UAE- Sultan allocates Dh2.5m to enrich Sharjah libraries

4/25/2016 3:19:18 AM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) sharjah - His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah has directed the allocation of Dh2.5 million worth of books to enrich Sharjah's public school and university libraries.

The initiative which will significantly expand the number of titles available in libraries comes in line with 2016 being declared as the UAE's 'Year of Reading'.

The books will be purchased from publishers participating in the eighth edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2016) which is currently underway at Expo Centre Sharjah. In addition to broadening access to sources of knowledge and culture for the emirate's citizens and residents the move will support publishers and the regional book industry as a whole.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority which organises SCRF emphasised that the allocation of Dh2.5 million to buy books will help enhance children's knowledge and equip them to deal with challenges in the present and future.

Al Ameri told Khaleej Times that Sharjah's Ruler is always working to enrich school and home libraries to encourage reading among children and adults. He is also keen to support the book and publishing industry and promote the culture of reading in the country.

He pointed out that Knowledge without Borders (KWB) which was launched under the instructions of Dr Shaikh Sultan aims to establish reading as a noble habit in every household in the UAE. The initiative encourages the establishment of home libraries and supplying these libraries with books that are suitable for the entire family.

The SCRF 2016 which will be on until April 30 is being held with the participation of 130 publishing houses from 15 countries. The UAE tops the list of countries taking part with 55 publishing houses followed by Lebanon with 25 and Egypt with 20. Canada China India and the United Kingdom are among the many other countries having a significant presence at this year's festival which is exhibiting books in Arabic English French Indian and Urdu among other languages.

Afkar Abdullah

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