Sharjah 24: Expo Centre Sharjah, Wednesday, launched the 21st edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF), organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, under the slogan "Animal Stories", with high-level local, Arab and international participation. SINF was launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, where two sessions were held, the first session was on the "Institutional Efforts to Protect Human Treasures", and the second session was entitled "Animal Stories in Gulf Drama".

The first SINF inaugural panel discussion tackled the "Institutional Efforts to Protect Human Treasures". The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Asaad Abdel Rahman Awad, and attended by Dr. Abdelilah Ben Arfa, from Morocco, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, novelist and writer, and Dr. Hani Hayajneh, from Jordan, Dean of the Faculty of Archeology and Anthropology at Yarmouk University, as well as Dr. Hayat Qurmazi, from Tunisia, Director of the Culture Department at the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO).

Dr. Ben Arafa spoke about the institutional efforts of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation establishing a number of bodies, and developing a set of mechanisms and controls to protect and preserve cultural heritage, whether tangible or intangible, natural or industrial heritage.

Dr. Ben Arafa pointed that one of the most important and prominent actions undertaken by the organisation is the registration of cultural heritage on the list of the Islamic Art and World Heritage.

Dr. Hani Hayajneh spoke about the application of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. He stressed that SINF, organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and the Emirate of Sharjah, is a very important forum at the level of the Arab and world cultural world, and one of the best occasions that can enhance the intangible cultural heritage at the local, national and international level.

The second SINF session was entitled "Animal Stories in Gulf Drama", where Counselor Jassim Obaid Al Zaabi spoke about raising, treating and listening to children, giving them the necessary attention. He also touched on the importance of education and mutual respect.

The activities of SINF first day were concluded with an entertaining session presented by the Fujairah Art Academy, including musical performances on a number of musical instruments, ranging from solo and group playing, which won the admiration of the audience and visitors.