His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair today, accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority. The fair, themed “The Makers of Stories,” will run until November 15 at the Sharjah Expo Centre.
During the opening ceremony, Sheikh Dr. Sultan welcomed guests from various countries, particularly the Omani delegation, this year’s guest of honour. He expressed, “We are delighted to gather with you in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to open a new chapter in the Sharjah International Book Fair. This meeting renews our hope and brings us together in love for books, appreciation for knowledge, and belief in the impact of culture on human life. We warmly welcome our Omani brothers, who share this occasion with us, providing an opportunity for the audience to discover Oman’s rich literary and cultural heritage.”
The Ruler of Sharjah emphasized the unlimited attention given to books and culture in the emirate, highlighting their influence on human development and the vital role of the Sharjah International Book Fair in spreading knowledge. He stated, “Sharjah believes that culture is a responsibility, and serving humanity starts with caring for the mind and nurturing awareness. This conviction drives our commitment to books and institutions that foster science, aiming to make knowledge accessible in people’s lives. The Sharjah International Book Fair plays an essential role in this journey, connecting readers with writers and publishers while facilitating cultural exchange among nations. We want our children to develop a love for reading and to find answers to their questions within the pages of books.”
Launch of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia
Sheikh Dr. Sultan announced the launch of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia of Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Personalities, a significant intellectual achievement from Sharjah to the world. He remarked, “Last year, we promised you the launch of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, and today we unveil 143 volumes of this encyclopedia. It will be completed by next year, ensuring it reaches readers and researchers in both print and electronic formats, thus providing a reliable Arabic reference that consolidates knowledge and facilitates access for scholars across various disciplines.”
He noted that more than 1,500 experts from various fields are working diligently on this project, saying, “We appreciate their efforts and dedication. I have directed the team working on the encyclopedia to intensify their efforts to complete it by next year, and we are prepared to provide all necessary resources to achieve this goal.”
Introduction of the Harun Al-Rashid International Award
The Ruler of Sharjah further announced the establishment of the Harun Al-Rashid International Award in the fields of science, literature, arts, and personalities. This award aims to honour scholars and creators who have significantly contributed to research and produced distinguished works in Arabic. He stated, “I am happy to announce today the launch of an international award that celebrates scholars, thinkers, and creators who have demonstrated dedication to research and authorship in these fields. Each year, we will honour four personalities who have contributed to research and knowledge, enriching the Arabic library.”
He explained the choice of the award’s name, stating, “I reflected on the Arabic history and decided on Harun Al-Rashid due to his remarkable legacy in nurturing sciences and arts, which remains appreciated to this day. We aim for this award to be a recognition of exceptional scientific contributions and to encourage continued research and authorship.”
Additionally, Sheikh Dr. Sultan introduced his new publication, “The Portuguese in the Indian Ocean,” comprising 61 volumes in Arabic and an equal number in English, the result of 37 years of meticulous research and documentation. He expressed his hope that it will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and scholars and for understanding the region’s history.
In closing his remarks, he expressed gratitude to all who contributed to organizing the fair and participating with their knowledge and work, welcoming all Sharjah’s guests from around the world, and praying for success in serving science and culture.
Acknowledgements
Sheikh Dr. Sultan, accompanied by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, honoured Moroccan researcher and academic Dr. Said Yaqub as the Cultural Personality of the Year at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, recognising his significant contributions to the Arab cultural and literary landscape.
During the opening event, Sheikh Dr. Sultan also honoured the Catalan publishing house “Caravans” for winning the Sharjah Translation Award “Tarjamana” for 2026, for its translation of selections from “One Thousand and One Nights” into Catalan, accomplished by translator Margarida Castells Cripalis. The award, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, is the largest of its kind globally, worth 1.4 million dirhams, and is awarded for the best translation of an original Arabic book into a foreign language.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan signed copies of his latest historical work, “The Portuguese in the Indian Ocean: Events in Chronicles from 1497 to 1750,” which chronicles the Portuguese presence in the Indian Ocean, East Africa, India, and parts of Asia based on original historical documents sourced from various archives. He presented copies of his new publication to several distinguished guests, including Luis Filipe Santos, Director General of Books, Archives and Libraries at the National Archive of Portugal, Dr. Henrique Litao, Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences in Lisbon, and Dr. Balaji Shenoy, Director of Archives at the Government of Goa.
He also signed a copy of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, which includes 143 volumes, and launched its official website to provide access to detailed information about the encyclopedia, offering research tools designed to assist researchers and enthusiasts in documenting the contributions of Arabic and Islamic civilization to sciences, literature, arts, and the legacies of notable historical figures.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour’s Remarks
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi welcomed the fair’s guests and highlighted this year’s guest of honour, Oman. She elaborated on the current theme, stating, “I would like to welcome you all to this new edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, especially our Omani brothers, who are this year’s guest of honour, and our esteemed guests from around the world celebrating the power of the written word and the ability of culture to foster genuine dialogue between peoples. This year’s theme, ‘The Makers of Stories,’ reflects how the stories we read and inherit shape our memories and identities.”
Sheikha Bodour emphasised the strong relationship between Sharjah and books, illustrating how an environment encouraging reading has fostered a deep appreciation for knowledge. She shared, “Our story began with books and has developed over the years into a comprehensive project for knowledge, culture, and human development. I am fortunate to have witnessed much of what you see today, from ideas to tangible achievements.”
She recounted the Ruler’s profound dedication to research, history, and the pursuit of truth, declaring, “His relationship with history goes beyond mere reading; he delves into original documents, reviewing long-held narratives. History, for him, is not just text but a live responsibility, a narrative we write today for future generations.”
Sheikha Bodour then detailed how His Highness has transformed his passion for books and scientific inquiry into institutions and spaces for learning and discovery. She stated, “His passion has not stayed confined to books; it has evolved into universities and institutions, ensuring knowledge reaches every locale and community in Sharjah.”
She noted His Highness’s unwavering commitment to supporting the success of the Sharjah International Book Fair, attributing its growth to Sheikh Dr. Sultan’s vision and support of publishers and the cultural dialogue it instigates with the world.
Oman’s Participation and Closing Remarks
Following the inauguration, Sheikh Dr. Sultan cut the ribbon to officially open the fair and toured the Omani pavilion, where he was greeted with traditional Omani chants and learned about the sultanate’s cultural contributions showcased at the fair. He received several gifts, including various encyclopedias and historical books from the Omani Ministry of Culture.
In attendance were prominent figures, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Central Finance Department, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, and many senior officials, heads of government departments, and representatives from participating countries.