The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation will host a theatrical performance titled “Arqoub Dates”, a monodrama and theatrical biography about the life of poet Mubarak Al Oqili, on Wednesday, September 18. The play is written and directed by artist Omar Ghobash and produced by the Deira Cultural Centre in Dubai.

Artist Omar Ghobash presents the life of poet Mubarak Al Oqaili, who was born in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia and traveled between Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Dubai, Oman, and Bahrain before eventually settling in Dubai.

Al Oqaili, who lived from 1875 to 1955, witnessed both the Ottoman presence in the Al Ahsa region and the British Mandate in the Gulf. He engaged with many prominent figures and intellectuals of his time and was celebrated for his poetry in both classical Arabic and Nabati. Recognized as one of Dubai’s most notable poets and cultural luminaries, Al Oqaili was famed for his eloquence in Nabati poetry.

He was the first to write a poetic drama in the Arabian Peninsula and authored the first short story. Arqoub Dates, a solo performance, explores Al Oqaili’s life journey, from his youth through all the stages of his life.

This theatrical performance marks the debut of Arqoub Dates in the UAE. The play was previously showcased at the Kuwait International Monodrama Festival and presented at the Stuttgart International Theatre Festival in Germany last May.

In addition to Omar Ghobash, the play will feature the participation of Hassan Youssef as assistant director, Abdullah Al Shuaibi as assistant director, and Mohammed Jamal as lighting technician.