Q: Write down an article about the literature of Al Mahjar with special reference to the contribution of Jibran Khalil Jibran.

What is Mehjar Literature?
The turn of new century witnessed the emergence of a “New Look” in Arabic literature. Its exponents were the emigrants from the Levant to the Americas. These emigrants form a distinct school of writing. The writings of these Mehjar poets were influenced by western romantic poetry and their own social, political, economic and cultural background. Mehjar literature was a revolt against old traditions of Arabic literature.

When it emerged?

Mehjar Litrature or Adab ul Mehjar flowered to eminence between the two World Wars. The literary efforts of Mehjar poets received support and encouragement more markedly in the twenties from Pen Association, founded in New York in 1920 by emigrant writers.

Prominent Features:
Mehjar literature was a bridge between he East and the West, between old and new era. Its prominent features are:
1)Total freedom
2)Individual style
3)Nationalism
4)Humanity
5)Love of Nature
6)Simplicity and musical style
7) Religious freedom
8)Pictorial quality

Eminent Poets:

Jibran Khalil Jibran, Mikhail Nuaima, Abdul Masih Haddad, Amin Rehani, Iliya Abu Mazi and Nasib Arida were the most eminent poets of Mehjar literature. These poets revolted against all what was traditional in Arabic prose and poetry and demanded to express life as it is reflecting human emotions.

Jibran Khalil Jibran:

Jibran Khalil Jibran who inspired a whole generation of writers developing Mehjar literature was born of poor parents. He migrated to the United States in 1985. He was a wayward genius whose works have been translated in many other languages. He was the distinguished product of Al Hikma school in Beruit.

His contribution to Mehjar literature:

He was the driving force behind the formation of Pen Association and was elected its president. His output is wide and varied. He wrote eight books in Arabic and equal number in English. His famous works are:
1) Al Mawakeeb
As love and yearning for the homeland, where simplicity and spiritualism were a way of life, was a prominent feature of Mehjar literature, the Mehjar poets depicted the flaws of urban life in their works. Jibran too, in this book, enumerates the flaws of urban life and ends by migrating to the woods.
2) Arais ul Murooj
This is one of the first good collections of Arabic short stories. It contains three stories about life and social problems in Lebanon. Social disparity formed the main theme of his short stories.
3) Al Arwah ul Mutamarida
This is his second collection of short stories in which Jibran lashes out against religious and political vested interests.
4)Al Ajniha tul Mutakasira
This book is inspired by Jibran’s love for the girl of his dreams whom he met on coming to the Lebanon from United States.
5)Dama wa Ibtisama
Dama wa Ibtisama is a poetic prose. It is important for its contents that dwell on universal problems such as man’s conflict with fate and the theory of transmigration of souls.
Conclusion:
Jibran was the most prominent figure of Adab ul Mehjar. He led the revolt against conventional style of Arabic prose and poetry. It is to his credit that he linked literature to life at a time when it was more or less ignored in Arab works. His contribution in Mehjar literature made him an outstanding man of letters.

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