Sharjah 24:
During a recent panel discussion titled “This Is How Books Speak,” Emirati poet and writer Sheikha Al-Mutairi urged a re-evaluation of our strategies for encouraging children to read. She emphasised that love for books does not stem from direct orders and instructions, but rather blossoms from curiosity, discovery, and experiences that allow children to nurture their own unique relationships with literature. To cultivate this love, it is essential to move beyond treating reading as a school obligation or relying solely on traditional phrases that tout the benefits of reading.
The session was hosted by the Sharjah Public Libraries pavilion as part of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair and was moderated by writer Ghith Al-Hosani. Al-Mutairi shared personal anecdotes from her relationship with books and libraries, referencing her experiences documented in her latest work, “Days of Books,” which she signed during the fair. She highlighted the role of family and libraries in shaping an individual’s awareness and underscored the importance of the human element in promoting a reading culture.
Reflecting on her earliest memories with books, Al-Mutairi recalled receiving her textbooks in the first grade, which instilled in her a sense of confidence and pride. She noted that carrying a book made a child feel a part of the adult world, as if proudly declaring, “I am a reader.”
Addressing the challenge of motivating children to read, Al-Mutairi pointed out that reading should not be imposed as a chore but rather presented as an enjoyable activity stemming from a genuine desire for knowledge. “We have burdened generations with phrases urging them to read, without realising the futility in demanding constant reading from children without allowing them the space to discover what they need on their own,” she stated.
Al-Mutairi also spoke about the significant impact her father had on fostering her intellectual curiosity. She recounted an instance where he asked her to research a biography of a notable figure in the “Dictionary of Names,” without providing detailed instructions. This task motivated her to explore the encyclopedia independently, ultimately leading her to become familiar enough with it to select it as a topic for a school project.
Regarding her book “Days of Books,” Al-Mutairi revealed that it initially began as a project to collect unusual laws related to libraries. However, after receiving advice from fellow writer Ghith Al-Hosani, she incorporated her personal experiences into the narrative. This guidance prompted her to shift her writing approach from merely presenting information to telling stories and recounting the situations she encountered on her literary journey.
Al-Mutairi reminisced about her relationship with the Jamia Al-Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, recalling how she first learned about the name Jamia Al-Majid during her childhood through related business activities. This early exposure eventually led her to discover his prominent presence in the sphere of culture and knowledge, along with his connections to thinkers and readers, transforming that experience into a significant part of her personal and professional memory.
She asserted the importance of documenting individual experiences and daily reflections, believing that what may seem like ordinary details at the moment can, over time, evolve into cultural and human narratives worthy of sharing. Al-Mutairi cited her habit of journaling and sketching places she visited during a time when photographing was not as accessible.
In another aspect of the session, she stressed the need for libraries and cultural institutions to maintain their human dimension, urging them to view visitors, particularly children and students, as individuals with diverse interests and needs rather than simply recipients of predefined programmes.
Concluding her remarks, Al-Mutairi recounted a situation from a school visit, where she was able to transform a student’s behaviour, often perceived as challenging, into an opportunity for communication and dialogue. By paying attention to the student’s appearance and self-confidence, and by actively listening, she illustrated how human interaction can have a more profound impact than direct instructions. Ultimately, she affirmed that the greatest gift books and libraries offer is the ability to create avenues for discovery, connection, and understanding others.