On view at SCRF: Compassionate givers, award winners, bibliophiles

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Kalimat Foundation is one of the more prominent anchors of the 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).

A non-profit organisation founded under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, its primary aim is to uphold children’s rights to read and access books. Specially serving vulnerable and visually disabled children, it strives to equip and empower them with knowledge and ideas through books, by means of a variety of accessible formats. “This will ease their social integration; it will build better prospects for them in learning and better prospects in adulthood,” says the Foundation.

Stitching Hope for Gaza is one of its initiatives. Reem Jassem, Manager, Special Initiatives, said that it was a merchandise line launched to support the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) campaign for Gaza. The products have been inspired by the art of tatreez (embroidery) and keffiyeh (also called kaffiyeh or kufiyyah), the headdress typically made of cotton and traditionally worn by men in parts of the Middle East. The black-and-white checkered keffiyeh is seen as symbolic of the Palestinian liberation movement; it also works to convey political sentiments.

  Inayath at Deen Square booth, Reem Jassem at the Kalimat Foundation counter.

“One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the sale of the merchandise is dedicated to support the children of Gaza through the ERC’s Tarahum (Mercy) for Gaza campaign,” Jassem said. She said that the T-shirts, tote bags, pouches and pen pouches, magnetic pins and stickers, were designed by Kalimat’s in-house designers. The price range is a very affordable Dhs35 – 250. The products carry emblems of Palestine such as watermelon, olive branch, candlestick, pictures of the Dome of the Rock and messages such as Peace, Kindness, and Love. The candlestick tatreez has a special meaning in Gaza and holds historical significance; the village crier would carry a candlestick while visiting families to invite them for special occasions. It symbolises community and shared celebrations.Heart tatreez, a motif found across multiple garments, serves as a reminder to spread love and kindness. The Scissors and Roses tatreez design contrasts the sharp edge of scissors and the delicacy of roses, symbolising the coexistence of strength and fragility, creating a harmonious balance. The olive branch tatreez is a reminder of Palestinian farming, reflecting an enduring connection to the land. “This line was launched during Ramadan,” Jassem said.

  Suganthiya Devi (left) and Rasha Al-Barazi.

The art of tatreez or Palestinian embroidery, once a traditional craft practiced by village women, has become an important symbol of Palestinian culture and identity, of resilience and resistance. It is a rich, artistic tradition passed down through generations, and is now common in all of Palestine and among members of the diaspora. Although the Palestinian cultural landscape has changed dramatically in the last 50 years, Palestinian tatreez embroidery has remained a vibrant handicraft. For many Palestinians, it is a familiar reminder of Palestine of the days of their grandparents or great grandparents. In 2021, UNESCO added tatreez to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

SCRF is also seeing the presence of Einfobase Book Trading LLC, headed by Chandni Narang. With a main office in Dubai, it has a branch in Muwaileh in Sharjah. Suganthiya Devi and Rasha Al-Barazi, who are working at the Einfobase stand, said that the book distributor was taking part in SCRF for the first time. By phone, Narang said that she was offering reading and activity material. “We export books to seven countries,” she said. “All our titles are originals from reputed publishers such as Random House, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury and Simon & Schuster. We don’t deal in fake books!”

  M.V.Akbar, Managing Director, Lipi Publications.

Seetal Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Mumbai, India, with a space in Sharjah, has brought only children’s books to its SCRF place. “It includes colouring and story books, word search books and activity books,” said Anusha K., who was at the booth. “They are for children below 10 years.” Seetal has been a SCRF participant for the past 10 years. Deen Square, whose motto is ‘Elevating Faith, Embracing Values’, has brought books both for children and adults. Its books and media category covers Quran and translations and books on Hadith and Seerah, while its Hajj and Umrah products include bags, guidebooks and ihrams, the ceremonially plain clothing worn by Muslims on pilgrimage. This was pointed out by Inayat, who was working at the stall.

M. V. Akbar’s Lipi Publications, headquartered in Kozhikode or Calicut, Kerala State, India, has been famous for, among other achievements, publishing the book From Dreamer to Visionary. It is a biography for children about His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Authored by Anitha Padanattil, it traces the journey of His Highness from childhood till his ascension to the throne. Lipi Publications enjoys the support of many reputed writers and readers. It has completed two and half decades of service and is well-known in mainstream publishing industry. Lipi has published over two thousand titles in categories such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, poetry, children’s literature and general books, in the Malayalam, English, Arabic and Hindi languages. “We are the only publication to have published selected film songs penned by renowned silver screen lyricists like Yusufali Kechery, Girish Puthanchery, K. Jayakumar, Kavalam Narayana Panicker, Kaithapram and Mankombu Gopalakrishnan, among others,” says the publisher. Lipi has won recognition and awards including the Kerala Sahitya Academy award, Balamani Amma Puraskaram and Kunjunni Master Puraskaram for production, layout, and printing values.