Upon his arrival, His Highness was received by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) , and Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of Morocco, along with several senior officials, heads, and directors of government departments, as well as guests of the Sharjah International Book Fair.
During the event, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah delivered a speech welcoming the attendees and guests of the Sharjah International Book Fair, considering it a joyful day. Sharjah Ruler received greetings from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco and expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Morocco for the valuable gifts, documents, knowledge, and heritage it brought to Sharjah, describing these documents as having opened their eyes to things they had never encountered before.
His Highness added, "The West has divided countries into two parts: Morocco and North Africa, and the Mashriq. The Moroccan region differs from the Mashriq in language and distance, and we notice that those from the Mashriq do not know much about Morocco. The only thing mentioned by those from the Mashriq is Al-Andalus, often lamenting its loss. However, we say that Al Andalus is a product of Morocco, both in its beginnings and its end. Even if Al-Andalus has disappeared, God has compensated us with Morocco, which has preserved the Andalusian heritage."
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah praised those who struggled to liberate Morocco from colonial rule, noting that many were not prepared to embrace the culture, heritage, and significant historical legacy that Morocco offers, despite the country's rich historical importance and diverse cultural wealth.
His Highness pointed out that he observes how countries are eager to sign agreements with Morocco, expressing his desire to have a place in Moroccan culture—not as a spectator or an exploiter, but as a supporter of Moroccan researchers in the field of heritage and culture.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his wish to collaborate with Moroccan universities on scientific research related to heritage, and to commission Moroccan researchers to work on it. Sharjah Ruler stated, "If you walk on Moroccan soil, every stone would speak, saying, 'I am here,' with stories from its east, west, cities, and plains. All of this is preserved to this day. We want Morocco to shine not with anything strange or distorted, but through the authenticity they possess and the heritage they have preserved for us. We hope that this visit will be a positive omen for the Arab and Islamic nations to convey their heritage to the children of this nation, so they can know Morocco and its history, and understand that Morocco has preserved and maintained its heritage without distortion. We hope to play a role in serving scientific research in Moroccan Arab heritage."
For his part, His Excellency Mohammed Mahdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, delivered a speech in which he said, "These are enjoyable moments that strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solid cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of the leaders of both countries, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory."
Bensaid added, "The opening of the Sharjah International Book Fair was a moment of success and happiness for all of us. As we have come to expect from our brothers in the Emirate of Sharjah, it was marked by an amazing organization and significant attendance, which continues to attract participants and visitors. We, for our part, have spared no effort to ensure that the celebration of the Kingdom of Morocco as the guest of honor is a bright point in this flourishing cultural edifice.
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication discussed the role of the Emirate of Sharjah in embracing a cultural revolution that has become a source of pride and honor. He stated, "For decades, the Emirate of Sharjah has launched a cultural revolution as a strategic choice aimed at building individuals. Today, it has become a cultural center not only for the Emirates but for the entire world, serving as a source of pride for everyone.
Mohammed Mahdi Bensaid added, "This choice has resulted in a reciprocal cultural movement that has generated cultural and intellectual projects and structures, which continue their noble tasks of creating and expanding cultural engagement within the Arab countries and around the world. We are pleased in the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication to commend the cultural and artistic cooperation between the two brotherly countries, which has achieved a wealth of accomplishments and exchanges that will continue to grow and flourish thanks to the efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi.
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication concluded his speech by saying, "We renew our praise for the Sharjah International Book Fair, and we thank our brothers with great appreciation and profound gratitude for choosing the Kingdom of Morocco as the guest of honor for this edition. We also commend the warmth of the welcome and the generosity of hospitality, which has always been, and will continue to be, a reflection of the noble values in this good land. Long live the brotherhood and friendship between the UAE and Morocco, and may the cultural initiatives and the Sharjah International Book Fair continue to succeed."
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and His Excellency the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco exchanged gifts and commemorative plaques and took group photos.
The Moroccan pavilion at the Sharjah International Book Fair showcases a captivating cultural program that represents the vibrant cultural and heritage landscape of Morocco. The pavilion features more than 25 Moroccan publishers, showcasing a collection of over 4,000 titles. The event features seminars and discussion sessions with esteemed Moroccan intellectuals and writers, who will highlight the cultural heritage of Moroccan society and explore topics like the role of artificial intelligence in culture, literature, knowledge, and poetry.
Morocco’s selection as a guest of honor acknowledges its role as a crossroads of cultures and a source of knowledge, emphasizing the nation’s profound Islamic heritage, its lively diversity within the Arab civilization, and its dedication to promoting literary and intellectual traditions.
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