The BBC has an interesting video available online on the popular Emirates television show take-off on “American Idol” but for poets speaking Arabic. Among the final contestants was Hissa al-Hilal, whose frank response to sexist clerics has made her a household name despite being under almost a full hijab. If you think poetry does not pay in this part of the world, think again. The winner walked away with about 1.4 million dollars and Hissa earned 817 thousand dollars. She apparently won the votes of the panel of critics, but lost out to the audience.