Sheikh Sultan launches French version of 'Bibi Fatima' book

PARIS: His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, stressed that France has a great role in enriching culture. Pointing out that Sheikh Sultan is a student of the French culture, which enhanced the cooperation between France and United Arab Emirates in exchanging the cultural experiences.

This came during Sheikh Sultan's speech on Friday, at the launching ceremony of the French version of His Highness’ book "Bibi Fatima and The King’s Sons" in Paris.

Sheikh Sultan pointed out on the importance of preserving the culture through arts, historical books, and sculptures that are displayed in many museums around France, notably Musée d'Orsay, where the ceremony was held.

Sheikh Sultan also assigned the important chronicle of the "Bibi Fatima" story, which highlights the historical aspects of the Kingdom of Hormuz under the Portuguese occupation. He pointed out that the Gulf incurred the Portuguese colonialism and then British as it showed at the end of the story.

Sheikh Sultan added that France did not have a prominent presence in the Gulf because of its wars between Britain. Also Fares offered to France the ambitions on the Arabian Gulf region, but France did not colonise any country of the Gulf regions.

During his speech, Sheikh Sultan expounded the historical status of the emirate of Sharjah, speaking of the ancient area Mleiha that called "Mlokha" in Greek, which means the "spacious place."

He added that the caravans used to pass by Sharjah through Mleiha, to reach their destination from Sohar.

"The French version of "Bibi Fatima and The King’s Sons" book, which tells the story of an important period of time in fine detail, is authenticated with true documentation," Dr Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, former French Minister of Culture, highlighting the story's most prominent characters and history.

The former French Minister of Culture also praised the efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in the field of culture, and congratulated the emirate of Sharjah for winning the title of "World Book Capital" for 2019, stressing that this came after a significant cultural achievements.

Sheikh Sultan signed a number of copies of the book in French and presented them to publishers, writers and intellectuals.

During the launching ceremony, a work of art that pictured the character of Bibi Fatima was displayed, while a film about the "Bibi Fatima" book was screened, besides a documentary film that presented Sharjah as the "World Book Capital 2019."

The ceremony was attended by Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Culture Department; Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA); Mohammed Ismail Al Sahlawi, chargé d'affaires of UAE Embassy to France; ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, Kingdom of Bahrain, Republic of Mauritania, and Republic of the Comoros; Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB); Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, Executive Director of Emirates News Agency (WAM); Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY); officials from both sides; several newspapers chief editors and representative of local and international media.

WAM