Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.
-Rita Dove
In the howling winds of Kuwait's desert and bustling urban life, there comes a luminary poet, a businessman, and a philanthropist Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain. He established the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation in Kuwait. That is the foundation of many cultural heritages, including Arabic poetry and literature.
Being the first Arab to address the International Court of Justice and promote fairness, compassion, and peaceful coexistence, Albabtain's passion for justice and peace goes beyond poetry. He believes in nourishing minds and embedding ideals in programs from kindergarten through university, and he articulates this vision in his inspirational lectures. His output proves his commitment to the rich literary heritage of the Arab language.
He has had a great passion for poetry and literature since childhood age, as he grew up in a family with a rich culture. He has received honorary doctorates from several universities across the globe. Yarmouk University in Jordan, Kuwaiti Kyrgyz University, the University of Goy in Kyrgyzstan, the University of Tashkent in Uzbekistan, and the University of Baku in Azerbaijan all honored him for his contributions to Arab literature and culture.Additionally, he was the recipient of honorary doctorates from other prestigious institutes, including the Kuwait University, the Mediterranean University of Albania and from Yerevan State University of Armenia
The Saud Albabtain Kuwaiti Scholarship for Post Graduate Studieshonors his dedication to intellectual advancement, and the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Prize for Poetic Creativity was founded to commemorate Arab poetry and literature. While some Albabtain Chairs concentrate on peace, others support the Arabic language and literature.
"Bauh Al-Bawadi" (Intimations of the Desert), his debut collection of poems, was released in 1995. "Musafir fi Al-Qifar" (Wastefarer), his second collection, was released in 2004. "Oghniat AlFeyefi" (The Songs of the Deserts), his third book of poetry, was released in 2018. Translations of the first two novels are in Polish, Spanish, French, Italian, and English. In honor of Kuwait being named "Capital of Arab Culture" in 2001, Abdulaziz Albabtain established the Albabtain Central Library for Arabic Poetry as a gift to the people of Kuwait and the Arab world.
The librarian of Al-Shuwaikh Secondary School gained a profound respect for poetry and literature throughout his time there. He established the Saud Albabtain Kuwaiti Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies in 1974 to aid students from low-income families who wish to pursue higher education. Each year, 400 students from Central Asia, Africa, the Arab world, the Balkans, and Europe benefit from this scholarship program, illustrating Albabtain's dedication to giving those in need access to higher education.
Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain'sEncyclopediasis a remarkable reference for scholars and readers of Arab poetry and literature. It includes poets from the 19th and 20th centuries, poets from the Age of States and Emirates, and contemporary Arab poets. The commitment to maintaining the Arab language and culture is evident in these works. Albabtain's commitment to Arabic poetry, Arab culture, and the culture of just peace is further demonstrated by his involvement in the literary community, which includes his work with the Writers Association of Kuwait and his position as a correspondent member of the Arabic Language Academy in Damascus. The Albabtain Encyclopedia is a living representation of his goals.
Established in 2005, the Albabtain Translation Center is essential to advancing translation from Arabic into other languages and promoting intercultural understanding. Beyond mere conversation, Albabtain's goal is to actively promote the Arabic language and culture in international institutions, building agreement between individuals from diverse origins. As a show of support for Palestine, Albabtain founded the Albabtain Kuwaiti Library at the University of Jerusalem, which now acts as a cultural hub and repository for research materials. His dedication to supporting young Palestinian poets under 35 is further evidenced by the Abdulaziz Albabtain Kuwaiti Award for Arabic Poetry in Palestine.
Abdulaziz Albabtain, the first Arab figure to address the International Court of Justice (ICJ), emphasized the importance of teaching just peace principles in educational curricula. He also visited Oxford University, where he enriched academic discourse on Arab culture, peace, and language's role in understanding. Albabtain's commitment to nurturing a culture of just peace through education and scholarship is further elaborated by the Albabtain Foundation's establishment of Albabtain Chairs in various universities worldwide.
Notable in both the Arab world and international society, Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain has substantially impacted the preservation of Arab language and culture. His poetry leaves a lasting legacy, but so do the hearts and thoughts of people who uphold his moral principles. Albabtain's dedication to supporting the language and culture of the Arab people and advocating for a just and peaceful society is evidence of a life well-lived. Kuwait's reputation and respect worldwide have increased due to his initiatives to uphold cultural traditions and advance peace.
