A file photo of the closing ceremony of the last edition of the Katara Prize.
DOHA: The third Katara Prize for Prophet’s Poet has received 942 entries from participants around the world, including several non-Arab countries. Winners will be selected at the finals of the competition to be held at Katara Cultural Village from April 25 to 28. The prestigious award carries cash prizes worth a total of QR4.2m. The contest, featuring original Arabic poems on the life and traditions of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) is divided into two parts — Classical Poetry (Shaar Al Faseeh) and Colloquial Poetry (Shaar Al Nabti).
Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara, said that the number of participants this year has seen a huge increase compared to the second edition of the contest. The organising committee has received 853 entries in Classical Poetry and 89 entries in Colloquial Poetry. The participants include 86 women. Fifteen best entries have been shortlisted in each category which will enter the finals. Competitions in colloquial poetry was introduced in the last edition.
Al Sulaiti said that the largest number of entries were from Syria and Iraq with a total of 276, followed by Egypt and Sudan with 257 entries. The committee received 205 entries from the Maghrib countries and 158 entries from the Gulf region.
The number of participants from non-Arab countries has increased to 46 from five entries received in the second edition of the competition.
Khalid Al Sayed, general supervisor of the Prize said that the judging panel for the competition comprises academics and experts in poetry. The 15 shortlisted entries in each of the two categories will be announced soon.
Three winners will be selected during the finals and announced at the awarding ceremony on April 28 to be held at Katara Opera House. Qatar Television will broadcast live the finals and the closing ceremony, said Al Sayed.
The first prize winner in each category will get a cash prize of QR1m while winners of the second and third positions will get QR700,000 and QR400,000, respectively.
The Prize aims to cultivate the love for The Prophet in the minds of the young generation and keep them attached with the history and traditions of the Prophet. It also underlines the importance of poetry in uniting the Arab and Muslim communities and revive the great poetic tradition of the Islamic world.
