VIENNA, April 18, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Life and politics continue to charge the inspiration batteries of Essam Alameldin to give voice to the emotions and concerns of Muslim and Arab minorities in Austria through communicative poetry, colored with a special sense of humor.

From the Palestinian Intifada and the downfall of Baghdad to the hijab ban in France and Danish cartoons, his poetry has cruised into the hearts of fellow Muslims and Arabs.

"Had it not been for the heartbreaking sight of Mohammad Al-Durah, I would not have resumed writing," the Egyptian-born poet, nicknamed "Poet of Blue Danube" by his fans, told IslamOnline.net.

The image of the 12-year-old Palestinian child, who was gunned down by Israeli soldiers in the lab of his father in 2001, had shock the world conscience.

The homesickness Alameldin felt after immigrating to Austria in 1989 did not inspire him unlike most of the poets.

"Durah brought my poetry back to life and unleashed a sea of oppressed emotions; I really owe him a lot," recalled Alameldin, his eyes glittering with tears.

Alameldin was born in 1964, in Egypt's Giza governorate, to a cultured middle-class family. He spent his childhood and early years of adulthood devouring books and newspapers in his father's humble bookstore.

"I made my first foray into poetry in school as I used to write the lyrics of songs for student parties," he recalled.

What is unique about Alameldin's poetry is that it is communicative and music to the ear.

"I write in simple colloquial Egyptian in a way that can be understood by all Arabs, which helped my poetry appeal to a broad section of the Arabic-speaking community in Austria," he said.

"I admit that I don't master standard poetry, but what really matters in poetry is what you write not the way you write."

Alameldin has not been influenced by a certain poetic school, though he greatly admired the poetry of renowned poets who excelled themselves in the art of colloquial poetry like Beram El-Tunsi, Foad Haddad, Abdel Rahman El-Abnody and Salah Jahin.

"Some tell me that I have my own style, but I can say that I write with an Islamic spirit, if you will," he noted.

For Alameldin poetry is a powerful tool highlight people's concerns and also their shortcomings.

In one of his poem he tells young people dreaming of immigration to open their eyes a bit wider.

"I saw it in cinema like a paradise/But when I went there, I discovered the harsh reality/True that the streets are clean, but where have the feelings of its people gone?/I found cruel hearts, due to the cold weather, may be/My fellowmen came here to sell newspapers and magazines/And even the liquor has been sold."

Angered by the French hijab ban he wrote: "No France, No Monsieur Chirac/And you the chaste hijab-clad woman like an angel on earth don’t be shaken by the ignorant/Adhere to your humanity and refuse to be treated as a commodity/Your hijab is a crown, a guiding light in the dark nights/how can we obey the creature and disobey the Creator?"

Alameldin like millions of Muslims worldwide was also moved by the Danish cartoons that lampooned Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

He translated his anger into poetry.

"We all say it unison/We all meant it from the bottom of our hearts/We are ready to sacrifice ourselves four our Prophet Muhamamd/We the faithful say it to the truthful and trustworthy Prophet/We will remain Muslims till our last breath."

Yet, he also writes self-criticism.

Alameldin also lamented the absence of an active role by the Islamic Center in Vienna, which he says failed to cater for the needs of the Muslim minority.