The issue highlights a number of significant achievements, led by the completion of the Encyclopaedia of Rhetorical Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an and the launch of three new encyclopaedias. It also follows international conferences, literary events, and pioneering humanitarian and community initiatives.

Unprecedented achievements

The issue opens with the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, of the completion of the Encyclopaedia of Rhetorical Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an in 68 volumes, the first work of its kind in its field. The announcement was made during the graduation ceremony of the sixth cohort of the Holy Qur’an Academy.

His Highness also revealed plans to establish Dar Al Hadith in University City and announced the launch of new reference works, including the Encyclopaedia of Qur’anic Vocabulary, two encyclopaedias dedicated to methodologies of individual Qur’anic readings, and an annotated edition of the Qur’an explaining the narration tradition.

Al Rafid also covered a meeting of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, chaired by the Ruler of Sharjah, during which the council approved development strategies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Sharjah’s emerging universities. The plans focus on improving academic performance and educational technologies, expanding programmes and international partnerships, and aligning higher education outcomes with community and labour market needs.

The magazine further highlighted the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the University of Sharjah and the Tamayuz Institutional Excellence Award, under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed. The agreement aims to launch a knowledge empowerment programme to prepare specialised professionals in excellence and quality management through a dedicated professional diploma and advanced training programmes.

Capital of publishing and children’s literature

The magazine devoted extensive coverage to Sharjah’s efforts to support the book and publishing industry, including the Emirate’s participation in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

During the event, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi launched the 18th edition of the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature and announced that Sharjah will host the 42nd International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Congress in 2030. It will be the first time the congress is held in the Arab world, under the theme Stories That Change the World.

The issue also examines the launch of the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Initiative (Unshur), which seeks to enhance the performance and competitiveness of publishing houses. Coverage includes the partnership between the Sharjah Book Authority and Morocco’s Ministry of Culture to exchange expertise in the publishing sector, as well as the PublisHer initiative, which promotes women’s leadership in the global publishing industry.

Cultural beacons across the Arab world

Al Rafid also highlights the vibrant poetry movement led by Sharjah through its network of Houses of Poetry across Arab cities. The magazine reports on poetry evenings and critical discussions held in Sharjah, Kairouan, Nouakchott, Luxor, Marrakesh, Tetouan and Mafraq, featuring leading poets and critics.

In theatre, the magazine focuses on the announcement by the Arab Theatre Authority of the first edition of the Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Award for Arab Youth Theatre Excellence. The award honours creatives aged between 30 and 40 in the fields of playwriting, directing and acting.

The issue also documents the Forum of Outstanding Arab Theatre Graduates, held as part of Sharjah Theatre Days. The event brought together graduates of theatre institutes and arts colleges from across the Arab world for an integrated training programme, alongside intellectual forums discussing topics such as the visual identity of theatre directors and the impact of technology on stage performance.

A continuing cultural vision

Issue 346 of Al Rafid once again underscores Sharjah’s commitment to its comprehensive cultural vision, where heritage and modernity converge, and where words, images and ideas come together in the service of humanity and knowledge.