His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme Council Member, officially opened the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair on Wednesday.
The event, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), runs at Expo Centre Sharjah until November 17 and features the theme ‘It Starts with a Book.’ Morocco has been chosen as this year’s guest of honour.
During the inauguration, the Ruler of Sharjah was welcomed by several dignitaries, including H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler; Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA; Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office; and many other officials, intellectuals, and authors.
In his opening speech, the Ruler highlighted efforts to promote the Arabic language and its rich literature, sciences, and history. He underscored the importance of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language in this initiative, reaffirming his commitment to enhancing knowledge and cultural awareness while boosting the Arabic language’s global presence.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan warmly welcomed international attendees, saying: “We welcome you to the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair. We appreciate the presence of our distinguished guests, including scholars, intellectuals, writers, and publishers, as it showcases the strength of our culture.”
The Ruler expressed pride in this significant occasion that celebrates literature at the highest level and noted the extraordinary achievements of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language, reflecting Sharjah’s dedication to books and cultural heritage.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan stated: “Today, we celebrate two important events. First is the Sharjah International Book Fair itselfbooks are vital for a nation’s progress and success. In Sharjah, we honor books and their advocates, knowing they are essential for shaping societies and future generations.
As the poet Al-Mutanabbi said, ‘The best place in the world is the saddle of a galloping horse, and the best companion in life is a book.’ Our second joy is the completion of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language, a monumental scholarly achievement by a team of over 700 contributors, including writers and editors. I thank everyone involved in this important cultural project.”
Sheikh Dr. Sultan elaborated on the vision behind the corpus, a long-standing goal for the Arab world, and described his leadership role in bringing this project to completion.
He noted that the corpus preserves a vital cultural and linguistic heritage, opening doors for future projects that honor the Arabic language. “This project has been a personal dream, rooted in my belief that preserving our language is essential to preserving our people, history, and identity. Over seven years, supporters of the Arabic language gathered resources, documented rules, and captured cultural stories, and I thank them for their dedication; the dictionary is now completed in 127 volumes.”
The Ruler highlighted the comprehensive nature of the dictionary, which includes classical Arabic poetry, language from the Holy Quran and Hadith, as well as contemporary language used in media and everyday discourse.
He assured that Sharjah will continue to support cultural and educational projects promoting the Arabic language: “The Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language is a major accomplishment that gathers our linguistic heritage, from vocabulary to poetry. We share this success not as a resting point but as a commitment to further knowledge and the spread of Arab culture.”
Sheikh Dr. Sultan announced the launch of a new scholarly project, the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, covering various fields such as science, literature, and notable figures. He described this ambitious project as a way to reconnect the Arab world with its rich legacy and the achievements of its scholars, writers, and thinkers.
In closing, the Ruler addressed scholars and cultural advocates, emphasizing the bright future for the Arabic language and ongoing scholarly projects. He said, “To our youth: the future is filled with important scholarly initiatives, and I believe that the Arabic language will thrive, safeguarded by the teachings of the Holy Quran.”
The Ruler honored renowned Algerian author Ahlam Mosteghanemi as the ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’ for the fair. He also recognized the heads of Arabic language academies who contributed to the Historical Corpus, alongside Al Qasimi Publications for managing the project and its presentation.
After the opening, Sheikh Dr. Sultan signed copies of the completed Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language, the first project of its kind to document 17 centuries of Arabic language development in 127 volumes. He expressed gratitude to those who worked diligently to make this project a reality, inscribing, “With God’s grace, the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language project has been completed.”
In his speech, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), highlighted that Sharjah’s true strength lies in nurturing human potential through a deep commitment to knowledge. He said, “Books are at the heart of Sharjah’s vision, illuminating minds and creating pathways to endless possibilities.”
Al Ameri continued, “Every year, the Sharjah International Book Fair reinforces the foundations of our cultural vision, with books serving as the foundation of our highest aspirations. The emirate is dedicated to making books the core of its present and future.”
He noted the successful conclusion of the publishers conference, where over 2,000 publishers from 108 countries signed more than 3,000 contracts, marking the highest number of rights traded in the world for the fourth consecutive year.
Latifa Moftaqir, Director of Books, Libraries, and Archives in Morocco, expressed her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her country, highlighting the cultural bond between Morocco and Sharjah, which continues to strengthen.
Moftaqir shared, “Morocco is honored with a rich program featuring over 40 literary figures and exciting events, including theatrical performances and a culinary journey. Special activities for children will also showcase Moroccan crafts.”
Ahlam Mosteghanemi expressed her gratitude for being recognized as the Cultural Personality of the Year. She praised Sharjah’s role in promoting knowledge and honoring scholars, stating that these efforts inspire creativity and literary production.
She reflected on her first visit to Sharjah and the warm welcome she received, saying, “Since that day, I have become Sharjah’s biggest fan. From my heart, ‘I love you, Sharjah.’”
Mosteghanemi acknowledged Sheikh Dr. Sultan’s dedication to preserving the Arabic language and the Historical Corpus project, which brought together over 500 experts. She emphasized his legacy in safeguarding the Arabic language for future generations.
Following the opening ceremony, a short film showcased the fair’s theme, ‘It Starts with a Book,’ highlighting the importance of books in inspiring discovery and progress.
Another film detailed the seven-year journey of the Historical Corpus project, showcasing its unprecedented scope and the collaboration of 700 individuals. The project encompasses 17 centuries of Arabic language history, utilizing AI technology for global access, titled ‘MojamGPT.’
Afterward, Sheikh Dr. Sultan toured the fair, learning about the guest of honour’s programs and cultural activities.
He also visited various Sharjah-based entities, gaining insights into their contributions to the cultural landscape and support for Emirati and Arab authors.
The 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair features 2,522 publishers from 108 countries and 250 guests from 63 nations, with over 1,357 events scheduled, including workshops and discussions on important literary topics.
During the 12-day festival, more than 400 authors will sign their latest works, enriching the event’s vibrant literary scene.
