Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — A Saudi initiative has been launched to enter the Guinness Book of World Record by writing the world’s longest poem, the largest number of participants creating the poem and the most unique poem written by the people addressed to their ruler.

The initiative under the name “Nation writes poem to its King” was announced on Sunday here with a large number of poets, intellectuals and media in attendance.

Mohammed Al-Dajani, chief executive of the initiative, made the official announcement and said the initiative aims to give men and women of this country a chance to compete and express their love, loyalty and to demonstrate gratitude for the wise leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

He announced that the theme of the initiative is “Our King deserves and we are up to the challenge”.

Al-Dajani hopes to get everyone in Saudi Arabia to participate in the competition. “This is going to be a wonderful opportunity for all Saudis to create and share their words and emotions. Writing is a wonderful positive outlet of expression and I hope entrants find some sense of comfort in writing poetry about their love toward their King,” he said.

Al-Dajani said the competition is open to everyone and poems will be accepted through the official website.

According to Al Dajani, renowned poet and artist Prince Bader Bin Abdulmohsen has agreed to be the first entry in an effort to support this initiative.

The 2016 competition was judged a number of well-known poets and media personalities, and is now open for entries. First prize is SR100,000 second SR75,000 and third SR50,000.