Sharjah realises int’l position in writing, culture: Al Sayegh

Sharjah / WAM

Habib Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union and Secretary-General of the Arab Writers Union, stressed that the international position of Sharjah in writing, in particular, and culture, in general, has been realised, due to the wise and farsighted vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and Honorary President of the Emirates Writers Union, to promote its comprehensive civilised development.
This came as part of his statement on Sharjah’s selection as the World Book Capital for 2019 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, while greeting H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for this historic international achievement.
Al Sayegh said that culture is a traditional and essential component of development and civilisation, adding that it must be open to new influences while preserving its historic origins.
“The Sharjah project has sought, since its beginning, to be at the centre, as its strength lies in its ambitions and aspirations to make a profound and wise difference, not only on a local level but also on the level of global culture. The project is based on a range of key values that characterise Arab and Islamic heritage, and therefore, it has two important roles. The first role is to export these values in their traditional forms to the world, which were distorted by dark extremist forces that promote false images of our religion and heritage, and the second consists of promoting and enriching human
culture through literary,
intellectual and artistic achievements,” he further added.
Al Sayegh highlighted that Sharjah can attract the world’s attention about the importance of its mission and became one of the main cultural centres, adding that it is time to perform a more significant role, especially in literature. This coincides with its major project, “Sharjah Book City”, which is entirely devoted to publishing and is considered the first project of its kind in the region, which fulfil the needs of production companies and institutions to promote the book industry in the Arab region, as well as other programmes being implemented under the slogan, “Read.. You’re in Sharjah”, including the six issues of solidarity, reading, heritage, awareness, publishing and youth.
Al Sayegh ended his statement by wishing H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi success in his great and noble mission on his behalf and on behalf of all UAE and Arab writers, intellectuals and talented people, and all other people interested in Arab culture.