Ah! The old Rub’ Al Khali is not a stranger, here.
It stirs and rustles with your praise.

The old Rub’ Al Khali speaks to me.
It reaches my ears and whispers:
“The sweet song of the wind will play
Its melody, eternally!
For your upright land – the miracle”.

Ah! The old Rub’ Al Khali is not a stranger, here.
It stirs and rustles with your praise.

Your realm shines like wonder of wonders!
Nations are dazzled by the light of progress.
Peace flows through your noble deeds.
Your subjects get the finest view!
I, too, dip in the chalice of your goodwill…

Blessing my stars that I am here.
Thinking of my home faraway.
Actually, I sway like a happy child,
Cherishing my two homes.
My beloved two homes!

May Allah’s bounties keep coming here, evermore,
To lay divine dreams in your bright vision.

Your ancestors looked the adversity in the eye.
Outside, by the sandy dunes in raging heat –
They toiled from dawn to dusk,
To build their blessed repute.
Their kindness approached everyone.

Ah! The old Rub’ Al Khali is not a stranger, here.
It stirs and rustles with their praise!


Dubai
9th March 2015

Geeta Chhabra

The poet presented the scroll to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Zabeel Palace, Dubai on 11th March 2015.