Abdullah bin Idris: Laying the Critical Foundations for Poets of Najd, the Pioneering Award, and the Gold Medal.
Knowledge Affairs – Special
A literary and cultural life rich in creativity and cultural administration was the path of the pioneering poet Abdullah bin Idris, who made significant contributions to creating a state of literary enlightenment and illuminating many aspects of contemporary Saudi poetic creativity. He was among the first to write about the pioneering poets of the Kingdom in his critical book, in which he established an observant critical perspective, entitled: “Contemporary Poets of Najd,” published in 1960. Scholars have regarded it as one of the pioneering Saudi works of literary criticism. He was awarded the Medal of Pioneership and the Literary Medal of Honor at the First Saudi Writers Conference, held in Makkah in 1974.
A Cultural Upbringing:
Abdullah bin Idris was born in the town of Harmah in 1929 in Sudair, north of Riyadh. He received his early education from the scholars of his town, supplementing it with extensive reading in books on religious fundamentals. In 1366 AH/1947, he moved to the city of Riyadh, where he studied under a number of its scholars, including Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim, who was the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom.
He was appointed a teacher of Sharia sciences and Arabic language at Al-Faisaliyah School in the capital, Riyadh, in 1368 AH/1949. He then joined the Scientific Institute in Riyadh, where he obtained his secondary school certificate. He continued his studies at the College of Sharia and graduated in 1376 AH/1956, as one of the first graduating classes of the college.
Abdullah bin Idris worked as an inspector in the scientific institutes before becoming Assistant Director General of Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education, and he also served as Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for the Care of Sciences, Arts and Literature (formerly), as well as Secretary-General of Imam Muhammad bin Saud University and its Director of Culture until 1409 AH/1989.
He chaired the Riyadh Literary Club between 1401 AH/1981 and 1422 AH/2001, and also served as Editor-in-Chief of Al-Da‘wah newspaper for seven years, from 1385 AH/1965 to 1392 AH/1972. In addition, he held memberships in several bodies and institutions, including the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), the League of Modern Literature in Egypt, and honorary membership in the Islamic Literature League. He participated in numerous literary and poetry events, including the Arab Poetry Festival in Algeria, the Abu Firas Al-Hamdani Festival in Syria, and the First Saudi Writers Conference. A number of pioneers of modern Saudi literature wrote about him, including Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Ghazzawi, Hussein Sarhan, Muhammad Hassan Awwad, and others.
Poetic and Critical Works:
Abdullah bin Idris’s writings ranged between poetic creativity and critical works. He produced a number of poetry collections in which he favored writing in the traditional poetic form, focusing on his experiences and visions of life, expressing the values of national belonging, and contemplating the universe through majestic classical poems rich in expressive imagery and broad poetic meanings. He published his first poetry collection after passing the age of fifty. Among his most famous poems is “In My Boat,” which he also chose as the title of his first collection, published in 1984. He is regarded as a poet with a romantic inclination, and his poems are deeply subjective. In general, his poetry ranges between innovation and tradition. He also made various contributions to literary criticism and article writing, and was among the writers who addressed, in their articles, the proposal to establish a linguistic academy in Saudi Arabia.
His poetry collections include: “In My Boat,” “Sailing Without Water,” and “Shall I Depart Before You, or Will You Depart?” On 7 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1444 AH/3 October 2022, the complete works of Abdullah bin Idris were launched at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2022. The collection consisted of six volumes: Poetic Works; Contemporary Poets of Najd; Selections from the Editorials of Al-Da‘wah Newspaper Written by the Editor-in-Chief; The Rhyme of Life: An Autobiography; His Life and Works and What Was Written About Abdullah bin Idris; and “Words in the Sweetest Words.”
Among the poetic passages from his poem “In My Boat”:
O Lord, bring the beautiful boat of dreams safely to shore
For here are whirlwinds of misery breathing behind the sunset
And here my sail has touched the winged waves in amazement
And the sorrowful heart looked back, startled by the heavy yesterday
The deep sea played with my boat, overwhelming the course of feeling
Have you not seen me, thinking myself like a bird in a child’s hand
If that is so, I still dream of crossing
O Lord, bring the beautiful boat of dreams safely to shore
Multiple Honors:
Abdullah bin Idris was honored by several cultural institutions. The First Saudi Writers Conference awarded him the Medal of Pioneership and the Gold Medal in 1394 AH/1974 for his book “Contemporary Poets of Najd.” The Riyadh Literary Club honored him in 1423 AH/2002. He won the poetry prize announced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for his poem: “O Young Bearer of Knowledge.” He was honored again at the Saudi Writers Conference in 1430 AH/2009. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz—may he rest in peace—also honored him with the King Abdulaziz Medal, First Class, and the Gold Medal at the Janadriyah Festival in 1431 AH/2010, as the national personality of that year.
On 29 May 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Riyadh Region, inaugurated the Abdullah bin Idris Cultural Center, in the presence of the sons and grandsons of Ibn Idris and members of the center’s founding board, chaired by Ziad Al-Idris. On 24 August 2023, the Abdullah bin Idris Charitable Foundation launched the Sheikh Abdullah bin Idris Cultural Award.
It was a rich cultural life that the poet and writer Abdullah bin Idris lived. As one researcher wrote about him: Ibn Idris was the seasoned administrator, the distinguished journalist, the encyclopedic intellectual, the sensitive poet, the accomplished critic, and the public relations figure. He was also the father whom his children remember with gratitude and whose virtues they speak of with pride. A number of scholars have examined his life in books, academic studies, university theses, and press articles. For a man such as him, whose work was distinguished and whose achievements in life took many forms, it was only fitting that he receive recognition and that pages be devoted to praising him and reflecting on his unique experience.
Footnotes:
