Ali Al Jallawi began writing poetry at the age of fourteen. His early work was characterised by political ideas, and he was arrested at the age of seventeen because of a poem in which he criticised the regime in Bahrain. He was arrested again in 1995 and imprisoned until 1998. During his time in prison Ali read widely and educated himself on many subjects.

His religious and political stance changed into a passion for ideas and intellectual openness. Ali has attended many international and pan-Arab poetry festivals and gatherings to represent Bahrain, and to date has published seven volumes of poetry.

To read some of Ali’s poems in Arabic, and versions of them in other languages, visit his website.