Sharjah Public Libraries set for diverse cultural programme
The agenda features a curated lineup of seminars, literary discussions and expert-led activities, organised in collaboration with leading cultural institutions across the emirate.
The events form part of SPL's flagship initiatives, 'Institutional Collaboration' and 'Authors Spotlight,' aimed at enriching the public's engagement with knowledge, heritage and the written word.
The opening event in the 'Institutional Collaboration' series, 'Reviving Forgotten Pages,' will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum.
Organised in partnership with the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage and the Sharjah Museums Authority, the event features a panel discussion titled 'The Home Library: Promoting Reading and Organising Books.'
The session will explore the cultural value of home libraries, emphasising their role in preserving literary heritage and fostering regular reading habits.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops under the title 'Book Clinic,' offering practical guidance on cleaning, preserving and rebinding old books.
The event will conclude with a cultural tour of the museum, featuring an immersive experience in ancient writing techniques using clay and the South Arabian Musnad script.
SPL will host 'The Cultural Message' on Wednesday, July 30, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Holy Quran Academy, in collaboration with Al Qasimia University.
The event will explore Islamic civilisation's intellectual and scientific legacy and its influence on global progress.
Discussions will cover the contributions of Muslim scholars to fields such as medicine, astronomy and mathematics, the enduring cultural impact of Islamic heritage, and the values of coexistence and tolerance.
The programme also features a specialised workshop on Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation, offering participants a rich and immersive cultural experience.
On Tuesday, July 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, SPL will conclude its 'Institutional Collaboration' series with a literary event titled 'Horizons of Writers and Poets – Echoes of Modernity,' held at the House of Wisdom.
Targeting adults and youth aged 14 to 18, the seminar will explore the evolution of contemporary Arabic poetry through a blend of panel discussions, interactive workshops and a live poetry reading.
The event will feature four poets from different generations, presenting a dynamic and multi-layered portrayal of modern Arabic verse.
SPL will also host a panel discussion as part of the 'Authors Spotlight' series, which showcases influential literary and intellectual voices from the Arab world. Scheduled for Saturday, July 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, the session will feature acclaimed Iraqi novelist Ali Bader in a conversation moderated by Dr Amina Al Hashimi.
The discussion will explore key moments in Bader's literary career, with particular attention to his works addressing themes of exile and identity, such as 'Papa Sartre.'
Earlier this year, SPL hosted the 'Exhibition of the Lens of Literary Beginnings' from April 21 to May 4, collaborating with the Emirates Writers and Authors Union.
The exhibition provided an interactive journey through the early creative experiences of Emirati writers, featuring digital displays highlighting their biographies and debut works.
Visitors also had the opportunity to use vintage typewriters to write motivational messages encouraging reading, while enjoying a compact cultural cafe that added a warm, literary ambience to the experience.
In an interactive touch, the exhibition invited visitors to write their own messages about reading on a vintage typewriter, offering a personal connection to the literary journey.
A mini cultural café further enhanced the experience, offering a space for reflection and fostering a lively literary atmosphere.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
Under the patronage of Mohammed bin Rashid .. the Award elevates its global status serving the Holy Quran
22 July 2025 13:02 Dubai (Aletihad)The Dubai International Holy Quran Award, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has witnessed a significant leap in the number of registered Quran memorizers for its 28th edition in 2026, reinforcing one of the key objectives of its new developmental vision "In search of the most beautiful Quran recitation". With the registration period concluding today, the award received 5,618 applications from 105 countries across various continents, with 30% of applications submitted under the female category. Global Interest Reinforces the Award's StandingHis Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, reiterated that this overwhelming interest from male and female Quran memorizers reflects the exceptional success of the developmental vision initiated by the patron of the award, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This vision aims to broaden international participation and affirms Dubai's leading role in serving the Holy Quran and establishing itself as a global hub for honoring memorizers and scholars and institutions that serve the Holy added that this record-breaking participation is a result of the qualitative enhancements introduced in the 28th edition, most notably the introduction of a dedicated category for female participants for the first time, allowing direct personal nomination in addition to the traditional nominations by a participant's country or by a recognized Islamic prize money was also increased, bringing the total value of the award's prizes to over Dh12 million, with the first-place winner in both the male and female categories receiving $1 Excellency also emphasized that the award has firmly established itself as the largest and most prestigious award honoring Quran memorizers, thanks to the continuous support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He noted that this edition marks a new turning point in the award's history, further elevating its status and enhancing Dubai's global contributions to serving the Holy Quran, encouraging its memorization, and spreading its noble values and teachings. Wide International Participation Ibrahim Jasem Al Mansouri, Acting Director of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, stated that the 28th edition received applications from across the globe, including Arab and Islamic countries as well as Muslim communities in various non-Muslim countries. Egypt topped the list with 1,410 applications, followed by Pakistan (571), Indonesia (505), India (391), Morocco (248), Syria (211), Bangladesh (211), Iraq (187), Nigeria (133), and Yemen (132). He added that significant numbers of applications were received from Quran memorizers in the United States, Canada, Russia, and European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Applications were also submitted from many other countries across Asia and Africa, in addition to New Mansouri pointed out that this level of global interest aligns with the goals of the award's new developmental vision, through which Dubai aims to expand its influential role in serving the Holy Quran, promoting its memorization, encouraging excellence in recitation and understanding of its sciences, and instilling its values and teachings among the younger generation. He stressed that this growing international interest motivates the award to accelerate efforts and develop more initiatives, programs, and tools to encourage a greater number of countries, institutions, and individuals to engage positively in Quran memorization and recitation, and deepen their connection to its sciences. Preliminary Evaluation Stage UnderwayThe Dubai International Holy Quran Award received 5,816 applications during the registration period, which ran from May 21 to July 20. Of these, 30% were submitted under the female category. All eligible applications have entered the preliminary evaluation stage, which began early July and will continue until the end of the applicants from the preliminary round will move to the second stage, which will involve direct video calls between the memorizers and the evaluation committee. This phase will run from September 1 to 30. Finalists will then advance to the final evaluation round, which will take place in person in Dubai during the second week of Ramadan. A Developmental Vision with Groundbreaking AdditionsThe Dubai International Holy Quran Award had previously announced a new developmental vision for its 28th edition (1447H – 2026), aimed at making the award more distinguished and impactful. This reaffirms Dubai's leading role in serving the Holy Quran and strengthens its position as a global center for honoring Quran memorizers from around the world. The new edition includes significant additions that build on the award's legacy of 28 years. The total value of the award's prizes has been raised to over Dh12 million, with the first-place winner in both the male and female memorization categories receiving $1 million prize value for the Islamic Personality of the Year has also been increased to $1 million. Among the groundbreaking updates in this edition is the introduction of a dedicated category for female participants, bringing the total number of categories to three: Full Quran Memorization – Male, Full Quran Memorization – Female, and the Islamic Personality of the Year Award. Participants may now apply through direct personal nomination, via a recognized Islamic center, or through official bodies worldwide. The developmental vision also includes expanding the scope of international participation, modernizing nomination, evaluation, and judging procedures, and launching new initiatives to enhance the quality and performance of participants.
Campaign ME
16-07-2025
- Campaign ME
Cartoon Network HD
Agency Language: Arabic and English Select Track option Website: Media rep: ATL Media Content: Kids 6-12 Reach: Global
Gulf Today
13-07-2025
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Public Libraries bring 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life
As part of its centennial celebrations, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) launched 'The History of Letters and Movement' exhibition at Al Rahmaniyah Mall, which runs until July 20, in collaboration with the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah. Tracing the development of Arabic script over fourteen centuries, the exhibition explores how abstract early forms evolved into one of the most intricate and expressive writing systems in the world. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the exhibition provides visitors with an in-depth look at the milestones that have shaped Arabic writing, from the introduction of diacritical marks to the refinement of calligraphic styles. It highlights the script's transformation into a medium of knowledge and beauty, reaching its artistic and linguistic zenith in the Holy Quran. It underscores the enduring role of the script in preserving cultural identity and transmitting knowledge across generations. The exhibition highlights the pivotal milestones in the development of Arabic writing and the influential role of the Holy Quran in refining writing tools and improving pronunciation and reading accuracy. It underscores the Quran's significance as both a linguistic and aesthetic reference that contributed to the standardisation and development of the Arabic language. On display are rare manuscripts and artefacts from the Holy Quran Academy collection, reflecting the artistic diversity of Arabic calligraphy. They demonstrate how the written word became a tool for preserving heritage, language, and knowledge, as well as a mirror of the transformations in Arab and Islamic society and thought. Reflecting a broad cultural movement, Eman Bushulaibi, Director of SPL, said: 'The exhibition is part of SPL's ongoing efforts to introduce the public to the rich artistic and cultural heritage embedded in the evolution of Arabic writing, which played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual and scientific renaissance of the Arab and Islamic world.' She continued: 'The development of Arabic script reflects a far-reaching cultural movement that enriched Arab and Islamic literature with some of the most remarkable manuscripts and texts, meticulously created by skilled scribes in eras that relied solely on the reed pen and inkwell. Despite the limited tools, they succeeded in building a legacy of knowledge that continues to be honoured today. We hope the exhibition provides visitors with a chance to contemplate this legacy and appreciate the enduring power of writing in preserving identity and conveying ideas across generations.' SPL invites residents and visitors of all ages to embark on a visual and cultural journey, exploring the evolution of the Arabic letter from stone inscriptions and manuscripts to printed books. The exhibition offers a meaningful encounter with a living linguistic heritage that continues to influence and shape contemporary Arab culture.
