Latest news with #TheHouseofWisdom
Sharjah 24
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Majid Zakery inspires young artists at SCRF 2025 workshop
Majid's artistry needs little introduction in the world of children's literature. His recent collaboration with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority, on the acclaimed The House of Wisdom book has not only captured young imaginations but also clinched the festival's coveted Best Children's Book award this year. The book has been lauded internationally, picking up several honours, including the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award in fiction at Italy's renowned Bologna Children's Book Fair. For his SCRF workshop, Majid conjured up a little tale called 'The City of Dreams'— featuring four charming characters: Sam, a spirited boy; Layla, a curious girl; Puff, a friendly dragon; and Coco, a whimsical fairy. Festival-goers may recognise these mascots from the colourful illustrations that adorn the venue's walls. 'This festival is beautifully organised and a wonderful opportunity for children,' said Majid, who has been attending SCRF for several years but hosted his very first workshop this edition. 'The children are talented and eager to learn. Experiences like these can shape their futures in ways we can't yet imagine.' Supporting him this year is his daughter, Narges, a 23-year-old English teacher from Iran, who helps bridge the language gap between English and Arabic-speaking participants. 'It's a delight to assist the children with their questions and be part of such a vibrant event,' she said. During the session, each child was invited to sketch their favourite character from Majid's story, colour it to their liking before cutting and pasting them onto vibrant backgrounds. For many, it was a first, thrilling introduction to the world of illustration—a glimpse into the creative process behind the books they love. With a career spanning more than three decades, Majid Zakery Younesy's influence reaches far beyond Iran. He has held over 50 exhibitions around the world and boasts an impressive tally of more than 30 international and domestic awards for his work. The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival continues at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 4, once again cementing the emirate's reputation as a cultural beacon in the region. For more information and to explore the full programme, visit
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Kalimat celebrates award win, unveils new reading initiatives
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder of Kalimat Group, held a book signing session at Kalimat's stand during the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025). The event was a celebration of her new title 'The House of Wisdom,' which won the Sharjah Children's Book Award in the English-language category for ages 7-13 and the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award 2025. The festival, under the theme 'Dive into Books,' continues at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 4. As part of its continued efforts, Kalimat Group, a leading homegrown publisher, has announced a series of new initiatives that reinforce its mission to promote reading culture. These include the release of new titles, the signing of strategic partnerships, and a number of author-led reading sessions. The festival, under the theme 'Dive into Books,' continues at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 4. Furthermore, Kalimat Group revealed several exciting new collaborative projects aimed at enhancing the scope of Arabic children's publishing. Strategic partnership with Sharjah Cooperative Society Kalimat Group has entered into a strategic sponsorship agreement with the Sharjah Cooperative Society. This agreement will see the Society sponsoring Kalimat's stand at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival for the next three years. The collaboration underscores the mutual commitment to promoting cultural engagement and raising awareness about the importance of reading. Together, both entities aim to launch several initiatives that will encourage reading, literacy, and education in Sharjah and beyond. New book launches at the festival Kalimat Group has also leveraged its presence at the region's leading literary festival for young readers to launch several new titles. Among them is 'Did You Know?' by Sheikha Meera Al Qasimi, a fun and educational book for children aged 6 and above. The book presents quirky animal facts in both Arabic and English, engaging young minds with fascinating, easy-to-understand facts. Additionally, the group has unveiled 'Fasten your Seatbelt,' written by Noura Alkhoori and published in collaboration with Sharjah Airport. This educational title takes young readers on a journey through the world of aviation, from check-in to takeoff, providing them with a fun and accessible introduction to air travel. Interactive reading sessions with prominent authors To further enrich its presence at the festival, Kalimat Group organised a series of interactive reading sessions with a range of visiting authors, including Amal Nasser, Sarah Abdullah, Samya Ayesh, Yazan Masarweh, Mariam Al Jammal, and Maitha Al Khayyat. These sessions provided children with the opportunity to engage directly with authors, encouraging creativity and a love of reading. Kalimat Group invites visitors to its showcase in Hall 6, Stand no. 95 at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival to explore its latest releases and participate in a series of engaging cultural activities designed to spark imagination and expand young minds.
Gulf News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Sharjah: Kalimat Group celebrates award win and unveils new initiatives
Sharjah: Kalimat Group, a leading home-grown publisher in Sharjah, has announced a series of new initiatives that reinforce its mission to promote reading culture. These include the release of new titles, the signing of strategic partnerships, and a number of author-led reading sessions. Kalimat Group revealed several exciting new collaborative projects aimed at enhancing the scope of Arabic children's publishing. The initiatives were announced during a ceremony in Sharjah where Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder of Kalimat Group, held a book signing session at Kalimat's stand during the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025). The event was a celebration of her new title The House of Wisdom, which won the Sharjah Children's Book Award in the English-language category for ages 7-13 and the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award 2025. The festival, under the theme 'Dive into Books,' continues at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 4. Kalimat Group has entered into a strategic sponsorship agreement with the Sharjah Cooperative Society. This agreement will see the Society sponsoring Kalimat's stand at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival for the next three years. The collaboration underscores the mutual commitment to promoting cultural engagement and raising awareness about the importance of reading. Together, both entities aim to launch several initiatives that will encourage reading, literacy, and education in Sharjah and beyond. New book launches at the festival Kalimat Group has also leveraged its presence at the region's leading literary festival for young readers to launch several new titles. Among them is Did You Know? by Sheikha Meera Al Qasimi, a fun and educational book for children aged 6 and above. The book presents quirky animal facts in both Arabic and English, engaging young minds with fascinating, easy-to-understand facts. Additionally, the group has unveiled Fasten Your Seatbelt, written by Noura Alkhoori and published in collaboration with Sharjah Airport. This educational title takes young readers on a journey through the world of aviation, from check-in to take-off, providing them with a fun and accessible introduction to air travel. Interactive reading sessions To further enrich its presence at the festival, Kalimat Group organised a series of interactive reading sessions with a range of visiting authors, including Amal Nasser, Sarah Abdullah, Samya Ayesh, Yazan Masarweh, Mariam Al Jammal, and Maitha Al Khayyat. These sessions provided children with the opportunity to engage directly with authors, encouraging creativity and a love of reading. Kalimat Group invites visitors to its showcase in Hall 6, Stand no. 95 at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival to explore its latest releases and participate in a series of engaging cultural activities designed to spark imagination and expand young minds.
Gulf Today
25-02-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Sheikha Bodour's ‘The House of Wisdom' receives BolognaRagazzi Award in Italy
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder of Kalimat Group, has led a reading session for her new book, 'The House of Wisdom,' aimed at young readers aged nine and above, and received the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award in the fiction category as part of the Bologna Children Book Fair (BCBF) in Italy. The BolognaRagazzi Award recognises books distinguished by their high-quality content and artistic design. It celebrates innovation in children's literature, helping to promote meaningful storytelling and foster a culture of reading among younger generations. Bodour Al Qasimi's latest work takes readers on a journey through the history of the House of Wisdom also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad, an iconic institution established by Caliph Harun Al Rashid during the Islamic Golden Age, and its lasting impact on the world of knowledge before its eventual destruction by Hulagu Khan, leader of the Mongol Empire. This engaging narrative, illustrated by Majid Zakeri, emphasises knowledge's pivotal role in shaping societies, highlighting its power to build futures. The book encourages young readers to think critically, explore scientific concepts, and recognise their potential to contribute to the advancement of humanity. Reflecting on the award, Sheikha Bodour said, 'The House of Wisdom invites readers on a profound journey into the heart of Arab and Islamic civilisation, shining a light on a rich legacy that continues to inspire and guide future generations. Through this book, we aim to celebrate the intellectual achievements of Arabs and Muslims, whose contributions laid the foundation for a global renaissance.' She continued, 'In today's world, it is easy to overlook the origins of progress, yet every innovation has roots in the vision and efforts of pioneers who sowed the seeds of discovery. 'Our youth must understand their heritage, drawing strength from it to shape a brighter future. We envision the House of Wisdom in Sharjah as a modern-day embodiment of its Baghdad predecessor - a beacon of knowledge that will ignite curiosity and passion for learning among our younger generations.' Celebrating the award, Kalimat Group organised a reading session with children and youth, where Sheikha Bodour drew attention to the House of Wisdom's contributions in Baghdad to key fields like medicine, engineering, and astronomy. She highlighted the institution's inclusive nature, welcoming scholars of all backgrounds, languages, and faiths - spanning Arabic, Persian, Aramaic and Hebrew. A notable historical anecdote shared during the session was Caliph Al Mamun's practice of paying translators the weight of their manuscripts in gold, emphasising the priceless value of knowledge. The reading session was part of a four-day cultural programme, starting on Feb.20, 2025, in collaboration with the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, which has organised a series of creative workshops and an art exhibition. French artist Benjamin Bené and Moroccan calligrapher Marouane Aouinat lead workshops on Feb.21 and 22, where 40 students from Rubu' Qarn, including girls from Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah and boys from Sharjah Youth, created artworks inspired by the book's themes. The exhibition showcasing the students' creations opened on Feb.23 and will run until Feb.27 at the House of Wisdom. Benjamin Bené, a renowned French artist who was honoured by UNESCO in 2012, brought his unique approach to visual arts to the workshops. Marouane Aouinat, an influential Arabic calligrapher, is celebrated for his dedication to preserving and innovating Arabic calligraphy. The book aims to enhance reading skills and foster critical thinking, encouraging young readers to explore history and the invaluable contributions made by Arab scholars. It will be available for purchase in both Arabic and English at the House of Wisdom bookstore and Kalimat Group website.
Zawya
23-02-2025
- General
- Zawya
Bodour Al Qasimi's latest work, ‘The House of Wisdom' received prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award
Sharjah: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder of Kalimat Group, has led a reading session for her new book, ' The House of Wisdom', aimed at young readers aged nine and above, and received the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award in the fiction category as part of the Bologna Children Book Fair (BCBF) in Italy. The BolognaRagazzi Award recognises books distinguished by their high-quality content and artistic design. It celebrates innovation in children's literature, helping to promote meaningful storytelling and foster a culture of reading among younger generations. Al Qasimi's latest work takes readers on a journey through the history of the House of Wisdom also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad, an iconic institution established by Caliph Harun Al-Rashid during the Islamic Golden Age, and its lasting impact on the world of knowledge before its eventual destruction by Hulagu Khan, leader of the Mongol Empire. This engaging narrative, illustrated by Majid Zakeri, emphasises knowledge's pivotal role in shaping societies, highlighting its power to build futures. The book encourages young readers to think critically, explore scientific concepts, and recognise their potential to contribute to the advancement of humanity. Reflecting on the award, Sheikha Bodour said, ' The House of Wisdom invites readers on a profound journey into the heart of Arab and Islamic civilisation, shining a light on a rich legacy that continues to inspire and guide future generations. Through this book, we aim to celebrate the intellectual achievements of Arabs and Muslims, whose contributions laid the foundation for a global renaissance.' She continued, 'In today's world, it is easy to overlook the origins of progress, yet every innovation has roots in the vision and efforts of pioneers who sowed the seeds of discovery. Our youth must understand their heritage, drawing strength from it to shape a brighter future. We envision the House of Wisdom in Sharjah as a modern-day embodiment of its Baghdad predecessor - a beacon of knowledge that will ignite curiosity and passion for learning among our younger generations.' Celebrating the award, Kalimat Group organised a reading session with children and youth, where Sheikha Bodour drew attention to the House of Wisdom's contributions in Baghdad to key fields like medicine, engineering, and astronomy. She highlighted the institution's inclusive nature, welcoming scholars of all backgrounds, languages, and faiths - spanning Arabic, Persian, Aramaic and Hebrew. A notable historical anecdote shared during the session was Caliph Al-Mamun's practice of paying translators the weight of their manuscripts in gold, emphasising the priceless value of knowledge. An engaging cultural programme will introduce the book to its young audiences The reading session was part of a four-day cultural programme, starting on February 20, 2025, in collaboration with the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, which has organised a series of creative workshops and an art exhibition. French artist Benjamin Bené and Moroccan calligrapher Marouane Aouinat lead workshops on February 21 and 22, where 40 students from Rubu' Qarn, including girls from Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah and boys from Sharjah Youth, created artworks inspired by the book's themes. The exhibition showcasing the students' creations opened on February 23 and will run until February 27 at the House of Wisdom. Benjamin Bené, a renowned French artist who was honoured by UNESCO in 2012, brought his unique approach to visual arts to the workshops. Marouane Aouinat, an influential Arabic calligrapher, is celebrated for his dedication to preserving and innovating Arabic calligraphy. The book aims to enhance reading skills and foster critical thinking, encouraging young readers to explore history and the invaluable contributions made by Arab scholars. It will be available for purchase in both Arabic and English at the House of Wisdom bookstore and Kalimat Group website. Video:
