Islamic History and Literature

The southern tradition of Saudi poetry known as Al-'arthah has had a deep and long-lasting impact on the region's cultural legacy. This literary form is distinguished by the use of local dialects, which not only reflect the distinct linguistic qualities of southern Saudi Arabia but also deepen the bond between the poetry and its listener. This study examines one of the most significant literary and lyrical events known as Southern Al-'arthah, notably the poetry competition known as Al-Shaqr. The Saudi Cultural Channel held a poetry competition among four icons of Southern Al-'arthah poetry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Saleh ibn Aziz, Saeed ibn Hathban, Mohammed ibn Hawqan (commonly known as Hawgan), and Abdul Wahid ibn Saud Al-Zahrani.