Sheikh Sultan receives Dr Salah Mohammed Al Baijan at Al Badi’a Palace on Tuesday. WAM

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Academics, intellectuals, and visitors made a beeline for the Sharjah Book Authority’s (SBA) pavilion at the Rabat International Book Fair (RIBF) where they sought to explore two books – “I Condemn” and “The Inquisition”  — written by Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.

Visitors to the pavilion lauded the efforts of Sheikh Sultan in documenting important regions and decisive historical events in which Arabs and Muslims played a major role, particularly events that document the Arab presence in Andalusia, southern Spain.

They noted that Sheikh Sultan’s vision manifests an interest in documenting Arab and Islamic history and presenting it to readers on the basis of precise scientific research methodologies, highlighting Arab cultural relics in Europe.

The SBA concluded its participation in the 27th edition of the Rabat International Book Fair, organised by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco.

Inaugurated by Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, the 11-day event was an earnest  celebration of books,  creative thinkers, authors, and poets for a world coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister visited the SBA pavilion, where he met  Fadel Hussain Bu Seim, Director of SBA in the Eastern Region and head of Sharjah’s delegation to the book fair.

Bu Seim presented the Minister a copy of Sheikh Sultan’s The Inquisition.  He also met Dr Said Mohammed Al Bar’ami, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Morocco, and presented him Sheikh Dr Sultan’s

Speaking about the SBA’s participation in the book fair, Bu Seim said: “SBA’s participation in the Rabat International Book Fair stems from the realisation that regional and international cultural events help forge and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with regional and international institutions. Since cultural events witness a huge turnout of visitors from around the world, they bolster efforts to nurture Arab and Emirati culture.”

He added: “The SBA’s participation in regional and international events align with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi to serve better the emirate’s developmental project. Participating in RIBF 2022 “is a clear indicator of Morocco’s important contributions and role in the Arab cultural scene. It is a reinforcement of our bilateral relations and a celebration of our creative expertise. Our journey in support of the Arab literary movement in the African continent began with Algeria. After Morocco, we will visit the Tunis International Book Fair.”

During the book fair in Rabat, the SBA organised a symposium titled “Contemporary Arab Horizons,’” which brought together Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emirates Writers Union, and Mohammed Ait Hanna, Moroccan author and translator. on the luminaries discussed several topics including critique and contemporary thoughts on Arab literature.

For his part, Sultan Al Amimi said: “Sharjah’s active presence in Arab and international book fairs serves as a cultural platform for Emirati and Arab authors to share their ideas with their counterparts from other parts of the world and promotes their publications among readers of all nationalities and cultures.”

“This contributes to constructive communication among intellectuals and offers a common ground for positive dialogue that invests in culture and enhance cross-cultural  communication. Sharjah’s initiative in this under the leadership of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is globally recognised,” he added.

Separately, Sheikh Sultan received Dr Salah Mohammed Al Baijan, Ambassador of Kuwait to the UAE, at Al Badi’a Palace on Tuesday.

The Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the Kuwaiti Ambassador, who came on a farewell visit on the occasion of the end of his tenure as ambassador, praising his efforts in strengthening relations between the two countries.

Sheikh Sultan stressed the depth of the strong relations between the UAE and Kuwait, underpinned by a long history of joint efforts and cooperation.

He recalled Kuwait’s contribution to education in the UAE before the establishment of the Union, such as building schools and providing teachers and books, in addition to its support to the health sector by building hospitals.