Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, has stressed that Sharjah’s selection by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, as the World Book Capital for 2019, is a new and unique achievement for the emirate, which is full of cultural accomplishments and supportive of the enlightenment movement.
He expressed his utmost congratulations and blessings to H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for this great accomplishment and title, which would not have happened without the continued support, patronage and care H.H. to provide the UAE in general, and Sharjah in particular, with the means of its pioneering spirit in the area of knowledge while employing all capabilities to make Sharjah a cultural and social beacon.
"H.H. 's desire to create promising, aware and cultured generations with a passion for knowledge and learning while providing them with the correct upbringing based on sciences and knowledge, to strengthen their connection with the age of knowledge and make them international and modern in their thinking, is what prompted the Sharjah Ruler to pave the way for Sharjah to achieve consecutive cultural progress, the latest being Sharjah’s precious title as the World Book Capital for 2019," he said.
He also considered Sharjah’s achievement of this title as a benefit in advancing education while dedicating the best methods of promoting reading and its sources and starting initiatives that support this goal.
The minister noted that the Ministry of Education is committed to supporting the national efforts to establish a solid base for a generation that uses science as a weapon for the future, absorbs sources of knowledge and practices reading as a daily habit.
"We congratulate the UAE for this leading cultural accomplishment of great importance, represented by the presence of its national cultural movement, as well as Sharjah’s exceptional efforts in the area of community work while considering the great support and patronage of the Ruler of Sharjah for science, knowledge, literature, theatrical productions and reading, forming the foundation for this distinct exceptionalism and success," he added.
Al Hammadi also highlighted the fact that Sharjah has multiple characteristics that help the educational, cultural and enlightenment movement, and some are connected to its innovative and comprehensive nature. He also highlighted Sharjah’s pivotal role in strengthening the reading culture in the UAE and encouraging and launching new initiatives, to overcome the challenges facing literature in both the region and the Arab world.
He noted that Sharjah has contributed, over several decades, to advancing reading and owning books, which it sees a literary treasure, enriching the cultural and scientific knowledge of community members.
the minister also praised the efforts of the United Arab Emirates National Commission for Education, Culture and Science to establish the framework that supports the UAE’s cultural efforts, especially in the Emirate of Sharjah, which contributed to achieving this merit.

Source: WAM