrum of contemporary Arab poetic voices.
Voices from Palestine, Iraq and Yemen
One of the evening’s most moving moments came with the participation of Dr Mahmoud Al Sheikh Ali, a Palestinian Nakba survivor living in Britain, who recited poems steeped in longing for Palestine and reflections on memory, displacement and homeland. His readings resonated deeply with the audience and drew a particularly emotional response from attendees.
Yemeni academic and medical researcher Dr Amal Saleh presented poems shaped by psychological reflection and human experience, while Iraqi poet Mohammed Al Jasser transported the audience into the world of Iraqi vernacular poetry, evoking scenes of homeland, nostalgia and collective memory through emotionally charged language.
Poetry, Music and New Voices
Lebanese poet and media figure Dr Houaida Nassif also took part, presenting selections that moved between classical Arabic verse and free poetry.
Meanwhile, Yemeni poet Mustafa Al Soufi represented a younger diasporic generation through reflective poems centred on exile and longing, accompanied by live oud music that added a distinctly warm Middle Eastern atmosphere to the hall.
In one of the evening’s most unexpected moments, Yemeni photographer and fashion designer Mary Al Sokari — based in Birmingham — made her first public poetry appearance, presenting emotionally driven texts shaped by a strong visual sensibility.
Syrian poet Amir Ragab closed the scheduled readings with deeply personal and human-centred poems exploring his intimate relationship with poetry itself, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
An Open Cultural Space
The evening also evolved organically beyond the formal programme, as several audience members spontaneously volunteered to share their own literary texts, creating an open and encouraging atmosphere for emerging writers and poetry enthusiasts.
Poetry as Cultural Memory in Exile
The event concluded with a closing address on behalf of Al Arab in UK, thanking both the participating poets and attendees for helping create what organisers described as a rare cultural space centred on Arabic language, literature and artistic expression.
Organisers stressed that poetry and free cultural expression remain among the most important tools for preserving Arab cultural identity in diaspora communities, while also serving as a bridge connecting younger generations to their literary and civilisational heritage.
The evening ultimately offered a vivid snapshot of the evolving Arab cultural scene in Britain and highlighted the growing role played by independent cultural initiatives in sustaining Arabic language, poetry and artistic life within the broader British public sphere.
For more photos from the event, readers can visit this link.
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