During Crown Prince King Saud’s visit to Palestine and Jerusalem in 1354 AH / 1935 CE, he visited the village of ‘Anabta near Tulkarm, the hometown of the martyred poet Abd al‑Rahim Mahmoud. The poet recited this poem before him, warning—remarkably early—of the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the Jews (thirteen years before the establishment of the Zionist entity and three decades before the fall of Jerusalem).
He opened his poem by addressing the Crown Prince as “Najm al‑Sa‘ud” (the Star of Saud), saying:
O Star of Saud, whose rising shines upon your brow,
wherever the caravan of your glory turns, it is followed.
You tread the earth with ease; and were you to descend
upon barren land, your presence alone would make it flourish.
These people are your people, O Prince; though distance may divide,
the hopes of the Arabs unite them around you.
They leaned toward you, and every heart—driven by longing—
is pushed forward by its love for you.
O Prince, before your eyes stands a poet
whose ribs have long enclosed bitter complaints.
Have you come to visit al‑Aqsa Mosque,
or have you come to bid it farewell before it is lost?
A sanctuary now exposed to every fugitive and wanderer,
to every stray soul seeking refuge.
Its very sons—may its surroundings be blessed—
stab it with wounds that torment it.
And soon—how near that day is—nothing will remain
but tears flowing from our eyes and teeth grinding in regret.
The vile hasten toward the great calamity,
bringing upon us what we have long feared.
A people whose judgment is misguided,
submitting to the aggressor who dominates them.
Complaint becomes sweet to the oppressed,
especially before a prince, even if tears glisten in his eyes.
Go forth, O Prince, and may divine care accompany you—
O Star of Saud, whose rising shines upon your brow.
The poet was martyred in Ramadan 1368 AH / 1948 CE, during the Nakba—may God accept him.
He is the same poet who said:
“I shall carry my soul in my palm, and cast it into the depths of death.”
Historical Notes
- The visit occurred two years after the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- King Saud was 31 years old, and the poet was 22.
- The following year, the Great Palestinian Revolt erupted.
- Diplomatic meetings at the time were attempting to resolve the Palestinian issue—efforts that continue to this day