Poetry and religion: the effectiveness of the sacred religious symbol in Arabic poetry. This study looks at the use and effectiveness of religious texts in poetry. It examines religion and poetry in the ancient Arab society, and religious symbols in pre-modern Arabic poetry. It discusses the poetry as a harbinger of Arab identity in the early 20th century, its influence on modern Arab writers, Western influences, and the use of poetry as a call for renewal of the Arab culture and/or Islamic or Christian beliefs.