SIBF opens in Sharjah with 'A World in My Book' theme

SHARJAH: One of the world's biggest literary events — Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) — opened its doors Wednesday in the Emirates at the local expo centre.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi — a member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Supreme Council and the emirate's ruler — inaugurated the 36th edition of the SIBF.

Among the guest list are Pakistan's former cricket captain Wasim Akram, author and journalist Mohammed Hanif, and journalist Sarfraz Manzoor.

With the theme "A World in My Book," the SIBF showcases over 1.5 million books in numerous languages and features 1,650 publishing houses from 60 countries.

The fair will continue through November 11.

At the inaugural ceremony, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad the creeping influence of malevolent ideas that darken understanding and brainwash individuals, divest minds of science, intellect, knowledge, culture, and light, and prey on the youth.

These ideas, he said, threaten the local culture, beliefs, and heritage, adding that such darkness can only be faced with the light of truthful words, science, and culture.

The opening ceremony featured a short documentary about four new books authored by the Ruler of Sharjah; these included Poetry Debates between Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi and His Friend, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul-Aziz Al Siddiqui; Tale of A City – Second Volume; Very Important Journey; and I Owe.

All of these were signed by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and presented to senior guests from around the world.

Ahmed Al Ameri — the Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) — said, "The fair has led to Sharjah being recognized as the Islamic Cultural Capital and Cultural Capital of the Arab World. The emirate's ever-increasing international status as a source of knowledge, positivity and ambition has now also helped it to achieve the title of UNESCO's World Book Capital 2019."

The guests comprised a host of authors, academics, artists, and journalists, who will not only showcase their most significant literary and artistic products but also address many important topics over 11 days.