'Sharjah believes every child has the right to read, question and explore,' says Bodour

As part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts to empower children with access to knowledge, Kalimat Foundation launched a series of educational and cultural initiatives across multiple Moroccan cities, coinciding with the 30th edition of the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair.

Commenting on the initiatives, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, said: “We are not simply providing children with books; we are offering them tools to dream and a window onto a broader world of possibilities. In Morocco, we brought with us Sharjah’s belief that every child has non-negotiable rights: the right to read, to question, and to explore.

These initiatives reflect our mission to build communities that view investment in children as an investment in the future. In every book we shared, and every interactive reading session we hosted, our message remained clear: knowledge is a basic right of every child, and reading makes a real difference in both individual lives and entire communities.”

Children are absorbed in her narration, grasping every word.

The programmes aimed to foster a reading culture in both educational and social settings and saw the gifting of 600 books under the “Pledge a Library” initiative.

These included 400 Arabic-language children’s books across four Portable libraries, each containing 100 titles, delivered to schools and associations, along with 200 additional books gifted to the winners of the Moroccan Reading Network Award.

Official visit to Moulay Ali Cherif Primary School in Rabat

The Foundation’s programme culminated in an official visit to Moulay Ali Cherif Primary School in Rabat, led by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation.

She was received by the school’s director, ElMostafa Bouarda, who briefed her on the school’s educational efforts and accompanied her on a tour of the classrooms along with other members of the delegation.

Dignitaries at the event.

During the visit, Sheikha Bodour held an interactive reading session with students, sharing excerpts from her book House of Wisdom, which highlights the legacy of knowledge and Arab civilisation.

As part of the Foundation’s vision to nurture a lifelong connection with reading, she gifted each child a personal copy of the book — planting a seed for curiosity and intellectual growth.

The school was also gifted a Portable library of 100 Arabic-language children’s books, reinforcing Kalimat Foundation’s commitment to making knowledge more accessible to young learners.

The event was attended by a number of prominent Emirati and Moroccan figures in the cultural and educational sectors, including Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah and Board Member of Kalimat Foundation; Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority and Board Member of Kalimat Foundation; Abdellah Sghir, Regional Director at the Moroccan Ministry of National Education in Salé; Rachida Roki, President of the Association Reading Network in Morocco; Yasmine Kouikbi, representative of the Moroccan Council for Children’s Books; as well as education leaders and representatives of partner organisations.

Field visit and library upgrade at ASSAS Association in Ifrane

Kalimat Foundation also carried out a field visit to the ASSAS Association in Ifrane, where it donated a Portable library of 100 Arabic-language books.

The visit included a reading session of Famous by Accident, published by Kalimat Group, followed by a hands-on creative workshop where children designed costumes based on the book’s characters.

Sheikha Bodour led a series of educational and cultural initiatives launched by the Kalimat Foundation across multiple Moroccan cities.

In addition to donating books, the Foundation supported the renovation and upgrade of the association’s library and provided ten digital tablets to enhance the learning environment with interactive tools and promote sustainable education.

These initiatives were made possible through proceeds from the sale of products designed in collaboration with Emirati artist Mohammed Al Mansoori, Kalimat Foundation’s Creative Ambassador, with a portion of the proceeds allocated to fund the “Pledge a Library” programme in Morocco.

Two more Portable libraries and 200 books for young reading champions

The Foundation also donated two additional Portable libraries — one to the Walja Al Sultan School Group and another to the Al Tanmiya School Group — each containing 100 Arabic books.

Additionally, 200 books were presented to children awarded by the Moroccan Reading Network in recognition of their commitment to reading. These gifts aimed to reward their passion, expand their cultural horizons, and nurture their intellectual growth.

Rachida Roky, President of the Association Reading Network in Morocco, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, saying: “What Kalimat Foundation has brought to Morocco goes beyond book donations.

It establishes a living relationship between children and knowledge through interactive experiences that enrich reading and connect it to everyday life. These initiatives serve as a model of collaborative Arab cultural action and reflect a genuine commitment to making reading a right for all — not a privilege for a few.”

Kalimat Foundation’s work in Morocco is part of its broader mission to ensure children — particularly those affected by economic hardship, remote geographies, or humanitarian crises — have access to knowledge. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed thousands of books and implemented impactful initiatives across dozens of countries, placing literacy and reading at the heart of its development and humanitarian goals.