Ramadan Book Fair, in its second edition, will be launched the day after tomorrow, Thursday, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture. This was held at Darb Al-Saai headquarters in Umm Salal, with the participation of 79 publishing houses and bookstores inside and outside Qatar.
Mr. Jassim Al-Buainain, Director of Ramadan Book Fair, said that the second edition, which will last until next April 5, is full of many cultural and religious activities for young people and children, which is in line with the vision of the Ministry of Culture aimed at enriching the experience of visitors and keeping pace with the atmosphere of the holy month.
Al-Buainain noted the participation of a large number of publishing houses in the activities of the second edition, saying that it attracts 48 Qatari publishing houses and libraries, and 48 foreign publishing houses from 14 countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Tunisia, Algeria, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
He stressed that the Ministry of Culture is keen to provide all aspects of support for Qatari publishing houses to enhance their contribution to the localization of books, expand the circle of readers and support the publishing and authoring industry, in addition to providing all facilities for foreign publishing houses to enrich their participation in the exhibition’s activities.
He noted that the Ministry of Culture was keen in this edition to enhance the participation of a large number of publishing houses specialized in children’s and young adult books in both Arabic and English, pointing out that the exhibition is an opportunity to launch books and modern publications and is a platform supporting authorship and the publishing and book industry in Qatar.
Al-Buainain noted that the exhibition will witness throughout its days the establishment of a distinguished and rich package of activities and events, including the Ramadan Majlis, which attracts public and influential personalities to narrate their history and achievements, in addition to a series of cultural and religious seminars in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development and the Family, and the Qatar Reads initiative.
Al-Buainain revealed that the exhibition will witness the presentation of a group of theatrical performances, workshops and events for children, and this comes in the Ministry’s keenness to develop reading skills and knowledge of the future generation. In addition, the main theater in Darb Al-Saai will witness a number of cultural and religious seminars, as well as the celebration of the Arabic Manuscripts Day.
Al-Buainain said that the exhibition is being held in Darb Al-Saai, as it has become one of the most important places equipped to host cultural and heritage activities in Qatar, noting that it opens its doors to visitors daily from 7:00 pm until 12:00 midnight.
The director of the exhibition pointed out that an area was allocated for performing Tarawih prayers in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, pointing out that the advocacy program accompanying the exhibition includes a series of seminars that discuss rich topics such as the importance of family building in Islam, the rules for making family harmony, as well as the statement of the ethics of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him. Peace and blessings of God be upon him in his family and his imitation, and the provisions of the family in jurisprudence, as well as the most prominent rules that a working woman should act upon, and other topics of concern to the family and society.
It is worth mentioning that holding Ramadan Book Fair for the second time in a row is an embodiment of the Ministry’s keenness to enhance and increase the connection with reading and books, by intensifying initiatives and programs supporting it for all segments of society and all ages.