Al Qasimi Publications has issued the heritage-based poetic play "Al Barraq and Layla Al Afeefa" by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The work revisits one of the most celebrated narratives of chaste love in Arabic literature, foregrounding ideals of chivalry, courage, and moral virtue. The publication is supplemented by a historical map identifying Arab tribes and clans traditionally associated with honour and gallantry, with full source references provided at the conclusion of the play.

Much of His Highness’s theatrical oeuvre draws upon Arab and Islamic history, invoking its symbols and prominent figures, while maintaining a distinctive focus on the local history of the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region. His works may therefore be understood as a re-reading of the past: they move beyond linear narration to reassess historical events and characters, revealing both strengths and shortcomings, and extracting lessons of contemporary relevance.

A close reading of the poetic text demonstrates the author’s adherence to the conventions of poetic theatre within the Arab tradition. The play employs a narrative-dramatic structure that privileges lyrical and metaphorical language, thereby intensifying the emotional experiences of the characters. This linguistic approach aims to convey layered meanings and affective depth, distinguishing the work from conventional or overtly violent dramatic forms. Instead, it centres on the musicality and figurative capacity of language, with particular attention to Bedouin and universal human emotions.

Historically, Arab poetic theatre has been characterised by the elevation and splendour of language, and this tradition is clearly reflected in the play. By emphasising the poetic dimensions of dialogue, emotion, and performance, the theatrical form amplifies the emotional charge of the characters and offers audiences a rich and immersive experience. In doing so, it deepens the narrative structure and draws spectators into the complex interplay of human and artistic emotions that define the theatrical experience.