Sheikh Dr. Sultan Opens 44th Sharjah International Book Fair with 44-Volume Arabic Encyclopedia Launch
Sheikh Dr. Sultan Opens the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair, Unveils Landmark Arabic Encyclopedia
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially inaugurated the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) at Expo Centre Sharjah. Held under the inspiring theme āBetween You and the Book,ā the fair runs from November 5 to 16, 2025, continuing Sharjahās long-standing commitment to promoting literature, culture, and knowledge.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), along with numerous ministers, writers, and international delegates.
A Tribute to Knowledge and Culture
In his opening speech, Sheikh Dr. Sultan extended a warm welcome to the guests and the Guest of Honour, Greece, praising their cultural and literary heritage. He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the continued success of Sharjahās cultural journey, which began a century ago with the establishment of the emirateās first public library in 1925.
He reaffirmed Sharjahās enduring vision:
āWe dedicate ourselves to the service of culture, raising its banner and spreading knowledge, arts, and literature across our nation.ā
This mission, he said, reflects Sharjahās belief that cultural development is the foundation of societal progress.
Launch of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia
A key highlight of Sheikh Dr. Sultanās address was the announcement of the completion of the first phase of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, a monumental project that aims to document centuries of Arab and Islamic scholarship.
The first phase, completed under the supervision of the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, consists of 44 volumes covering a vast range of topics in linguistic, literary, and religious sciences ā including grammar, rhetoric, Quranic studies, jurisprudence, Islamic economics, and phonetics.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan outlined the timeline for the remaining phases:
Second phase (2026): Focus on humanities and notable Arab literary figures.
Third phase (2027): Broader inclusion of cultural and philosophical subjects.
Final phase (2028): Completion of what will become the largest scientific and cultural encyclopedia in the Arab world.
He emphasized that the encyclopedia seeks to connect the present generation with the Arab and Islamic intellectual heritage, serving as an authentic reference for scholars and readers alike.
Honouring Cultural Excellence
The ceremony also recognized distinguished contributors to Arab culture.
Egyptian writer and playwright Mohamed Salmawy was named the Cultural Personality of the Year for his outstanding contributions to Arab literature and theatre.
Dr. OndÅej Brank, who translated The Mission of Ibn Fadlan from Arabic to Czech, received the prestigious āTarjumanā award, valued at Dh 1.4 million, making it the worldās largest prize for Arabic translation.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan also signed copies of his latest monumental work, āThe Compendium of Histories of the Arabian Peninsula and Persia, 1622ā1810,ā a 33-volume historical collection published in both Arabic and English. The project features over 1,400 original archival documents, gathered and analyzed over four decades.
A Global Celebration of Books
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, announced that SIBF has been ranked the worldās number-one book fair for five consecutive years, reflecting the emirateās global influence in publishing and cultural exchange. This yearās edition hosts over 2,500 publishers from 118 countries, including the largest African publishing representation outside Africa, and significant participation from Asia and Europe.
Al Ameri credited these achievements to Sheikh Dr. Sultanās visionary leadership:
āHis Highnessās dedication ensured that this fair continues to thrive, serving as a beacon of culture, knowledge, and coexistence.ā
Guest of Honour Greece was represented by Jason Fotilas, the Greek Deputy Minister of Culture, who praised Sharjahās efforts to foster intercultural dialogue. He remarked,
āCulture is the shortest path between hearts. It knows no borders or barriers of language or belief.ā
A Cultural Journey That Inspires Generations
Following the inauguration, Sheikh Dr. Sultan toured the fair, visiting the pavilions of Greece, the UAE Ministry of Culture, Sharjah Identity, Sharjah Media City (Shams), Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and leading universities. He also stopped by the Qasimi Publications and Sharjah Arabic Language Academy pavilions to review their latest publications and cultural initiatives.
The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair once again positions Sharjah as a global capital of culture and literature, where books serve as bridges between civilizations and knowledge continues to light the path for future generations.
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