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The highly anticipated grand finale of Shair Al Million Season 12 is set to air on Tuesday evening, marking the culmination of one of the most prestigious Nabati poetry competitions in the Arab world. The live broadcast of the sixteenth and final episode will take place at 9 PM from Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi, according to the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, which produces the show under the slogan “Our Poem is One.”
Viewers across the region will be able to watch the Shair Al Million finale through multiple channels, including Abu Dhabi TV, Baynounah TV, and the official Shair Al Million YouTube channel. The episode will determine which of the six remaining poets will claim the coveted title and substantial prize money in this season’s competition.
Six Finalists Compete for Shair Al Million Title
The six finalists advancing to the final round include Hamad Mihya Al Aibani and Abdullah Mohammed Al Ajmi from Kuwait, Hussam bin Fayyah from Saudi Arabia, Abdul Majeed Al Azza Al Subaiei, Mohammed Manawer Al Nufaie, and Amer Al Ayedhi, all representing Saudi Arabia. These poets emerged from the penultimate round with competitive scores ranging from 25 to 27 points out of a possible 30.
The judging panel, composed of Dr. Sultan Al Amimi, Dr. Ghassan Al Hassan, and poet Hamad Al Saeed, awarded the highest score of 27 points to three contestants in the previous round. Meanwhile, the remaining finalists received 26 and 25 points respectively, setting up a tight competition for the final episode.
Scoring System and Audience Participation
The finale will implement a comprehensive scoring system that combines judges’ evaluations with public voting. Each finalist will receive scores out of 30 points from the judging panel in the final episode, which will be added to their scores from the previous round. Additionally, audience voting will account for 40 percent of the total final score, ensuring that public opinion plays a significant role in determining the winner.
This dual evaluation approach reflects the program’s commitment to balancing expert assessment of Nabati poetry with popular appreciation of the art form. The combination of these elements has made the competition increasingly competitive throughout its twelve-season run.
Record Prize Money for Nabati Poetry Competition
The total prize pool for Shair Al Million Season 12 exceeds 15 million dirhams, reinforcing the program’s status as the largest Nabati poetry competition in terms of both material and moral value. This substantial investment by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority underscores the cultural significance placed on preserving and promoting traditional Arabic poetry forms.
The first-place winner will receive the title of “Shair Al Million,” the Poetry Banner, and 5 million dirhams. However, all six finalists are guaranteed significant prizes, with second place earning 4 million dirhams, third place receiving 3 million dirhams, and fourth place awarded 2 million dirhams. The fifth-place finalist will take home 1 million dirhams, while the sixth-place poet will receive 600,000 dirhams.
Cultural Impact and Heritage Preservation
The program represents a major initiative by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority to celebrate and preserve Nabati poetry, a traditional form of Arabic vernacular poetry deeply rooted in Gulf culture. By offering substantial prizes and widespread media coverage, the competition has successfully attracted talented poets and elevated the profile of this cultural art form across generations.
The winner’s identity and final rankings will be announced at the conclusion of Tuesday’s live broadcast, bringing Season 12 to a close and crowning a new champion of Nabati poetry. The outcome remains uncertain given the close scoring in previous rounds and the significant weight of public voting in the final tally.
