Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, inaugurated this morning, Wednesday, the activities of the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, which is being held under the slogan “This is how we begin”, from November 6-17, at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

Upon his arrival, His Highness was received by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Ruler’s Office, Sheikh Khalid bin Essam Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Civil Aviation, Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Suburbs Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, Sheikha Nawar bint Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Head of the National Media Office, and a number of senior officials, intellectuals and writers.

In his opening remarks at the exhibition, Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi praised the efforts to spread the Arabic language, its literature, sciences and history, and the importance of the historical dictionary of the Arabic language in this regard, pointing to the firm determination to continue the journey of science, spreading culture and empowering the Arabic language in the east and west of the earth.

He welcomed the large international attendance at the opening of the exhibition, and said, “We welcome you to the Sharjah International Book Fair in its forty-third edition. We thank the guests from among the scholars, intellectuals, writers, publishers and media for this distinguished attendance, which indicates that this nation will remain well as long as culture is well.”.

The Ruler of Sharjah expressed his happiness at this great occasion that celebrates the book at the highest levels, and with the finest translations and productions of diverse activities, and an unprecedented qualitative production represented in the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, in order to strengthen the love of the book and the connection of the smiling emirate to it and the keenness to achieve its goals. He said, “We meet today on an occasion that is dear to all our hearts and in which there are two joys. The first joy is the Sharjah International Book Fair, for the book is the secret of the success of nations and the secret of their renaissance and development. We in Sharjah cherish the book, honor it and appreciate its people, and we know that it is the maker of generations and nations, and we know that it is the best companion and the best friend, and it is as Al-Mutanabbi said: The most precious place in the world is the saddle of a swift horse and the best companion in life is a book.” Our second joy is the completion of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, this great scientific achievement that God Almighty has made possible through the efforts of a large team of scholars of the nation, numbering over 700, including writers, editors, reference experts, administrators, and those working in production and printing. I say to all those who participated in the completion of this great cultural project: Thank you.

The Ruler of Sharjah reviewed the idea of ​​the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, which was a dream realized for the entire Arab nation, and His Highness’s leadership of this great project in years of effort, knowledge and diligence, pointing to what it contains of rich linguistic and scientific heritage, and what follows it of other cultural projects that give the Arabic language its due as a great and enduring language

Dr. Sultan congratulated the publication of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language and announced the Arabic Encyclopedia project, which has begun work on, to be added to Sharjah’s major cultural projects in the Arabic language, the history of the nation and its heritage

His Highness concluded his speech by addressing the people of culture, science and knowledge about the continuation of scientific projects and the bright future of the Arabic language, saying, “I say to my children: The future is full of major scientific projects, and I am eager that the future of Arabic is promising, blessed and auspicious, God willing, and Arabic will remain as long as life remains, and it is preserved by the preservation of the Holy Quran.”.

The Ruler of Sharjah honored the Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi as the Cultural Personality of the Year at this year's exhibition. He also honored the heads of the Arabic language academies who contributed to the completion of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, as well as Al Qasimi Publications, which oversaw the production, printing, and distribution of the complete volumes, in recognition of their significant role in this major scholarly linguistic project. His Highness then posed for commemorative photographs with them on this occasion.

The Ruler of Sharjah graciously signed the final edition, Volume 127, of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, thereby announcing the completion of this major Arab project. The dictionary chronicles the vocabulary of the Arabic language, its historical usage, and the evolution of its meanings throughout the ages, representing a civilizational and cultural achievement aimed at documenting the nation's linguistic heritage. His Highness inscribed on the copy: "By the grace of God, the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language project has been completed.".

The opening ceremony of the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair began with a visual presentation highlighting the fair's slogan, "This is how we begin," which addressed the importance of reading and the Sharjah Emirate's strategy in culture and knowledge dissemination, and the development of cultural and practical projects to make the emirate a distinctive landmark among global cultural cities. The presentation also addressed the importance of books and their objectives in bringing people's cultures closer together, opening channels of dialogue, shaping and moving ideas, and formulating the future.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, announced that the Sharjah International Book Fair continues to hold the number one position globally, for the fourth year in a row, in terms of buying and selling publishing rights, stressing that the achievements of the fair on the ground are the result of a deep belief that the book is not just a carrier of knowledge, but rather the original engine through which nations build their place in the history of human civilization.

Al-Amiri said, “The strength of Sharjah, as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, lies not only in building structures and infrastructure, but also in building people through knowledge. This is why the shadow of a book is always at the forefront of every step, illuminating the mind and opening doors towards distant horizons.”.

The CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority added, “Every time we meet at the Sharjah International Book Fair, we return to the roots of the great civilizational project that Sharjah started, where the book was and still is the first building block on which we built all ambitions and aspirations. From the beginning, Sharjah chose to make the book a solid foundation for its present and future, and launched it to present a global project that carries the Arab identity to all civilizations and countries of the world.”.

Latifa Mouftakir, Director of the Archives of Morocco Foundation, delivered the guest of honor speech for the 43rd session of the exhibition, in which she expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for honoring Morocco by inviting it to be the guest of honor for the 43rd session of the Sharjah International Book Fair.

On the occasion of her being honored as the Cultural Personality of the Year for this session of the exhibition, the Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi delivered a speech in which she expressed her thanks and gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for this honor, praising in her speech the great roles played by the Emirate of Sharjah under His Highness’s leadership in spreading science and knowledge and celebrating books, scholars and intellectuals, which opened wide doors of hope for them for more creativity and literary and intellectual production without limits.

Mosteghanemi spoke about her early days in Sharjah and her introduction to its integrated intellectual and cultural environment, praising the welcoming and honoring spirit of the emirate towards all who wield the pen and write, and the values ​​of authenticity, Arabism, and culture it offers. She said, “Two decades ago, I first arrived in Sharjah dressed in Western attire to attend the book fair. Then I prayed in its mosques and experienced the tranquility of its homes and the kindness and simplicity of its people, regardless of their status. From that day on, I fell in love with Sharjah, and I have never returned except wearing my abaya as a sign of respect for its status. I have reached an age where I have no time for anything but to express what is in my heart. And from my heart, I say: I love you.”

The Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees witnessed a visual presentation about the “Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language” project, which addressed the journey of completing the dictionary throughout history, the idea and efforts made by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in achieving this cultural accomplishment, highlighting the great cultural and linguistic value that the project represents for the Arabic language and the cultural heritage of the Arab nation, and its great importance as a tool for preserving and documenting heritage for future generations.

The Sharjah International Book Fair, in its 43rd edition this year, is hosting 2,522 publishers and exhibitors from 108 countries, and is organizing more than 1,357 diverse events, in which 250 guests from 63 countries are participating, including 500 cultural events, which include sessions, workshops and dialogue seminars in which writers discuss the most prominent cultural and literary issues, and the latest Arab and international literary trends.

The exhibition also features more than 85 Emirati and Arab writers from the fields of novels, poetry and theater, who have won high-level awards, along with 49 international guests from among the leading writers and cultural figures from 14 countries, including winners of international awards and authors of famous books, in addition to 400 new writers signing their publications during the days of the exhibition.