Hissa Hilal is a very brave Muslim woman, a housewife from Saudi Arabia who has used her opportunity as a contestant on the Arabic TV show ‘Poet to Millions’ as a way to denounce the oppressive nature of some extremist leaders. Her poem, which has instantly made her famous and just might result in her being the winner the show’s $1,300,000 prize, is in Arabic but here is a rough English translation (from this website):
I have seen evil from the eyes of the subversive fatwas in a time when what is lawful is confused with what is not lawful;
When I unveil the truth, a monster appears from his hiding place; barbaric in thinking and action, angry and blind; wearing death as a dress and covering it with a belt;
He speaks from an official, powerful platform, terrorizing people and preying on everyone seeking peace; the voice of courage ran away and the truth is cornered and silent, when self-interest prevented one from speaking the truth.
Her words to me sound universal, perhaps like one of the ancient Hebrew prophets. Were it not for the for the use of the word ‘fatwa’ and the obscure reference to suicide bombing, the poem could just as easily refer to any of the oppressive religious and political leaders who have emerged over the last few millenia. And what Mrs. Hilal has said is simply a repetition of a message voiced century after century, by prophets, housewives, carpenters, and statesmen.
Here’s to Hissa Hilal.
Hissa Hilal is a very brave Muslim woman, a housewife from Saudi Arabia who has used her opportunity as a contestant on the Arabic TV show ‘Poet to Millions’ as a way to denounce the oppressive nature of some extremist leaders. Her poem, which has instantly made her famous and just might result in her being the winner the show’s $1,300,000 prize, is in Arabic but here is a rough English translation (from this website):
Her words to me sound universal, perhaps like one of the ancient Hebrew prophets. Were it not for the for the use of the word ‘fatwa’ and the obscure reference to suicide bombing, the poem could just as easily refer to any of the oppressive religious and political leaders who have emerged over the last few millenia. And what Mrs. Hilal has said is simply a repetition of a message voiced century after century, by prophets, housewives, carpenters, and statesmen.
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