Anti-colonial ideas in the poetry of Ahmad Sehnoon

 The spread of anti-colonial thought in Arabic began when the Arab elites informed people about the ominous goals of colonialism and invited them to persist against occupiers. On the other hand, the oppression imposed by colonial governments on the peoples paved the way for the reinforcement of people's political sustainability. In this way, the poets began to write poems by approaching their poetic language to the language and needs of society. Contemporary Algerian poet, Ahmad Sahnoun is one of the poets who has boldly and explicitly focused to the subject of decolonization at the center of his poems. In this study, we intend to explore the most important colonialism effects in his poetry.

 This study uses descriptive-analytical method and relies on the library resources with regard to the goals and raised questions. Therefore, his poems about anti-colonial thought are first extracted from the book and then the components are analyzed.

 With the emergence of colonialism and capture of Arab countries, literati and poets which initially concerned with the oppressive rulers, gradually addressed the people and called upon them to fight for the preserving of their national existence. From this time, the literature took a shape of resistance and took charge of nation's awakening. Ahmad Sahnoun's poem also reflects the events that occurred by French. He is disturbed since colonialism has captured his country and calls on the people to stand up against them and never give up. He calls on the warriors to stay steadfast against the aggressors and not be afraid of their weapon's power and impressiveness through different imperative verbs and epic and strong language and similes that their resemblance was stand firm against the oppressors, since death is more pleasant than living with slavery and accepting humility.The issue of unity is also one the most fundamental issues in each society and is considered as one of the themes of anti-colonial poetry. Anti-colonial poets always sought to unite people of their homeland and even other Muslim countries, since unity and empathy are one of the factors for the victory of nations and, in contrast, division and collapsing have been the cause of their disintegration and failure.Furthermore, Ahmad Sahnoun calls for unity and empathy when he sees the turmoil in his community and the turmoil in his community and the divisions among Muslims. He believes that unity and solidarity between the parties of society as the only way to overcome and win against colonist, which is achievable if the heads of any governments, abandon their greed and avarice.In principle, anti-colonial poets have played an active role in creating a spirit of hope in people. Ahmad Sahnoun is not an exception and, in his poems, he always draws a bright future for his people to have hope and encourage them to resist against the aggressor. From the poet's point of view, the oppressors' governments and colonial rulers will soon collapse and hope will be blown. In fact, he wants to soothe the people's heart of his land, with the good news that the occupiers will be punished for their cruelty that impose on innocent people. The poet gives hope not only to his people but to all Muslims and repeats this meaning many times in his poetry.The greatest danger that threatens any society and provides its collapsing and failure is hopelessness and despair. If this dangerous disease spreads to the mind and thought of the community, especially the youth, it can easily lead to its destruction and annihilation. Thus, the poet promises bright days to reinforce the spirit of his people and fighters for freedom, the days when great aspirations will come true, and that is the moment when the light glints and the shade of darkness will be removed. He recommends that people endure hardships and not be afraid of prisons that on day of freedom, they will forget all those hardships.

The obtained results are as follows:Ahmad Sahnoun is a committed and obligated poet whose commitment element the predominant aspect of his poetry, so the extent of anti-colonial literature is his poems is highly reflected. Observing the deplorable state of society in poverty and misery on the one hand and plundering the riches of the homeland in the other hand, made the poet angry and encouraged him to enter the scene with all his abilities.A wide section of Ahmad Sahnoun's poems has been written with the theme of calling for unity and encourage people to fight against colonists. His active involvement in the field of literature has played a significant role in arousing national and patriotic sentiments of Algerian people against colonialism. He has fulfilled his mission towards the fate of society by increasing his knowledge and aspiration for freedom and an ideal future as well as revealing the evil image of colonialism.The tone and atmosphere of anti-colonial poetry is epic, lampoon and generally criticism and objection to the presence of colonialists. In the meantime, his poetry is remarkably clear and vivid, and without any conservation condemning the colonial countries and revealing their evil intentions.