The ruler of Sharjah, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, has allocated 4.5 million dirhams to supply the emirate's public and government libraries with the latest releases from publishers participating in the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair. The fair, which sees the participation of 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, features the latest Arabic and foreign releases across various fields of knowledge, sciences, and literature. This grant aims to strengthen the vision of the ruler of Sharjah for advancing the book industry, facilitating access for readers, researchers, and students in the emirate of Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates to the latest knowledge, literature, and science, affirming the status of libraries as a cornerstone of the emirate's project and its vision for investing in people and building the future, and enhancing its presence as one of the world's leading capitals of knowledge. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority's Board of Directors, confirmed that the ruler of Sharjah's commitment to equipping libraries with new releases from around the world reflects his deep faith in the role of libraries as enlightening institutions capable of shaping the consciousness of generations and driving an intellectual shift in societies. Libraries are a living memory of knowledge and a bridge for communication between cultures and civilizations. Therefore, this generous grant is an extension of the ruler of Sharjah's approach to supporting and developing the publishing sector, and a realization of his vision to empower publishers to continue their efforts in enhancing the sustainability of the book industry and enriching the cultural and creative environment in the region and the world. Under the slogan 'You and the Book', the fair in its current edition continues to cement its status as one of the largest cultural events in the world, with the participation of more than 2,350 publishing houses from 118 countries, including 1,224 Arab and 1,126 foreign, alongside hosting more than 250 creators and thinkers from 66 countries who present over 1,200 cultural, intellectual, and artistic activities.
