SIBF 2024: Sharjah Ruler unveils UAE's rich past in new Mleiha book (VIDEO)
The region’s 200,000-year story celebrated in stunning new publication
Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the much-anticipated publication, Mleiha: Ancient Treasures of the UAE.
This collaboration between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Assouline Publishing reveals the 200,000-year-old heritage of the Mleiha region.
Designed as a coffee-table book, it offers readers a detailed journey through UAE’s ancient past.
Book launch
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, attended the event, underscoring its significance for UAE cultural preservation. She expressed that the book "offers a window into the values and heritage that shape our identity in Sharjah and the UAE," and is intended to inspire “future generations with a passion for exploration and a profound appreciation of our rich heritage.”
Notable contributors include Issa Yousef and other distinguished scholars.
Sharjah International Book Fair
The launch, held on 6th November 2024, took place at the opening of the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), with Sheikh Sultan visiting Shurooq and Assouline’s joint pavilion. The Ruler signed the first copy, cementing Sharjah’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its rich cultural legacy.
A collaborative effort
The book, a product of collaboration between Shurooq and renowned Assouline Publishing, brings together international historians and artists. It highlights Mleiha’s evolution from early settlements to its prominence in trade, with contributions from Eric Van Nynatten and Amy Elena Nash adding a visual layer. This academic yet visually engaging work elevates Mleiha’s status as both a historical and an eco-tourism destination.
Mleiha's legacy
Mleiha: Ancient Treasures of the UAE provides a comprehensive view of this UNESCO-recognised site, from Bronze Age tombs to intricate artefacts of lost civilisations. The book is an artistic and educational resource for scholars, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts, capturing the story of Mleiha’s role in human migration and heritage conservation.
Now available to readers, researchers, and cultural institutions regionally and globally, this monumental work is set to deepen appreciation for the UAE's rich heritage and its ongoing cultural renaissance led by Sharjah. This work serves as an invaluable educational resource and an artistic achievement, broadening the understanding of Mleiha’s archaeological significance. It not only enriches scholars, historians, and collectors but also captures the imagination of a broader audience, spotlighting Sharjah’s cultural heritage and bolstering Mleiha’s appeal as a unique destination combining heritage, culture, and eco-tourism.