SHARJAH: Pakistani Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Faisal Niaz Tirmizi actively represented Pakistan’s vibrant literary and cultural heritage at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2024.
Tirmizi engaged with key figures from the literary and publishing worlds, aiming to reinforce the close cultural ties between Pakistan and the UAE.
During his visit, Ambassador Tirmizi met with Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), where they discussed the role of SIBF in promoting a global literary community. Ambassador Tirmizi expressed deep appreciation for SBA’s commitment to fostering international connections through literature, specifically acknowledging the UAE's support of Pakistani authors and publishers.
Ambassador Tirmizi at SIBF 2024
“Today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders,” remarked Ambassador Tirmizi, pledging further support to ensure Pakistan’s ongoing involvement in future SIBF events.
Al Ameri, in turn, commended Pakistan’s rich literary legacy and highlighted SBA’s initiatives to elevate Pakistani literature on the world stage.
Sharjah’s vision as a cultural bridge
The SBA CEO, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, also emphasised SBA’s aim to establish Sharjah as a global cultural hub. He spotlighted the Sharjah Lightningsource initiative, a publishing platform that offers on-demand printing and distribution, enabling international authors to share their work seamlessly. “With this platform, authors from any part of the world, including Pakistan, can share their work internationally without logistical challenges,” said Al Ameri. He praised the collaboration, noting its role in nurturing understanding between diverse cultures and reinforcing Sharjah’s commitment to knowledge exchange.
Ambassador Tirmizi echoed this sentiment, lauding Sharjah’s ambition to bridge cultures through literature and reiterating Pakistan’s readiness to contribute to these goals.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
Furthering Pakistan-UAE literary collaboration, Tirmizi met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone, which provides a world-class ecosystem supporting publishers, investors, and literary entrepreneurs. Al Suwaidi highlighted SPC’s dedication to advancing Sharjah as a central hub for literature, saying, “Our goal is to support writers and publishers from around the world.”
Ambassador Tirmizi expressed enthusiasm for SPC’s model, seeing it as a valuable asset in promoting Urdu and Pakistani literature globally.
At the Urdu Book World stall, Tirmizi recognised Sarmad Khan’s efforts to advance Urdu literature, noting his dedication to introducing Pakistan’s literary treasures to an international audience.
Pakistani publishers at SIBF 2024
Ambassador Tirmizi took time to meet Pakistani publishers and distributors, acknowledging their commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s literary footprint globally. Distributors like Ink and Pixels Publications, Darussalam International LLC, and Qudrat Ullah Company Publications received praise for their efforts.
Tirmizi was particularly impressed with the Ibn Al Arabi for Research and Publishing Foundation’s work, including a reprint of a classic by Shah Wali Ullah Mohaddis Dehlivi, originally published in Lahore by the Rahimia Institute of Quranic Sciences.
This initiative, Tirmizi noted, underscores the depth of Pakistani scholarship and its contributions to global literary discourse.
Ambassador Tirmizi’s visit stands as a testament to the growing Pakistan-UAE relationship in the cultural sphere. By collaborating with SIBF, Pakistan aims to broaden the reach of its literary tradition, supporting a global dialogue that embraces diversity, history, and shared aspirations.
Sharjah International Book Fair 2024
SIBF 2024, inaugurated by the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi last week, has welcomed over 2,500 exhibitors from 108 countries, marking one of the largest literary gatherings in the world.
Themed “It Starts with a Book,” the fair presents more than 1,400 events, including workshops and cultural dialogues for all ages.