Kalimat Foundation announces region’s 1st inclusive book series

April 30, 2025 / 11:23 AM

Sharjah 24: Kalimat Foundation announced a groundbreaking milestone in accessible publishing with the introduction of the region’s first inclusive book series for children produced in collaboration with Kalimat Group, during its Board of Trustees meeting held alongside the 16th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). The initiative reflects the Foundation’s ongoing mission to make knowledge accessible to every child, regardless of their ability, and to create more inclusive, sustainable learning environments.

Chaired by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, the Board of Trustees convened at Expo Centre Sharjah to review this landmark achievement and set future strategies to expand the Foundation’s humanitarian and educational impact.

The meeting was attended by members of the Board of Trustees, including Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi; Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi; Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi; Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri; His Excellency Mohamed Abdullah; Ahlam Bolooki; and Fuad Mansoor Sharaf.

A transformative step for inclusive literacy

The newly announced inclusive book series has been thoughtfully designed to serve both visually impaired and sighted children equally. Developed with the support of Sharjah Islamic Bank and Sharjah Charity Association, the print-braille collection offers educational and recreational content through printed text, braille, and tactile illustrations, broadening horizons and fostering a shared culture of reading.

This initiative is the first of its kind in the region, representing a transformative step forward in accessible publishing and reinforcing Kalimat Foundation’s vision of a future where every child can learn, imagine, and thrive on equal footing.

Commenting on the book series launch, Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said during the Board of Trustees meeting: "This new inclusive book series embodies our belief that every child deserves to experience the magic of reading. By creating books that bring together visually impaired and sighted children in a shared reading experience, we are taking a decisive step towards building a more inclusive and compassionate future. This initiative reflects our commitment to not just closing the accessibility gap, but reimagining a world where diversity is embraced, and knowledge is a right for all."

As part of its participation in the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, Kalimat Foundation is showcasing the inclusive book series at its dedicated pavilion, offering visitors a first-hand experience of the Foundation’s latest innovation in inclusive education. The pavilion also features a range of Kalimat Foundation’s merchandise, inspired by its humanitarian mission to support literacy, inclusion, and cultural empowerment.

Following the meeting, the Trustees toured the pavilion and engaged with the Foundation’s ongoing projects that continue to advance its mission of fostering equitable access to knowledge.

Review of recent achievements

During the meeting, the Board also reviewed the Foundation’s key achievements since the start of the year 2025. Among the highlights was the donation of 400 Arabic-language books to Palestinian children residing at the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi, carried out under the "Pledge a Library" initiative and launched in conjunction with the UAE’s Month of Reading.

Another milestone was the Foundation’s cultural and educational campaign in Morocco, launched as part of Sharjah’s Guest of Honour participation at the 30th Rabat International Book Fair. The campaign included the distribution of 600 Arabic-language books to schools and associations, including a special reward to the winners of the Moroccan Reading Network competition.

Strategic roadmap for future expansion

Looking ahead, the Board approved a strategic roadmap focused on expanding the "Pledge a Library" initiative to supply portable libraries to local charity schools across the UAE, ensuring sustainable funding for projects, adopting enhanced evaluation frameworks, and broadening Kalimat Foundation’s regional and international outreach.