'The Future Lies in Secularism': Adonis Reflects on Poetry's Potential in the Middle East

In a Times of Israel interview, Adonis notes politicians and religious leaders' inability to resolve conflict in the Middle East. He suggests that Arab poetry, which has always been "against God," may be capable of bringing a resolution. More:

GOTHENBURG, Sweden (AFP) — Noted Syrian poet Adonis, whose name surfaces regularly as a top contender for the Nobel literature prize, says religious fanaticism is “destroying the heart of the Arab world,” but sees salvation in poetry.

The 86-year-old lives in exile and is equally scathing about the West’s role in the conflict in his homeland which has claimed more than 300,000 lives over five years.

“The Americans are not looking for solutions, they are seeking problems,” he told AFP in an interview at the Gothenburg Book Fair.

“The Americans do not have a coherent vision. Neither do the Russians, who are only driven by self-interest. The Arab world is strategic, an area of riches and the Arab people are just a means” to oil wealth, he said

The poet, who is Alawite, the sect to which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad belongs, wrote to the leader in 2011 calling for a democratic transition.

Now he sees hope in poetry.

“Poetry cannot slit a child’s throat, nor kill a man or destroy a museum,” said Adonis, whose real name is Ali Ahmad Saïd Esber.

Calling for a separation between the state and religion, he said poets could play an important role in bringing this about.

“Arab poetry has always been against God,” he said. There are no great poets in our history who were great believers like for example (Paul) Claudel in France.”

Continue reading at the Times of Israel.