Engineering student competes in Prince of Poets

AUS mechanical engineering student Ahmad Al Akhras is vying for the top slot in the popular Prince of Poets, a global competition in Arabic poetry. Every two years, thousands of poets apply to this competition and only 300 qualify. Elimination rounds then reduce the number to 20, after which the competition goes live at Al Raha Beach Theater in Abu Dhabi.

The show is divided into three levels. The top 20 poets have already been selected and were divided into five groups with four poets in each episode being selected by the judges to enter the next level and two chosen by SMS voting.

Al Akhras's talent has taken him all the way into the top 15 so far. The top 15 poets have been divided into three groups of five, and one from each group will be chosen by the judges to enter the final round. One more candidate per episode will be selected by SMS voting.

These six poets will then compete in the semifinals. Thirty percent of their points will be based on the judges' decision and 40 percent based on SMS voting. In the beginning of the final episode, the poet that gained the least score of the 70 percent will leave, and the competition will continue.

According to Al Akhras, "I joined the competition as my close friends encouraged me because they believed in my talent as a poet. Also, this competition gives huge media coverage to all the participants, which is great exposure."

To vote for Al Akhras, dial 6190 (Etisalat) or 9869 (du). His voting number is 3.

The episode which features Ahmad will be aired tonight at 10 p.m., on "AD Al Emarat" channel. The event is open to the public and those who would like to watch it live can do so at the Al-Raha Beach Theater.