I met UAE-based poet Dr. Shihab Ghanim at the Sharjah International Book Fair after a long interval. This time, he is among those being honored by the Sharjah Book Authority. Dr. Shihab Ghanem is a prominent Emirati engineer, economist, poet, author, and translator. Born in Aden, Yemen, in 1940 into a distinguished literary and intellectual family—his father was the notable Arab poet Muhammad Abduh Ghanem—he has lived and worked extensively in the United Arab Emirates (primarily Dubai), contributing profoundly to both industry and the arts.
1. Professional & Academic Background
Dr. Ghanem uniquely bridges the worlds of technical science and literature:
Engineering & Economics: He earned a double degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Aberdeen University, Scotland (1964), a master’s degree in Water Resources Development from Roorkee University, India (1975), and a Ph.D. in Industrial Development from the Department of Economics at Cardiff University, Wales (1989).
Professional Career: Over decades in the UAE, he held major leadership roles, including serving as Director of Engineering for DP World and the Jebel Ali Free Zone, and Managing Director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park. He is widely recognized for his 1992 reference book, Industrialization in the United Arab Emirates.
2. Literary & Translation Work
Poetry: Dr. Ghanem has published dozens of books, including numerous volumes of Arabic verse (such as Al-Amwaj and One Hundred and One Poems) and poetry collections translated into English (such as Shades of Love and In the Valley of the Muses). His poetry often touches on themes of human understanding, culture, peace, and heritage.
Translation: He is an active translator, rendering modern Arabic poetry into English and introducing international works into Arabic. His translations have earned him international acclaim, including being named International Best Translator of the Year by the IPTRC in China (2014).
Cultural Initiatives: He is a co-founder and advisor of The Poetic Heart, an annual international poetry festival held in Dubai.
3. Honors and Awards
Dr. Ghanem has received numerous prestigious accolades throughout his career, most notably:
Tagore Peace Prize (2012/2013): Awarded by the Asiatic Society in Kolkata, India, making him the first Arab recipient of the prize for his contributions to human understanding and peace.
Soka University Honorary Doctorate (2015): Awarded an honorary doctorate in literature from Tokyo, Japan.
Regional Recognitions: Including the Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence (1989), the Al Owais Award, the Sharjah Government Book Award, and recognition as a Cultural Personality of the Year.
