By: Mike Hollingworth
THE INK OF THE SCHOLAR IS MORE SACRED THAN THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYR.MOHAMMED
The above statement is both exemplified and strengthened by Charbel Baini’s latest work, ‘In praise of Ali’.
The English speaking world has been gifted by being allowed the pleasure of viewing this poet in the prime of his creativity and extend my personal thanks to the translators Naji Mourad, Joseph G.Yamouni and Elias Shaanin for their scholarly production. Translation from Arabic to English is a mind expanding exercise in verbal form alone.
For the translators to retain poetic nuance as well as the ‘soul’ of the poets personality is a feat worthy of high praise.
Charbel’s latest work consisting of twenty psalms could be said to be a representation of mankind’s duality in combination with his search for the omnipotent being.
Baini has a sound working knowledge of duality through life experience. Lebanese born, Australian citizen. Christian by birth, an Islamic scholar.
Both are integral in this latest work, as Baini challenges his readers to overcome national or religious bias and probe for the fabric of philosophical truth.
Charbel has attempted and achieved, through a combination of ethereal imagery and parabolic simplicity, in representing that eternal statement/question that appears to elude many religious scholars and religious leaders from both denominations and nationalities… ’Why fanaticism.. bias.. hatred.. suffering, in our constant search for true faith?”
Our faith already brings to our awareness that Love is the answer and always will be, and that GOD is Love. We both believe in an omnipotent being, He only has a different name. We both wish to praise Him; the ceremonies only differ.
Charbel, in pursuit and representation of this concept, has utilised imagery we have seen portrayed and refined by the likes of poets such as Hopkins and Gibran. Combining fluidity and simplicity, Baini achieves, even after translation, a compactness of thought I have come to expect only of the poetic genius.
To conclude this short prologue, I challenge the reader to pursue his own interpretation of the apparent use of the triparite by Baini. It would appear that Baini has attempted, in several of the psalms, a symbolic representation of the trinity.
Psalms 16 for example explores religious orientation in the form of ‘Man, God, Home land’; Psalm 17 ‘Mankind’s’ life journey, God, Eternity; Psalm 18 ‘Man, God, Work-Ethic’ An unusual but highly effective stylisation that the reader may chose to explore or reject as he sees fit. Further observations and comparisons would however, undoubtedly reward the reader.
I have no hesitation in recommending Charbel’s latest work to either the philosopher or the general reader, as the base message remains the same. Let us discard our robes of bigotry and explore our religious conviction in the form of practical
application, rather than an over- generous concentration on outward appearances. A diamond wrapped in either calico or muslin, remains a diamond.
A poet of extreme depth and insight, bringing together the best of both Eastern/Western philosophies in a truly imaginative and sincere style.
Charbel Baini has exemplified Mohammed’s quote, ‘The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.’ A poet of whom, both Australia and the world, shall hear more.
Highly Recommended!
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