Watan – The United Arab Emirates, known for its opulent skyline and modernist approach, has recently made headlines for a different reason. The country’s security apparatus has detained a prominent Iraqi poet, Ibrahim Al-Shabali, known popularly as “Poet of the Face.” The reason? His attempt to recite a poem in the presence of an unidentified Emirati Sheikh.
This incident occurred during an international hunting weapons exhibition. Al-Shabali approached the Sheikh, raising his voice to be heard amidst the crowd, expressing his desire to recite a poem for him. However, instead of a receptive audience, the poet was met with security personnel. He was arrested on charges of causing a disturbance and subsequently taken to a police station in Abu Dhabi.
The incident has stirred significant debate on social media platforms, with many questioning the UAE’s approach to freedom of expression and its treatment of guests. The Iraqi authorities are reportedly making efforts to ascertain the circumstances of Al-Shabali’s arrest and secure his release.
This isn’t the first time Emirati officials have displayed such behavior. A previous incident involved a member of the UAE’s Council of Ministers, Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, who was caught on video mistreating citizens attempting to converse with him.
The UAE’s stance on detaining individuals, especially from the Arab diaspora, has been a matter of contention. In 2020, several Iraqis were detained without clear reasons, leading to concerns from the Iraqi government. Such actions highlight the opaque nature of the UAE’s policies, especially concerning those who might not align with its official narrative.