Steel and soul: How Sheikh Mohammed keeps poetry at the heart of leadership

In the pauses between meetings, in the quiet after decisions that shape a nation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, writes poetry.

This private, reflective, and deeply personal act may seem unexpected from a leader at the helm of one of the world’s most modern cities. But for Sheikh Mohammed, poetry is far more than a pastime.

It is a lifelong companion, a cultural duty, and a core part of how he leads—not only with strategy, but with soul.

His verses, composed in the traditional Nabati style, are more than artistic musings. They are windows into a leader’s inner world, bridges between generations, and affirmations of Emirati identity.

The Power of Nabati Poetry

Nabati poetry is a form of vernacular Arabic verse that has echoed across the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. Unlike classical Arabic poetry, Nabati is grounded in the everyday language of the people in the GCC region—originally recited around campfires, at tribal gatherings, or during key life events.

This style of poetry served—and still serves—as a way to reflect on personal emotion, social issues, tribal values, and even political events. In many ways, Nabati has been the Gulf’s original social commentary.

For Sheikh Mohammed, Nabati is a natural choice. Born into the rhythms of the desert, raised on the storytelling traditions of his ancestors, and shaped by a deep love of language, his poetic voice is both authentic and powerful.

His verses often explore themes of leadership, loyalty, heritage, love, and faith, crafted with simplicity, sincerity, and a profound sense of place.

Poetry in the public eye

Sheikh Mohammed’s first public poetry night in 1989 marked a turning point—not just for him, but for Nabati poetry itself.

By stepping onto a stage usually reserved for cultural icons and tribal elders, he reinvigorated a fading tradition and placed it firmly back into the heart of national consciousness.

Since then, poetry has remained central to his public persona. His poems are regularly published and shared online, especially through his official Instagram account, where he uses verse to mark occasions such as the UAE President’s birthday, New Year celebrations, or moments of national pride.

Many of his poems have been adapted into songs by leading Emirati and Arab singers, including Hussien Al Jasmi and Kadim Al Saher, bringing his words to new audiences and generations.

These musical renditions transform his poetic reflections into cultural touchstones—played at weddings, national celebrations, and on airwaves across the region.

A legacy passed on

Perhaps the most touching element of this poetic journey is its continuity. His son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is not just a political heir—he is also a poetic one.

Known for his own literary talents, Sheikh Hamdan often recites Nabati poetry alongside his father, embodying the same commitment to preserving the soul of the nation through verse.

In these intimate, generational moments, often captured on video or during cultural events, the poetry feels like more than tradition. It becomes an inheritance.

Together, father and son send a clear message: culture is not a luxury. It is the foundation.

Leadership with language

In a country that has become a global model for innovation and infrastructure, Sheikh Mohammed reminds us that steel and glass alone do not build a nation. A nation is built through values, vision, and voice. His poetry is a form of soft power, a cultural cornerstone, and a call to remember who we are.

Through Nabati poetry, he continues to lead not just with policy, but with poetry. Not just with authority, but with emotion. His leadership speaks not only in decrees and developments, but in rhyme and reflection.

In doing so, Sheikh Mohammed keeps alive one of the Gulf’s oldest art forms. Not behind museum glass, but in the living rooms, playlists, and hearts of his people.