Sultan Bin Ahmed attends ‘Asmar’ podcast session

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, attended the “Asmar” podcast session on Saturday evening as part of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

The podcast was hosted by Dr Faisal Al Shahrani, along with poets Abdul Latif Bin Yusuf Al Mubarak and Abdullah Al Anzi, who discussed the impact of poetry in Arab history, touching on themes of love, romance, elegy, praise, invective, and the power of poetry to elevate or diminish individuals and communities, WAM reported.

The speakers emphasised the significance of poetry in Arab life and its central role, noting how poets held a unique status among tribes due to their ability to immortalise events and moments through their verses.

They explored the themes of emotion and love among poet-lovers, highlighting how poetry has preserved their stories and experiences, enriching the Arab imagination with profound, pure emotions that people share among themselves.

During the discussion, numerous stories and examples of poetry from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions were mentioned, illustrating their relevance throughout Arab history.

SHARJAH PUBLIC LIBRARY: Sharjah Public Library (SPL) has evolved into far more than just places to borrow books. They serve as pillars of community, cultural hubs, and spaces that reflect the emirate’s commitment to knowledge and accessibility for all.

With six branches across Sharjah, the library network is purposefully positioned to serve a broad swath of communities, from the central cultural square to the coastal town of Kalba, and even into remote mountain villages like Wadi Al Hilo.

“Our libraries cover most of Sharjah and they serve the surrounding areas, even connecting to the northern Emirates,” noted Eman Majid Bushulaibi, Director of Sharjah Public Libraries, at the institution’s booth at the ongoing Sharjah International Book Festival. Since its foundation in 1925, Sharjah Public Library has woven itself into the fabric of the city. A hallmark is its inclusivity and accessibility, the libraries are pioneers in the UAE, being among the first to provide tailored services for visually impaired individuals.

“We have a specialised hall for the visually impaired, a Braille printer, and audio-visual resources. A lot of these books have been catalogued by an individual who is now the president of the Emirati Association for the Visually Impaired,” noted Bushulaibi.

In addition to supporting accessibility, SPL offers a robust programme of community engagement through events, collections, and services.

“The community is very tied together,” said Bushulaibi, highlighting how families and neighbours gather for library events, especially in close-knit areas like Wadi Al Hilo and Kalba.

On the recent announcement of a DhS4.5 million grant by the government to stock libraries in the emirates, Bushulaibi said, “We get a good portion of the grant each year and work towards developing the collection by three to five percent. Even with just the minimum, that means 6,000 new copies. This grant allows us to introduce fresh materials that keep the library’s resources up-to-date and aligned with the interests and needs of our readers. Whatever we get, we catalogue, shelve, and make it available immediately.”

While print remains popular among patrons, SPL boasts a growing digital collection of more than six million items, ensuring broad access to knowledge in a digital age. As the library leadership points out, “Our digital collection is actually larger than our printed collection.”

This blend of digital and physical resources speaks to the library’s emphasis on sustainability and meeting modern demands without sacrificing traditional formats.

Innovation is another cornerstone of the Sharjah library system. Technology is becoming a key tool in reducing processing times and increasing efficiency.

“The changes happen as we speak,” Bushlabi added. To that end, the staff are regularly trained on emerging technologies, ensuring that they remain knowledgeable and proactive in serving a digitally savvy public.

SPL prides itself on offering multilingual, multicultural spaces that serve patrons from diverse backgrounds. With books in over 50 languages and patrons from more than 70 nationalities, the library caters to a range of linguistic and cultural needs.