Bodour Al Qasimi Launches "Read You're in Sharjah" Campaign
Sharjah's legacy of supporting culture, reading, and literature earned it the title of "World Book Capital" in 2019.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, has launched the "Read You're in Sharjah" campaign. Organized by Menassah Distribution Company, this initiative aims to promote reading within the community and reinforce Sharjah's cultural standing in the Arab world.
The campaign's title, inspired by Sharjah's slogan "Smile, you are in Sharjah," highlights the emirate's commitment to books and knowledge. Sharjah's legacy of supporting culture, reading, and literature earned it the title of "World Book Capital" in 2019.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasized the importance of making reading a daily habit, particularly for youth. She pointed out the shared responsibility of cultural institutions in Sharjah to continue launching initiatives that engage young people with writers. She noted that the campaign aligns with Sharjah's cultural goals and its mission to connect the world through culture and literature while supporting creativity in the Arabic language.
Rashid Al-Kous, General Manager of Menassah Distribution Company, said that that the campaign aims to provide high-quality Emirati and Arab cultural content, thereby encouraging reading in Arabic and supporting intellectual growth in Sharjah. This effort aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to solidify the emirate's cultural status.
The campaign also seeks to highlight and celebrate Sharjah's cultural heritage by showcasing reading spots focused on the emirate's historical landmarks. Menassah Distribution Company will implement a promotional campaign targeting the local community, especially the youth, using relatable language and scenarios to establish reading as a source of pleasure and knowledge.
Arabic is the official language of 25 countries and is spoken by more than 467 million people across 60 countries.
In 2021, the World Bank published an alarming report, which found that 59% of children in MENA are experiencing learning poverty, meaning that more than half of children in the region are unable to read and understand age-appropriate texts in Arabic by the age of 10.
