The Sharjah Book Authority is hosting an online conversation with HE Omar Saif Ghobash.
Sharjah has a long reputable history in fostering and developing access to literature. In 2019, the city was named World Book Capital as recognition of its continuous efforts in promoting books and literacy.
Sharjah Book Authority was founded in 2014 by royal decree signed by His Highness Sheikh Doctor Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.
The organisation hosts fairs and festivals, manages public libraries, builds a community for publishers, sets up grants and professional programmes, collects and preserves historical documents.
The Emirati diplomat and author will be delving into his widely-read literary work, “Letters to a Young Muslim” at the free-to-attend live session.
Through a compilation of 27 insightful letters to his sons, Ghobash’s book encourages the reader to accept a modern, enlightened path that embraces diversity, not just within Islam but among all religions. Published by Picador, a Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd imprint in the United Kingdom, the book, written in English, has been translated into six languages.
Ghobash sponsors the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation and is a founding trustee of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, IPAF, in collaboration with the Man Booker Prize in London. He serves on the acquisition committee of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the board of trustees of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi. He recently launched Kaleem Books, which focuses on publishing modern Arabic fiction.
The SBA’s Book Club’s sessions bring together readers and lovers of books with a host of renowned Arab and international authors. The series aligns with the SBA’s mission to promote culture and literature.
Wednesday 12 August 2020, 8.30pm UAE (GMT +4)
Join HE Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Public and Cultural Diplomacy in a discussion with Mr. Hassan Yaqoob Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of Sharjah Media Council. Together they will review the local literature landscape and the book “Letters to a Young Muslim” written by HE Ghobash.
