Sharjah, November 10, 2026: A golden dagger once pawned for 100 rupees to buy books became the centrepiece of an engaging discussion on reading, family support and cultural heritage when young readers from Khorfakkan Youth Centre explored The Pawned Dagger by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).
The session was held at the Sharjah Public Libraries pavilion. It featured Mahmoud Abdulhalim, literature and languages instructor at Khorfakkan Youth Centre, and Maryam Al Harmoudi, curator of Sharjah Fort Museum, along with the young participants who shared their thoughts on the book.
A passion for reading that began at home
Abdulhalim recounted how His Highness, as a young boy, pawned his golden dagger for 100 rupees to purchase books. When his father learned of the act, he gave him the money to redeem the dagger and added another 10 rupees as a reward. The instructor used this episode to underline the powerful role of family encouragement in nurturing a child’s love for reading.
He also highlighted how His Highness was provided a dedicated reading space in his father’s majlis, creating a supportive environment for learning. Abdulhalim stressed that the true value of a book lies in its ideas and lessons, not its length. He further described how the young Sheikh corresponded with Al Muayyad Bookshop in Bahrain and arranged payments to obtain books—efforts that helped shape his intellectual growth. The instructor encouraged the young participants to make reading a regular habit.
The students expressed admiration for the Ruler’s determination, particularly his decision to part with a valuable personal possession for the sake of books. They also spoke about how Sharjah Youth Centres support their interests through libraries and activities ranging from reading and drawing to swimming, football and robotics.
Sharjah Fort Library keeps the story alive
Maryam Al Harmoudi praised the participants’ understanding of The Pawned Dagger and invited them to visit Sharjah Fort Museum to see the historic library linked to the story. She explained that the library was established more than a century ago by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi II, the Ruler’s uncle, whose own passion for reading helped inspire His Highness.
Several books in the fort’s collection originally came from Al Muayyad Bookshop in Bahrain—the same shop mentioned in the book. The golden dagger itself is preserved at the fort and can be viewed alongside the historic library.
Drawing on her experience with children’s centres, Al Harmoudi urged the young readers to continue reading and to share their enthusiasm with their peers. She emphasised the role of such institutions in preparing future generations to preserve and manage Sharjah’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
The session offered the young participants both inspiration and a tangible connection to Sharjah’s literary legacy, reinforcing the message that a love of books, nurtured early and supported by family and community, can shape a lifetime of learning and cultural stewardship.
