Sharjah 24: Menassah Distribution Company and the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) have signed an agreement of understanding that allows the company to access the list of winning books of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature, organised by UAEBBY and sponsored by Eand, the world’s leading technology and investment group, and to explore the prospects of entering into partnerships to distribute and provide these books to children and adolescents inside and outside the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, whose activities continue until May 12 at the Expo Centre Sharjah. The agreement provides Menassah the opportunity to communicate with publishers whose publications have won the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature from 2009 until now, to discuss the prospects of entering into partnerships. and agreements with them; to distribute the award-winning publications in different distribution outlets, including libraries, stores, festivals, exhibitions, and events that the company organises or participates in, during which it will be keen to allocate a corner to promote and sell these books with the aim of facilitating their access to young readers, teachers, and segments of the public.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said that the board is pleased to sign the agreement, which contributes to increasing the presence of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature and supporting the spread of the winning books over the past editions in various parts of the world, which enhances the opportunity for children and young people to access these publications. 

Al Arqoubi added that such publications are distinguished by the quality of its content, graphics, production and printing, which encourages youth to read more books and discover the beautiful world of reading. At the same time, the agreement achieves the goal of publishers, authors and illustrators by making their publications available in more locations and in various exhibitions and events in which Menassah participates.

Rashid Al Kous, General Manager of Menassah Distribution Company, stressed Menassah keenness to support the Emirati publisher and Arabic content, in addition to providing facilities for all publishers working in the UAE to reach new markets and distribute their publications at various distribution points and platforms, which contributes to attracting readers and making books accessible to them in easier and faster ways.  

Al Kous pointed out that cooperation with the publishers who won the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature would contribute to achieving a greater spread of these books, which deserved appreciation for their high level of quality.

It is noteworthy that Menassah Distribution Company was established in November 2022 to support Emirati and Arab publishers and writers and give their writings global circulation, providing an easy point of contact for international publishers to the Arab publishing market. The platform aims to enrich and diversify the culture of reading, and enable consumers of Arabic content to access a comprehensive website that offers a variety of books.

The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) is the national branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the parent organisation based in Switzerland, founded in 1953. It represents an international network of institutions and individuals from 82 countries united by a commitment to encouraging the culture of reading and achieving greater rapprochement between children and books. UAEBBY was launched in 2010 at the initiative of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary of UAEBBY.

Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature was launched in 2009, and achieved great fame and wide spread among publishers, authors, and illustrators inside and outside the Arab world over a period of 15 years. It played a prominent role in advancing the children’s book industry locally and in the Arab world, and delighted children and adolescents of all ages thanks to its role in increasing the production allocated to them of books published in the Arabic language, and also contributed to improving the quality of the texts, drawings and production of books.