Mobile Arabic Library: A Gift Connecting Roots from Sharjah to Arab Children in Poland
As part of efforts to promote reading among younger generations, the “Kalimat Foundation” has gifted a mobile Arabic library to the “Welcome Poland” organization. This library serves as a valuable resource for Arab children living in Poland, aiming to strengthen their connection to their language and culture in a setting far from their homelands. This initiative is part of the “Adopt a Library” program, designed to provide Arabic children’s books to institutions and community centers worldwide, especially in areas lacking suitable Arabic content for children.
Library Gift and Initiative Goals
The library was officially presented at the National Library in Warsaw during the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026. In the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and president of the “Kalimat Foundation,” the library was handed over to the “Welcome Poland” organization, which specializes in education and offers lessons in both Arabic and Polish to members of the Arab community. Additionally, this organization organizes cultural and educational programs for both children and adults from the Arab and Polish communities.
Ceremony Activities and Children’s Engagement
The ceremony featured a presentation outlining the mission of the “Kalimat Foundation” and the goals of its initiative, along with an interactive workshop where children created small mobile libraries inspired by the gifted library. This experience positively impacted the children, providing them with a means to express themselves and create memories associated with their new gift, thereby enhancing their passion for reading. Sheikha Bodour engaged with the children, exploring the miniature libraries they designed, while delivering an inspiring talk about the importance of reading in Arabic.
The Importance of Reading and Its Role in Shaping Identity
Sheikha Bodour shared her insights on the significance of reading in Arabic, stating, “Every child has the right to enjoy reading in the language closest to their heart.” She emphasized that the library holds profound meaning for Arab children far from their homelands, as it acts as a bridge connecting them to their heritage and identity. She added, “Through the ‘Adopt a Library’ initiative, we aim to ensure that distance does not hinder the relationship between a child and a book, as reading contributes to shaping children’s thought processes and enriching their imagination.”
Commitment of the Kalimat Foundation and Support for the Initiative
The “Kalimat Foundation,” through the “Adopt a Library” initiative, seeks to provide mobile Arabic libraries to institutions and centers serving children, thereby reinforcing the presence of the Arabic language in their environments. A collection of artistic products was also showcased under the title “Kalimat Foundation × El Seed,” with proceeds from these products dedicated to supporting the initiative. This approach underscores the importance of a child’s right to read, a right that transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries, including for visually impaired children by providing accessible books.
The mobile Arabic library gifted by the “Kalimat Foundation” is a significant step in supporting the Arab community in Poland, helping children maintain their connection to their heritage and culture through reading, thus highlighting the role of reading in building identity and enhancing cultural understanding.