The chapter is closed but the story continues.
That’s the parting message from Sharjah, as the emirate completes its year-long reign as the Unesco World Book Capital.
In a virtual ceremony held on Wednesday, April 22, the organising committee celebrated its achievements and the initiatives held over the past 12 months.
The results of such programmes can be found today as we isolate at home with our favourite books, according to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, head of the advisory committee of the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC).
“As most of you have already seen, social media platforms are now packed with countless stories from around the world about people recommending books and reading as one of the most productive ways to spend time and increase mental resilience during this tough period of self-isolation,” she said during the closing ceremony.
“These stories warm our hearts here in Sharjah. They remind us that our consistent strategy of embedding the love of books and reading within each layer of our social fabric is the right one.”
From '1001 Nights' to calligraphy exhibitions
Sheikha Bodour's comments allude to the many far-reaching initiatives launched in the emirate as part of its designation as World Book Capital.
Ever since it was awarded the title in April last year, the city wasted no time in celebrating the written word. It launched its campaign with a spectacular theatre production of 1001 Nights: The Last Chapter. featuring a cast of more than 500 people from 25 countries, backed by a 51-piece international orchestra.
The campaign continued over the next 12 months with varied events tailored to everyone from children and families to seasoned bookworms. This included the Kan Ya ma Kan book donation campaign in May, followed by a number of popular mobile beach libraries spread around Sharjah's sandy shores in June.
There was a three-month exhibition of the evolution of Arabic calligraphy at the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum which concluded in October, as well as a celebration marking World Youth Day in August, key appearances at the Sharjah International Storytelling Festival in September and the mammoth Sharjah International Book Fair in November.
With the last major outdoor event being The Used Book Fair, which was held at Al Nakheel Park and ended on March 1, the SWBC then focused attention on spreading a love of reading online.
In what is a generous parting gift to the region, on April 22 it teamed up with the Arabic audiobook site Kitab Sawti to grant free three-month premium memberships on the platform for up to 5,000 people.
Explaining the emirate’s detailed approach, Sheikha Bodour said the aim was to use literature to foster a more cohesive society.
“We truly believe in the power of books to connect us with each other,” she said. “We want books to help us know each other more and to bridge the gaps created by misconceptions and misunderstanding.”
A literary legacy: The House of Wisdom
With the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur set to take over as the next World Book Capital, Sheikha Bodour said the memories and achievements of Sharjah's tenure will be enshrined in the emirate's newest literary venue, The House of Wisdom.
The state-of-the-art library and culture centre, which is close to completion, will span 1.2 hectares and house more than 100,000 books when opened.
Describing it as “a cultural milestone", Sheikha Bodour said the House of Wisdom “will help us go to the next level of our cultural development journey with a sense of renewed commitment and clear focus on the future".
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Read more:
House of Wisdom: Sharjah to build new state-of-the-art library
1001 Nights: The Last Chapter – the Sharjah theatre production set to reinvent the genre of performing arts
Sharjah World Book Capital teams up with Kitab Sawti to offer free audiobooks
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dubai Bling season three
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Director: Tom Tykwer
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36
Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3
Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
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Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
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Key facilities
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- 400m Olympic running track
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
