Sharjah, UAE: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) on Wednesday at Expo Centre Sharjah. The fair, which runs until November 15, was attended by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority.
In his opening address, the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed international guests, with special recognition for the Sultanate of Oman, this year’s Guest of Honour. He reaffirmed Sharjah’s enduring commitment to culture, knowledge and books, describing literature as a cornerstone of human development and a vital bridge between peoples and cultures.
Among the distinguished guests welcomed were Luís Filipe Reis dos Santos, Director-General for Books, Archives and Libraries in Portugal; Dr Henrique Leitão, Vice-President of the Lisbon Academy of Sciences; and Dr Balaji Shenoy, Director of the Archives Department for the Government of Goa.
Major Knowledge Initiatives Unveiled
His Highness announced the launch of the “Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia of Science, Literature, Arts and Notable Figures.” The first 143 volumes of this ambitious project — set to become a major Arab knowledge reference in both print and digital formats — were unveiled. More than 1,500 specialists from around the world are currently contributing to the encyclopedia, which is expected to be completed next year. The Ruler directed those overseeing the project to accelerate efforts and recruit additional staff to meet the timeline.
He also announced the establishment of the Harun Al-Rashid Award for Sciences, Literature, Arts and Notable Figures, a new international prize that will annually honour four distinguished scholars, researchers and creatives for their contributions to Arabic knowledge and culture.
Reflecting on the award’s name, His Highness said: “I’ve thought a lot about what name to give to the Award in the context of Arab history. The name I’ve settled on is one, of course, that we can all agree on: a man who did a tremendous service to the progress of the sciences, the literature, and the arts… So, I’m very pleased to be able to announce the launch of the Harun al-Rashid Award.”
He added that Harun al-Rashid was a unique figure who has sometimes been treated unfairly by historians, and that the award aims to restore due recognition to his contributions while encouraging continued research and writing.
New Historical Work Released
His Highness further unveiled his latest historical publication, The Portuguese in the Indian Ocean: Annals of History from 1497 CE – 1750 CE, spanning 61 volumes in Arabic and English. The work documents the Portuguese presence across the Indian Ocean region and is the result of 37 years of archival research, document collection, translation and historical verification.
During the ceremony, the Ruler of Sharjah, accompanied by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, named Moroccan scholar Dr Said Yaktine as the fair’s Cultural Personality of the Year 2026 in recognition of his contributions to Arab literature and culture. Dr Yaktine expressed pride at the honour, describing it as a special recognition that underscores Sharjah’s status as the permanent capital of Arab culture and a tribute to nearly 50 years of his work in Arabic language and culture.
The 2026 Turjuman Award — the world’s largest translation prize of its kind, valued at AED 1.4 million — was presented to Catalan publishing house Karwán for its translation of selected stories from One Thousand and One Nights into Catalan by translator Margarida Castells Criballés.
His Highness also signed copies of his new historical work and the encyclopedia volumes, and launched the encyclopedia’s official website.
Sheikha Bodour Highlights Sharjah’s Cultural Vision
In her address, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasised this year’s theme, “It Starts with a Story,” noting the power of stories in shaping individual memories and identities. She underlined Sharjah’s unique cultural journey built on books, knowledge and culture, and highlighted the Ruler’s long-term vision that has created an integrated ecosystem of cultural, educational and research institutions.
She pointed to major projects such as the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language and the new encyclopedia as evidence of Sharjah’s commitment to the Arabic language and the advancement of knowledge. Sheikha Bodour concluded by expressing deep appreciation for the Ruler’s vision, which has positioned Sharjah as a global example of investing in human potential through science, culture and books.
Oman as Guest of Honour
Speaking on behalf of the Guest of Honour, Sayyid Saud bin Hilal bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Oman, said the Sultanate’s participation aims to strengthen cultural ties, showcase Oman’s rich literary and cultural heritage, and expand cooperation in publishing, translation, research and the creative industries.
His Highness later cut the ribbon at the Omani pavilion, where he was received with traditional Omani folk chants. He toured the pavilion, viewed cultural displays and publications, and received gifts including encyclopedias and historical books from the Omani Ministry of Culture.
The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair continues until November 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah, reaffirming the emirate’s position as a leading global platform for cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange.
