Sharjah marks Guest of Honour at Rabat Book Fair 2025

The announcement was made during a press conference held by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, attended by His Excellency Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication; His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; alongside several cultural officials and media representatives from both sides.
 
A platform for meaningful cultural exchange
During the press conference, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri said: “In the previous edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, we had the honour of welcoming the Kingdom of Morocco as the Guest of Honour. Their participation enriched our cultural programme with significant intellectual contributions, adding a unique element to the event. Today, we are proud that Sharjah has been named Guest of Honour of RIBF 2025. This opportunity reflects the enduring fraternal bonds between the two countries.”
 
Al Ameri continued: “This honour aligns with the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to foster meaningful dialogue and sustained cultural engagement with Arab nations. Under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, our participation will include contributions from 17 cultural institutions. As part of this extensive programme, eleven Emirati authors will be present, further enriching the fair as an inclusive platform for artistic and cultural exchange between creators from the UAE and Morocco.”
 
He concluded: “With our participation, we carry to Morocco a message from the UAE that embraces culture as a universal language, connecting people through books. We hope that our cultural presence at the international event will serve as a bridge between the Arab Gulf and North Africa, strengthening creative and intellectual ties between our nations.”
 
Cultural identity, language, and heritage
As Guest of Honour, Sharjah’s participation will bring together a distinguished group of Emirati and Moroccan writers and intellectuals to explore the deep-rooted cultural connections between the eastern and western regions of the Arab world. The discussions will delve into a wide range of topics, including literature, linguistic heritage, traditional practices, children’s literature, and contemporary publishing challenges, all aimed at fostering greater cultural cohesion across the Arab region.
 
The programme will feature panel discussions with prominent cultural figures from both nations. Among the key sessions are: “The historical dimension of the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre” presented by Ali Ibrahim Al Marri; “Shared and divergent features in Arabic dialects from East to West” featuring Sultan Al Ameemi and Yahya Amara; and “A bridge between two shores: Creative intersections in the Arab world” with Emirati author Sheikha Al Jaberi and Moroccan critic Said Yaktine.
 
The programme will feature panel discussions with prominent cultural figures from both nations. Among the key sessions are: “The historical dimension of the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre” presented by Ali Ibrahim Al Marri; “Shared and divergent features in Arabic dialects from East to West” led by Sultan Al Ameemi and Yahya Amara; and “A bridge between two shores: Creative intersections in the Arab world” with Emirati author Sheikha Al Jaberi and Moroccan critic Said Yaktine.
 
Sharjah’s pavilion will also host a session titled “The aesthetics of traditional Emirati and Moroccan architecture,” in which Emirati researcher Dr. Hamad bin Sarai and Dr. Zhour Karam will explore both the commonalities and distinctive characteristics of architectural heritage in the two cultures.

Literature, poetry, and storytelling

The emirate’s literary agenda programme brings together acclaimed writers, critics, and poets from the UAE and Morocco to explore evolving literary landscapes, thematic intersections, and contemporary issues shaping Arabic literature today.
 
Among the key highlights is the session “Moroccan literature: Reclaiming Arabic poetry through new technology,” featuring Sultan Al Ameemi, Aziz Al Husseini, Mohammed Al Anaz, and Zhour Karam, which will examine how digital platforms influence poetic expression. Another notable session, “Feminism and the strategy of knowledge production,” will host Aicha Belarbi, Lulwah Al Mansouri, and Badiya Al Hashimi in a discussion on gender, authorship, and intellectual discourse in the Arab world. Additionally, “The desert in contemporary Arabic literature” will feature insights from Dr Al Batool Mahjoub, Maryam Nasser, Azizah Akida, and Boushab Ahl Ali on how the desert is portrayed as a cultural and literary motif.
 
The short story genre will be addressed in the “Narrative Testimonies” session led by Maryam Nasser, Maryam Al Ghaithly, and Abdul Nabi Dashin, offering reflections on narrative form and voice. In parallel, “Water in literary storytelling,” featuring Lulwah Al Mansouri and Mahfouz Abdul Latif, will explore water's symbolic and thematic presence in Emirati and Moroccan literature.
The poetry programme includes three evenings: “Under one sky,” with performances by Kholoud Al Maala and Idris Al Malyani; “Echoes,” featuring Khalid Al Budoor, Amal Al Sahlawi and Ikram Abdi; and “Mirrors of speech,” led by Abdullah Al Hadiyah and Ahmed Al Harshi. In addition, the “Poetry Nights” series will present individual readings by Khalid Al Budoor, Abdullah Al Hadiyah, and Kholoud Al Maala.
 
Children and young adults

The programme strongly emphasises children and young adults' literature, highlighting its role in shaping cultural awareness and fostering a love of reading among younger generations. One of the key sessions, “Aesthetics of Emirati and Moroccan children's books,” will host author Fatima Al Ameri and literary critic Mustafa Al Nahal, who will examine narrative and visual elements that define children's literature in both cultures.
 
The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) will lead a session titled “Folk tales across cultures,” exploring how traditional narratives shared by the UAE and Morocco can be revitalised through contemporary storytelling approaches. Another session, “Writing for children and young adults: Experiences from the UAE and Morocco,” will bring together Sheikha Al Jaberi, Fatima Al Ameri and Ahmed Bensaid to reflect on literary practices and cross-cultural influences in writing for younger audiences.
 
The programme will also introduce the Arab Children's Literature Award, formerly the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, presented in partnership with UAEBBY. Additionally, the “Kan Yama Kan” initiative will be spotlighted, showcasing its efforts to bring storytelling to children in challenging circumstances, including establishing libraries in five schools across Morocco.
 
Books and libraries

In collaboration with Moroccan specialists, the Emirates Library and Information Association will lead sessions dedicated to the role of libraries in preserving knowledge and heritage. These discussions will spotlight libraries' historical and contemporary importance as repositories of civilisation and catalysts for intellectual exchange.
 
Key sessions include “The history of libraries in Morocco and manuscript collections as scientific memory and cultural heritage,” presented by Fahd Al Muamari and Ahmed Shawqi, and “Arabic manuscript collections: cataloguing and access,” led by Fahd Al Muamari and Dr Idham Hanash. Another featured session, “Libraries as spaces for creativity and cultural exchange,” will host Faraj Al Dhafiri and Fahd Al Muamari, underscoring the evolving function of libraries in fostering inclusive cultural dialogue.
 
The programme will also feature a presentation by Moroccan writer and researcher Yahya Al Kandari titled “A reading of the manuscript: Explanation of Rawdat Al Silwan on hunting,” offering insight into historical literary texts. Dr Rami Kamal Abdel Hamid will address the transformative “Impact of digital libraries in scientific research.”
 
Further enriching the agenda, a panel titled “Arab professional library associations and their role in developing the cultural sector” will bring together Fahd Al Muamari, Nabhan Al Harassi and Badiya Rahmouni to discuss institutional collaboration and sector development. The session “Translation: A bridge between cultures and a tool for knowledge transfer” will feature researchers Qamar Aarras and Faraj Al Dhafiri, highlighting the essential role of translation in cultural connectivity and the dissemination of knowledge.
 
Illustration and visual arts

Within the visual arts segment of the agenda, Sharjah’s pavilion will present a creative session titled “Andalusia: A futuristic visual simulation,” showcasing the collaborative work of Emirati and Moroccan artists engaged in a cross-cultural art project. This session will bring together Ahmed Jarid, Alia Al Hammadi, Bashir Amal, Rafia Al Nassar, Noor Al Khamiri and Moulay Youssef Al Kahfai, offering audiences a compelling visual dialogue inspired by Andalusian heritage and imagined futures.
 
As part of its Guest of Honour offering, SBA will organise two interactive workshops for children: “From East to West” and “Arabic ornamentation.” These sessions, led by illustrators Alia Al Hammadi, Noor Al Khamiri and Rafia Al Nassar, aim to introduce young audiences to the beauty of regional artistic traditions through hands-on creative experiences.
 
The programme will further highlight the PublishHer initiative, launched by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, which champions the empowerment of Arab women in writing, publishing and creative content production. The initiative provides platforms for professional networking and international collaboration, reinforcing the visibility and influence of Arab women across the literary and publishing landscapes.

The Sharjah pavilion will highlight the expertise and experiences of various entities as part of the delegation, including the Emirates Writers Union, the Emirates Publishers Association, the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association, the Emirates Libraries and Information Association, the Sharjah Department of Culture, Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies, the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Al Qasimi Publications, the American University of Sharjah, the UAE Board on Books for Young People, the House of Wisdom, the Sharjah Literary Agency, and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.