A modest figure of traditional upbringing and modern education Captain Abdul Rahim Al Siddiqi is a persona of versatile talents, ambitions, and an achiever balancing a responsible management position at a reputed airline with creative pursuits.
Explore Qatar caught up with him at his busy office where issues like pilot training, recruitment and regulatory actions were being discussed.
He greets us with a warm smile while adjusting his white traditional Qatari attire, making us comfortable in his office space with cupboards of files, few computers and regular furniture - a place where you would least expect a poet to be. But he effortlessly switches from issues concerning the airline to writing poems, stories and scripts.
Below are a few excerpts of the interview.
Q You are an airline pilot professionally. If you wanted to be a poet why did you become a pilot?
It happened by chance. I wanted to go to the United States to study film direction but in those days there were not many facilities that we could avail. Then one of my friends suggested joining Gulf Air saying that they would send me to the States to become a pilot, and in my free time I could do what I want. But unfortunately when I joined Gulf Air shifted our training base to Oxford and my dream to go to America was tarnished. But now when I look back I feel happy with what happened, and anyways I am a poet still so it really doesn’t matter. (Smiles)
Q How do you think flying has influenced your artistic pursuits?
It has been a positive influence on my writings. Flying opened my mind to new cultures and made me adapt to new surroundings and people.
Q How are Qatari poems different to poems from the Gulf region?
Qatar is a part of Gulf; our culture is very similar to that of the other neighbouring countries. Hence there isn’t much of a difference. Usually we write poems in two dialects 1.) Nabati - a Bedouin language and 2.) Aami - a language spoken in the coastal regions of Gulf.
Q Who inspired you to be a poet?
My father always had a huge library, and ever since I was in school I loved to read and write. My father encouraged me to give in my poems to the local newspaper and after that I have never looked back.
Q Please give us a brief of your work.
I have written six books on various social issues about Arab society namely – Musafir, Arab 2000, Homeland beyond Horizon, Image on the Wall, Wound and the Salt, and Huda. Besides, I have written 10 plays for children inspired by my kids.
Along with my partner Mr Abdullah Teyseer I have had the privilege to write a 30-episode serial for MBC and have worked closely with QAT TV on a few projects. Apart from this I have been involved in writing plays for kids during Ramadan for the Doha Cultural Festival. We frequently have shows at Qatar Theatre, and presently we are working on a Qatari movie called “ Coffee shop”.
Q Is it true that this will be the first Qatari movie made by a Qatari?
It really doesn’t matter to me that it’s the first Qatari movie made by a Qatari but what matters is that it should be a good movie and people should relate to it.
Q Your books and plays for the kids are in Arabic. Has any of your works been translated?
Yes, one kid’s play called Tipsy Turvy World was translated to English.
Q What are your poems, plays and writings focused at?
I basically write about social issues and political sarcasm because I feel its very important to question the society we live in to make it better and develop its thinking.
Q Not many people in Doha like to read. How is the response to your books?
Difficult to say but my plays and TV shows get a better response than my books. I hope we can revive reading habits in kids and young adults. Its not easy, but if, at home parents ask children to read instead of letting them watch TV, I am sure it can make a difference.
Q What is your favourite piece of work so far and why?
‘Huda’ is my favourite piece of work. I have dedicated it to my wife Huda whose demise was very hard to face. And I feel I’ll never be able to write the way I have written for her.
Q Did you find support locally and regionally for your work?
Yes, my work has been shared by the Arab Media, and our Local Government has been very supportive.
Removal of censorship is a great incentive for a writer as it gives us the liberty to write and express our true selves, but with freedom also comes the responsibility to respect and not abuse it.
Q What do you think of Qatari people in this developing stage of the country?
Qatar is what its people are - smart, talented, progressive, and leading the country to new heights.
I am very positive that Qataries will make their place in the world but it will not happen in a day, a year or two, but take perseverance, hard work and an ambition to be the best.
Q Today’s new generation is more into computer games and electronic gadgets. Do you think Qatar will have a dearth of poets and writers in the future?
I think its up to the parents and teachers to bring out the child’s potential and creativity. Constant encouragement, a conducive environment and the passion for art will help new writers and poets to develop.
I think all cultures in the world are dealing with problems of globalisation. It is annoying to find same brands everywhere and governments can do very little to counter that except have special emporiums and places to promote local products, arts and culture. So it’s up to each nation and cultural community to figure out a way to promote their culture - writers, poets and artists being a very integral part of it.
