Sultan Al Qasimi opens the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair

Yousef Ghanem

Amid a distinctive Gulf, Arab, and international cultural presence, and in a venue where lovers of culture and literature have traditionally gathered annually, 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 this Wednesday morning. The event was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority. The fair, held under the theme “Who Made the Stories,” will continue until the 15th of the current month at Expo Sharjah.

Appreciation of Knowledge and Faith

During the opening ceremony, the Ruler of Sharjah delivered a speech in which he welcomed attendees and guests from various countries around the world, as well as the delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, the guest of honor at this year’s edition. He said: “We welcome you to the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, and we are delighted to meet you at the opening of a new edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. This gathering renews our hope and unites us in our love for books, our appreciation of knowledge and faith, and our recognition of the impact culture has on human life. We extend a special welcome to our brothers from the Sultanate of Oman, who share in this occasion. We welcome them as guests of honor for this edition of the fair, and we are pleased that their participation offers the public an opportunity to discover the rich intellectual and literary heritage of Oman, as well as the continuous contributions of its writers and creators. We are also delighted to welcome our distinguished guests: Mr. Luis Filipe Santos, Director-General of Books, Archives, and Libraries at the National Archive of Portugal; Dr. Henrique Leitão, Vice President of the Academy of Sciences in Lisbon; and Dr. Balaji Shenoy, Director of the Archives Department of the Government of Goa. We express our deep pride in their presence and our profound appreciation for their generous participation.”

His Highness addressed the unlimited emphasis placed on books and culture in Sharjah, and their impact on human development, as well as the role of the Sharjah International Book Fair in disseminating knowledge and learning. He said: “Sharjah has believed that culture is a responsibility, and that serving humanity begins with caring for the mind and developing awareness. From this belief stems our interest in books and in institutions that support sciences, as well as every effort that brings knowledge closer to people and makes it present in their lives. The Sharjah International Book Fair plays a fundamental role in this journey. It is where readers meet authors, publishers connect with their audiences, and peoples exchange knowledge and experiences. Through it, we aim for our children to become accustomed to books, to find answers to their questions, to broaden their horizons, and to encourage them to seek and think.”

The Comprehensive Encyclopedia

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah announced the launch of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia in Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Biographies as a new intellectual achievement from Sharjah to the world. He said: “Last year, we began working on an intellectual project that we promised you at last year’s opening: the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia in Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Biographies. Today, we inaugurate 143 volumes of the encyclopedia, which will be completed and ready next year, God willing, in both print and electronic formats, to be available to readers and researchers. This step moves us closer to completing a project we envision as a reliable Arabic reference that gathers knowledge, facilitates access to it, and serves students across various disciplines. Thus, Arabs will have their comprehensive encyclopedia, just as other nations and peoples have theirs.”

Strong Support

His Highness pointed to the continued high-effort work to complete the encyclopedia, supported by substantial backing and the provision of all necessary resources to finalize this achievement. He stated, “More than 1,500 specialists from various fields of science, knowledge, and the arts from around the world are currently working on this project. We appreciate their efforts and thank them for the knowledge and expertise they contribute. I have directed the organizers of the encyclopedia to intensify their efforts and double the number of workers to complete the entire project next year, God willing. We are ready to provide all the resources the project needs so that we may all fully celebrate this achievement.”

His Highness announced the launch of the Harun al-Rashid Award in Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Biographies, adding it to the elite honors that Sharjah celebrates to recognize scholars, writers, and their contributions to serving science and culture. He said, “I am pleased to announce today the launch of an international award that honors scholars, thinkers, and creators who have strived in research, study, and authorship, and who have presented distinguished works in Arabic in the fields of sciences, literature, arts, and biographical studies. Through this award, we will celebrate every year four individuals who have contributed to serving research and knowledge in these fields and have added valuable works to the Arabic library that deserve recognition and benefit readers and researchers. I thought long and hard about the name for this award and reflected on Arab history. My choice fell on an Arab figure dear to us all, due to the great services he rendered in supporting sciences, literature, and arts, and because of the lasting impact of this figure from the second century of the Hijra to the present day. Therefore, I announce the launch of the ‘Harun al-Rashid Award in Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Biographies.’”

He added, “I know that those present are the most knowledgeable about the reason for choosing this name. Harun al-Rashid is a unique figure who has been unjustly treated by some historians who harbored prejudice against him. The time has come to elevate the status of what he contributed to the world. We want this award to serve as recognition for outstanding scientific contributions and to encourage continued research and authorship, sending a message to everyone who serves knowledge that their efforts are of interest and pride.”

His Highness also announced his new publication, “The Portuguese in the Indian Ocean,” which consists of 61 volumes in Arabic and an equal number in English. It is the result of 37 years of research, investigation, collection, and documentation. His Highness expressed his hope that it would be a beneficial addition to researchers, scholars, and historians, and serve the history of the region and its peoples.

His Highness concluded his speech by thanking everyone who contributed to organizing the exhibition and those who participated with their knowledge, ideas, and writings. He welcomed all guests of Sharjah from everywhere once again, praying to God Almighty to bless these efforts, make them beneficial, and grant everyone success in serving science, culture, and humanity.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Boudour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, honored the Moroccan researcher and academic Dr. Said Yaktine as the Cultural Personality of the Year for the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, in recognition of his scientific career and his prominent contributions to enriching the Arab cultural and literary landscape.

His Highness also honored the Catalan publishing house “Caravan,” winner of the Sharjah Translation Award “Taramjan” for 2026, for its publication of a translation of excerpts from the book “One Thousand and One Nights” into Catalan, translated by Margarida Castells Crepals. The award, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, is the largest of its kind globally, with a prize value of 1.4 million UAE dirhams, and is given for the best translation of an original Arabic book into a foreign language.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah graciously signed copies of his latest historical work, titled “The Portuguese in the Indian Ocean: Events from the Annals, 1497–1750.” This new publication by His Highness documents the Portuguese presence in the Indian Ocean, East Africa, India, and parts of Asia, drawing on original historical documents and sources that His Highness collected from archives and research centers in several countries around the world.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah also signed a copy of the “Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia in Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Biographies,” which comprises 143 volumes. His Highness furthermore inaugurated its official website, which allows everyone to access detailed information about the encyclopedia and facilitates searching for content, thanks to its distinctive features and research tools designed to assist researchers and readers. The encyclopedia documents the contributions of Arab and Islamic civilization to science, literature, and the arts, as well as biographies of prominent scientists, thinkers, writers, and historical figures.

Doors of Dialogue

Her Highness Sheikha Boudour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority Board of Directors, delivered a speech in which she welcomed attendees and the guest of honor for this year’s edition, addressing the theme of the current edition. She said: “I would like to begin by welcoming you all to this new edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, and to welcome our brothers from the Sultanate of Oman, the guest of honor of this edition, as well as our distinguished guests who have traveled from all over the world to celebrate with us the word, the book, and the power of culture to open the doors of genuine dialogue among peoples. We have chosen the theme ‘Storymakers’ for this year because the stories we read, hear, and inherit shape our memory, our identity, and the way we see the world. At the same time, each of us creates a story that leaves an imprint on those who come after. Sharjah, too, has its own story.”

Her Highness discussed the close relationship between Sharjah and books, highlighting the reading-friendly environment in which she grew up and its impact on her love of learning and knowledge. She said: “A story that began with books and expanded over the years into a comprehensive project for knowledge, culture, and human development. Today, I wish to share with you a part of this story as I have seen it from within. I am fortunate to have witnessed much of what you see today as institutions and achievements before they became reality. I saw it as an idea. I saw it as continuous work, day and night. I saw it as unwavering determination.”

Her Highness, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority Board of Directors, also addressed the rich and prolific experience of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, emphasizing his commitment to reading, research, documentation, and history in the pursuit of truth.

Sheikhha Boudour outlined His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s exceptional journey in transforming his passion for books and scientific research, through years of planning and conviction, into institutions open to learning and development everywhere.

The Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority Board of Directors highlighted His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s dedication to ensuring the success of the Sharjah International Book Fair, citing his unlimited support for publishers and his visionary understanding of the impact of this success on future generations, dialogue, and engagement with the world. She pointed to the unique and distinguished character of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, his distinctive approach to cultural communication with the world, and his efforts to distribute books so that they reach every household in Sharjah.

Her Highness addressed the efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in supporting the Arabic language, his personal follow-up of all publications related to the language, and his commitment to achieving further accomplishments. She noted that culture, knowledge, and science constitute the broad project of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah over many decades, highlighting the significant global attention and appreciation for his efforts in promoting books, as well as the prominent status of the Sharjah International Book Fair.

At the conclusion of her speech, Her Highness conveyed a message of gratitude and appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his contributions over many years to building human capacity through knowledge, consolidating learning, and instilling a love of reading in the hearts of all people.

Great Pride

Researcher and Moroccan academic Dr. Said Yaktine delivered the speech for “Cultural Personality of the Year,” expressing his overwhelming joy and deep pride upon receiving the news that he had been selected by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah as the Cultural Personality of the Year 2026. He cited two reasons for this sentiment: first, that this form of recognition differs from all the awards and honors he has previously received; and second, because it comes from Sharjah, the permanent capital of Arab culture.

Building Humanity

Saud bin Hilal bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Sultanate of Oman, delivered the speech as the guest of honor at the 45th edition of the fair. He noted that Oman’s participation as guest of honor at this prestigious exhibition presents a valuable opportunity to build bridges of cultural communication, broaden horizons for showcasing the diverse and unique Omani cultural achievements, and enhance cultural exchange with peoples and civilizations. He emphasized the development of cultural industries and creativity, grounded in the belief that culture is not merely a sector concerned with producing knowledge and preserving heritage, but a fundamental pillar for building human capacity, consolidating values, and fostering the renaissance of nations.

The ceremony began with a visual presentation inspired by the theme of the 45th edition, “From Making Stories,” which explored the relationship between humans and storytelling, how stories are shaped by human experiences and memory, and how they are passed from one generation to another, leaving an imprint on the lives of individuals and societies. The presentation posed a pivotal question: “Do we make stories, or do stories make us?” The presentation concluded with scenes highlighting the cultural landmarks of the Emirate of Sharjah and a message from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, who stated: “Culture is not temporary, culture is not imported; culture is an emanation of humanity, which remains on the earth.”