UAE lauded for including Pak authors in book fair

SHARJAH: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday attended the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), where he engaged with senior leaders in the literary and publishing sectors, reinforcing the deep cultural ties and shared aspirations between Pakistan and the UAE.

During a meeting with Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), Tirmizi expressed his appreciation for the SBA’s commitment to fostering a global literary community and thanked him for supporting the inclusion of Pakistani authors and publishers in the SIBF. Al Ameri praised Pakistan’s rich literary heritage and underscored the SBA’s dedication to amplifying the global presence of Pakistani literature. He highlighted the Sharjah Lightning source initiative, a comprehensive publishing service offering on-demand printing and distribution, noting, “With this platform, authors from any part of the world, including Pakistan, can share their work internationally without logistical challenges.” He affirmed the SBA’s mission to establish Sharjah as a cultural bridge connecting global voices.

Tirmizi commended the SBA initiatives to promote literacy and cultural exchange, underscoring the importance of platforms that cultivate readership and global literary appreciation. “Today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders,” he remarked, pledging his embassy’s support in enhancing Pakistani representation at future SIBF events.

In furthering Pakistan-UAE cultural collaboration, he also met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone. Al Suwaidi outlined the SPC commitment to supporting publishers, investors and entrepreneurs by providing a world-class publishing ecosystem, establishing Sharjah as a hub for literary and cultural engagement.

As part of his visit, Tirmizi connected with Pakistani publishers and distributors, appreciating their efforts in promoting Urdu literature internationally. At the Urdu Book World stall, he lauded Sarmad Khan for his dedication to Urdu literature, and additionally met distributors, including Ink and Pixels Publications, Darussalam International LLC and Qudrat Ullah Company Publications, commending their contributions to showcasing Pakistan’s literary heritage.

The ambassador showed particular interest in the Ibn Al Arabi for the Research and Publishing Foundation’s work, especially a publication by Shah Wali Ullah Mohaddis Dehlivi. Originally researched and published in Lahore by the Rahimia Institute of Quranic Sciences, this esteemed work has been reprinted and distributed globally, reflecting the value of Pakistani scholars on the international stage.

Tirmizi’s visit to the book fair emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening cultural and literary ties with the UAE. His engagements highlighted a shared vision of literary collaboration and cross-cultural understanding, marking a significant step towards enriching the cultural landscapes of both nations.