Bahraini collector of rare books enthrals visitors at SIBF

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

 The ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is a fountain of knowledge for residents as well as for tourists with the opportunity of acquiring their favourite pick out of thousands of titles brought by hundreds of publishers around the world.
Besides new books in more than a dozen languages, covering every topic available, many brought old, rare and classic materials including books printed on different topics, posters and magazines as old as 150 years showing the extraordinary passion of these collectors.

One such collector of old manuscripts at the 43rd edition of the Sharjah book fair was Mubark Amr AlAmmari from Bahrain.
Talking to Gulf Today, AlAmmari said, “This is my first time in Sharjah International Book Fair to showcase my personal unique collection of Arabic and English books, magazines, old newspapers, photographs of historical personalities belong to the Arabic World.
"I started the collection of old Arabic books and other materials since I was young and for the last over four decades, I collected hundreds of such books and other materials which are now part of my personal collection.”
To fulfil his passion of collecting rare Arabic books, AlAmmari visited almost all Arabic-speaking countries and visited Egypt many times where every time he found something more interesting as ever.

“I have many classic and rare books including one Arabic book printed in Malta in 1836. However, there are a few books in my collection which no one can find in any library around the world,” he said.

“After getting many requests from old book collectors and friends, I decided to open my shop in Bahrain two years ago and am receiving private collectors daily to see and admire my unique collection of old books, magazines, historical editions of old newspapers and posters,” he added.

AlAmmari mentioned that the UAE has many collectors of old books, especially Arabic, and he hopes to meet and exchange his treasure with them. “The collection I have here in the Sharjah Book Fair is more than a treasure for educators and historians. They will love to see the old books, magazines as well as reference books printed more than 100 years and preserved in good conditions,” he said.
It is also mentioned that the ongoing 11-day book fair in Expo Centre Sharjah has a couple of stalls offering unique collections of rare and classic books and other valuable materials from around the world to quench the thirst of knowledge seekers and private collectors.

New book on Sharjah's museums
The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair under the theme “This is How We Begin,” inviting visitors on an inspiring journey to explore its museums.

In celebration of this event, SMA has released a new publication titled “Sharjah Museums,” which takes readers on an enthralling journey through the diverse stories within Sharjah’s museums. This publication reflects the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who stated, “Museums are made to educate our children and our future generations.” The book is a valuable addition to the cultural library of Sharjah, showcasing the emirate's dedication to preserving its rich heritage.

The book is organised into three comprehensive sections, each spotlighting a unique aspect of Sharjah’s museums, from historical artifacts to Islamic art and modern creativity. The first section, “History and Heritage,” delves into the stages of human existence in Sharjah, presenting rare artifacts from ancient periods, such as the camel figurine discovered in Muweilah, dating back to 900–600 BCE.

The second section, “Art and Culture,” explores Sharjah’s artistic and cultural legacy, showcasing Islamic art and contemporary works that celebrate both local and international creativity.
Finally, the “Discovery and Science” section highlights Sharjah’s contributions to knowledge and discovery, featuring scientific and exploration exhibits that captivate visitors of all ages.
To showcase historical travel techniques and their impact on civilisations, the SMA exhibition platform is designed with three immersive sections that take visitors on a journey of discovery, blending intellectual activities with heritage artifacts.

In the “Journey of Knowledge and Discovery” section, visitors are invited to engage in interactive experiences designed to inspire critical and creative thinking.
At the heart of the platform is the “Travel and Exploration Exhibition,” where visitors can explore four unique artifacts from Sharjah Museums that evoke the spirit of discovery and the charm of past journeys.