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EDITOR'S NOTE
In August the
Saudi-American Forum presented a poem, "The
Ambush," by Saudi Arabian poetess Nimah Ismail
Nawwab. We mentioned the upcoming debut of a book of her
poetry, "The Unfurling." On the occasion of its
publication we are pleased to feature an interview with the
author. It was conducted via email exchanges on December
2, 2004. Check below for more about the book and about
the author.
Nimah
Ismail Nawwab
Author of The Unfurling
SAF: How
did you become interested in English literature? Do you have any
favorite books, works or authors?
 Nimah Ismail
Nawwab:
I first became interested in English literature due to my
scholarly father reading Shakespeare's plays as bedtime stories
to me when I was eight-years-old.
Later on, I read a
Dutch orientalist's account of his stay in Makkah and felt the
need to document the customs, social life and arts of our
people, both past and present.
After graduating with a
degree in English literature, I became a translation specialist,
which was great. This made me learn something new every day and
strengthened my bilingual abilities. But, I couldn't stay away
from writing for long and moved on to pursue my love for
writing. This led to articles in various publications in the
Kingdom and abroad and to translations of some of my articles
into Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese among others.
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As for poetry, through
the years, I read a lot of classic poets, but an encounter with
an Arab-American, award-winning poet and author Naomi Shihab
Nye, who I call "My Inspiration," motivated me to
attempt poetry. Her reading of modern poetry of various poets
and talk of the nature of poetry moved me to the extent that
that very night I wrote my first four poems and later on
published pieces in print as well as in online newspapers and
magazines. It is a real pleasure to immerse oneself in the
rhythm and cadences of language though poetry.
As for the works I
enjoy, in addition to the classic poets, I value the works of
modern poets more and more. My sense of what can be done with
language, what is possible in writing and especially poetry
grows daily and mostly through wide reading. I also love to
experiment with new styles, which is why The Unfurling
ends with, as I have heard by various reviewers, a surprising
culmination.
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I also love to
experiment with
new styles, which
is why "The
Unfurling"
ends
with, as I have
heard by various
reviewers, a
surprising
culmination. |
My favorite poets, in
addition to Nye, are the Chilean Nobel prize winner Pablo Naruda,
Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska, Mahmoud Darweesh, Jewish poet
Yahuda Amichai, African American poets Amiri Baraka and Lucille
Clifton, Native American poet Joy Harjo, and American poets
Robert Bly, Jane Hershfield, Stanley Kunitz, Adrienne Rich,
Carolyn Forche, Donald Hall and Jane Kenyon among others.
SAF: Can
you talk about your personal experience as a Saudi woman in the
workforce?
| Nimah Ismail Nawwab:
I count myself among the lucky ones who have joined a pioneering
company, which employs women and has hired international female
employees for the last 50 years -- Saudi Aramco. Saudi
Aramco is a company that has led the trend in offering training
to male and female employees.
I joined the company,
which I and many others call "Mother Aramco," 16 years
ago, and I actually worked there even earlier as a summer
student when I was 14-years-old in various departments. On
joining the company, I was among hundreds of thousands who have
benefited professionally and personally from the training
programs, seminars, speakers, and leadership training the system
offers. |
I joined
.."Mother
Aramco".. ..I was
among many women
who reaped the
benefits of
opportunities
offered
to excel and prove
themselves.. |
Throughout these years,
I was among many women who reaped the benefits of opportunities
offered to excel and prove themselves as engineers,
geophysicists, doctors, architects, graphic artists, planning
analysts, computer engineers, and writers among others.
It also gave me an
opportunity to attend and give presentations and learn the
business of public relations, where I was exposed to a variety
of jobs, from an English writer and editor, coordinating the
review of the Saudi Aramco World magazine from Dhahran,
to starting an e-publishing group for the company Web site,
working on employees' development programs, dealing with the
international media and working on forming a new group's
mission, vision and staffing, to my current job as public
relations advisor.
One of the best aspects
of the work is continuous learning, decision-making and
strategizing. Constantly learning new skills and being exposed
to the latest business trends is a pleasure and a challenge.
SAF: Have
you had any challenges to overcome?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: A challenge in the beginning was proving
myself when I was often the only female staff. Young, eager and
straight out of college, I was the only Saudi translator in a
group of over 30 international professional translators. It was
daunting but exciting and learning to work with such a caliber
of professionals was an educational and stimulating experience.
Later on, attending
workshops and seminars, which included employees from other
organizations, and where I stood out as the only female in a
group of 40 or sometimes 60 men was another experience that I
learned to take in stride. After that, attending or heading
meetings or giving presentations became the norm.
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One challenge that
continues until now is dealing with men who work for other
agencies where women are not employed. This often lead to two
scenarios -- either the men at the end of a meeting leave highly
impressed, or they continue to be perplexed by the ease with
which one conducts oneself.
So, matters are
changing, and so long as a sense of mutual respect is
established and professional experience is reflected, many
matters can be dealt with. Such meetings -- be they 10 minutes
or an hour -- often change perceptions as I have found both at
work and on reading poetry.
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Proving oneself in
a
man's world and
in our often
segregated society
doesn't come
easily,
but self-confidence
and mentors helped
along the way,
not
unlike what takes
place in many places
in the world.. |
Proving oneself in a
man's world and in our often segregated society doesn't come
easily, but self-confidence and mentors helped along the way,
not unlike what takes place in many places in the world, I am
sure.
SAF: What
do you see as the future role of women in Saudi society?
What is the future of Saudi women in the workforce?
I personally believe
that the growth will be phenomenal in terms of opportunities.
Not only is the society changing while trying to maintain its
values, but also the new generation will impose its needs.
The need for women to
help augment the family income is currently driving the force
and need for more job opportunities. Traditional fields of
education and medicine have been expanded to jobs in new arenas,
such as banking, web design, interior design, photography, home
businesses, and the list goes on.
Despite the current
barriers, women will continue to give to the society, to their
families and to better themselves, whether they work at home or
out of the home.
SAF: What
is your evaluation of the current reforms?
Nimah Ismail Nawwab:
The current reforms are slowly shaping a new
"atmosphere" if I may use that phrase. Many women
involved with businesses, for example, greeted the issuance of
ID cards and the termination of the requirement for a male agent
to carry out their work with much celebration. I remember the
day when the latter issue was announced. I was having lunch with
the head of women's training center in Jeddah at the time, and
the amount of calls from both men and women was unbelievable.
All were excited, and we barely got to eat and discuss the
reason for our meeting with all the interruptions.
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We have had some
setbacks from time to time, but as I said, the new generation,
its needs, globalization, and the whole way of dealing with
business will be worked out. For example, we still need a
guardian's permission to study, work and travel; that has been a
matter that is now being brought up time and again.
You have to understand
in talking about reform that we have an extremely diverse
society -- one where even in each household there are those
calling for change, fast change and others for slow changes,
while others believe in preserving the status quo.
It is hard to balance it all when one looks at the society as a
whole.
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..in talking about
reform .. we have
an extremely diverse
society -- one where
even in each household
there are those
calling
for change, fast change
and others for slow
changes,
while others
believe in preserving
the status quo.. |
SAF: How
do you feel about women not being able to vote or run for office
in the upcoming elections?
Nimah Ismail Nawwab:
I think the day will come when they will. The first step has now
been taken by the votes cast by businesswomen at chambers of
commerce.
SAF: Why
did you choose poetry as the medium for expressing your views on
women, freedom and life in Arabia?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: I have written about women in the past and
continue to be intrigued by the rapid change we have had in
Saudi Arabia in terms of women speaking up more and more on
their issues. So in writing, women's issues have also been an
element that I couldn't do with my photography, as photographing
women is sensitive, and one needs to get their permission.
The other venue has
been poetry, which really came about naturally -- I mean the
inclusion of women in poems. Poets often debate the stimulus for
poetry and its role in current events. Some think it is
apolitical.
As for me, I think
writing about women is just as important as writing about an
abused child, the homeless, the downtrodden, or the political
and social life where women play a vital role. Some of what have
been described as my most "powerful,
thought-provoking" poems are about women while others are
about the future generation, Palestine or tolerance.
SAF: Is
the book The Unfurling the first time you have written
poetry? Is this your first book?
 Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: This is my first book of poetry and is a
result of the work of four years of midnight inspirations. One
of the poems is entitled "Nocturnal Visitations!"
For the life of me, I can't really write poetry until after
midnight. Anyway, the more than 80 poems in the book are
selected from more than 130 poems.
Poetry as opposed to
article and essay writing for me is challenging in the sense of
what one has to deal with on a personal level. Poetry as opposed
to creative writing is vastly different, where research,
interview skills, and building up a story line all play a role
in the writing process one gets used to as a writer.
As a poet, one has an
inner conviction -- that of striking a delicate and subtle
balance in attempts to confront reality. Poets usually avoid
self-righteousness and pushing their own views. Choosing current
issues while balancing the reality with our need to see justice
done, plus leaving the reader room to think and to enjoy the
sensation of reading and interpreting images. All that has to be
interwoven in a poem.
It is a thrilling
adventure to immerse oneself in language and its nuances, to
push language beyond its limits, beyond one's limits of
perception, to challenge oneself to come up with a new phrase or
a new vision. I do a lot of editing, on revisiting the pieces,
while some poems may take as long as a few weeks, and in very
few cases, those that take days are left as they are.
Poetry has been a
blessing in many ways as it gives me a chance to somewhat pause
during a busy life, assess, notice things and then simply write.
Sometimes when I am done, I look down and think, "Did I
write that?"
Seriously, it is work
and choosing the correct images, creating word associations and
in many cases, linking them to the classics or modern day issues
is demanding work, but the end result is often unexpected. Poems
carry us out of ourselves into another realm, scary in a way,
just like dreams. You can get lost there.
SAF: Can
you tell us at which
universities and schools you been giving poetry readings?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: The schools and universities to date have been
in Saudi Arabia, and there are a few slated for schools and
universities abroad in the coming months. I wanted to have
enough copies of the book available at readings. The interim
solution was my publisher's idea of a limited edition to meet
requests for the mini pre-publication book tour in the States
last summer.
I love school readings.
They are my favorite type. The great thing with schools is the
feeling of connecting to the younger generation, which I fully
enjoy. I instantly connect with the younger generation and find
them fascinating. They come with an open mind, full of the need
to learn, and are inquisitive, quick on the uptake and full of
questions, enthusiasm and life.
SAF: How
are you received by the students?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: Connecting with students in an audience of 200
to 300 or a small group at a cafe, making eye contact, seeing
their heads nod -- that is worth all the time and effort.
I like to introduce the
younger students to poetry in general, not just read my work,
and vary the readings each time. I like to have them guess
at titles of the pieces and make the session an interactive one.
It is thrilling when a
student later emails and says that they have begun to read
poetry for the first time after a reading or to have young poets
send me their work.
SAF: Do
they ask questions about women in Saudi Arabia? How do you
respond?
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Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: At readings abroad at institutes and
conferences or literary institutes, there has been an interest
in women, the veil and the lives of women. It is always
interesting to notice how perceptions change when they meet a
Saudi woman and the dispelling of stereotypes happens very
quickly.
It is amazing, within
moments as one bonds, and the audiences understand that we are
basically all alike, that our concerns are similar. Concerns for
a normal life, for our education, our children, unemployment,
peace, tolerance, all are common threads that bind humanity
regardless of gender, race or creed.
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It is always
interesting
to notice how perceptions
change when they meet
a
Saudi woman and the
dispelling of stereotypes
happens very
quickly. |
For example, on reading
a poem about my teenaged daughter at a bookstore and another
time at a literary festival, I could see the younger audience
raise their heads at certain passages and smile widely on
hearing about her love for reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer
books, or when they break into laughter when listening to
"Call to Prayer" and the way my son has to be hurried
along to get ready for the mosque on Fridays, just as teenagers
have to while getting ready for church on Sunday.
SAF: Have
you received any criticism or hostility for being outspoken in
your work?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: I must be lucky. I have found considerable
acceptance.
SAF: How
do you feel that your book The Unfurling will be
received? Abroad and in Saudi Arabia?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: I try not to think of that a lot. What is
important is to connect with the readers and get their feedback.
I recently got an email from an American lady who said she never
read poetry and that not only she and her daughter but also her
granddaughter have read the book, with her 11-year-old
granddaughter reading it at least three times. Now, that is the
kind of response that is an honor.
Recently, I was stunned
at a venue where I never thought poetry can play a role. When I
was called to end a conference headed by Peter Senge of MIT at
an Organizational Learning Organization event held at Hawar
Island, Bahrain. This happened on the first day of the
conference, but it was indeed a great and unexpected honor that
he also chose to end the event as a whole on that note with a
reading of one of my poems.
What made it all the
more surprisingly special was how hardcore businessmen from
various countries greeted the poems, how some on the first day
were touched by "The Coming" about the future
generation, till their eyes actually teared and how others kept
requesting copies of the book. Their support then and now
continues to be special.
SAF: Which
poem in your book is your favorite or that you are most proud
of? Why?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: That is a hard question, as I enjoy reading
poems on freedom, tolerance and education most.
My guess is it is
"The Longing," which I often start readings with. I
have used it for flyers, and it has been translated. It is also
the first poem in the volume. Why? It is because it is about
freedom. I had wanted to write about women's freedom and
"The Longing" materialized. I then wrote another
entitled "Shackled Slumberers," which was about
freedom on a global level, and I finally wrote about women's
freedom.
Another case of how
poetry can take a poet to a different destination!
But, "The
Longing" still remains not only my favorite but also the
favorite at schools. Another is "The Unfurling," which is the title
poem. It is a sequel to "The Longing" in a
sense.
Another equal favorite
which I love to include at all readings is "Recipe for
Knowledge," which is about global education and touches
teachers abroad and locally.
SAF: What
are your future plans?
Nimah Ismail
Nawwab: I am working on an exciting venture combing
love of music with poetry -- a poetry and music CD. I love music
and listen to it a lot. I often listen to various types from
instrumental to my teenagers' songs while writing either
articles or poems. It helps get the inspiration going. I am
simply in my element when writing and listening. There is poetry
in music and music in poetry. I can't imagine a world
without music.
The CD will take a few
months to finalize, and as a perfectionist, I know there are
segments that I will not finish until I am completely satisfied.
Another is most likely
a second volume of poetry, and this time I would like to focus,
in addition to other themes and new styles, on another aspect,
art, and have it play a major role. I naturally enjoy magazine
layout and design, and art work tops it.
There are illustrations
in The Unfurling; I would like to expand these. It was a
joy to work with a talented creative Saudi artist on the book
cover design and mesh ideas. I think his work within the book --
with the section breaks and interspersing the book -- adds a
charming cultural touch. Deciding on themes and receiving his
marvelous pieces of work was a delight.
| Next time, I would like
to work with a group of artists by sending them an open
invitation and see how that goes. It will mean more work
with others, their deadlines and so forth, which makes me
estimate a longer term project as a whole.
I am also working on a
project that is in the early stages -- a writing project on
youth, their dreams, concerns, and stresses. It is in a sense as
a special friend of mine once said, "Another dream, Nimah,
you have so many." And, I guess I do and try to fulfill
them however long it takes. |
My interest in the
younger generation
has always been
part of my work,
reflected in
articles,
photographs and
also poems. |
My interest in the
younger generation has always been part of my work, reflected in
articles, photographs and also poems. Because of that interest
and need to connect to the younger generation, I try in a way to
help them discover their latent abilities. So, I am in the
process of forming a young writers and poets group geared
towards writing, poetry and presentation skills.
There are several
projects in my mind and what helps is in such instances is the
female ability to multitask and set goals.
The
Unfurling
By Nimah Ismail Nawwab
Book
Description
The Unfurling is the first collection of
poems by a Saudi woman poet to ever be commercially published in
the United States. Nimah's remarkable poetry conveys in literary
English the joys, hopes, disappointments and expectations of
millions of Muslim women and men throughout the world. Indeed,
her voice speaks to the truths in all our lives regardless of
nationality. It is a voice pleading for justice, compassion and
a basic respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere.
Click
here
for ordering information.
 Nimah
Ismail Nawwab is a Saudi woman poet and author descended
from a long line of Makkan scholars. Her poems concerning women,
freedom, Arabian society, the younger generation of Saudis as
well as the universal themes of love, loss and the simple joys
of life have been widely excerpted online and in print.
She lives with her
husband and children, Aminah and Ibrahim, in Dhahran, Saudi
Arabia.
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