For Aliyu Mustapha Lawal, Arabic is both a subject of scholarship and a source of poetic inspiration. He shared his Arabic poetry at the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, held September 12–17, 2026, reflecting on how language, readers, and literary communities have shaped his work.
Lawal, Lecturer of Hausa at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, participated in “Poetry Havens” on September 15, a session presented as part of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s programming. The session also featured Lebanese poet Ola Khadaro and was moderated by Emirati journalist Muhammad Abdallah.
His readings explored themes of Arabic language, elegy, contemplation, and literary struggle. In the accompanying discussion, Lawal considered the relationship between author and reader and described how Arabic has inspired his writing. He also reflected on how the UAE’s literary events and his participation in the Prince of Poets competition have helped develop his craft and deepen his poetic sensibility.
Lawal’s creative practice complements his teaching and research in Arabic and Hausa language and literature. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic and Arabic Studies from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, specializing in Arabic Literature and Criticism. His publications span poetry, Hausa, and translation, with poems and articles appearing in literary magazines across the UAE and Egypt.
