The heads of Arab Publishers’ Unions, as well as a number of independent publishers addressed to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah a message of appreciation for his noble efforts towards the support of the cultural movement in general and the publishing industry in particular, asserting that the decree issued by His Highness last Monday to exempt publishers participating in the 39th edition of the international book fair from payment of pavilion rental fees saved the Arab publishing industry and helped to accelerate its revival.
Speaking about this royal favor, Mr. Mohammad Rashad said ”We certainly appreciate the noble initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which embodies his keen response to the requests of Arab publishers and reflects His Highness’s awareness of the current straits of the publishing industry and the importance of supporting the people working in that sector under the grim circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic”
For his part, Mr. Ali Bin Hatem, President of the Emirates Publishers Association said” This royal favor extended by his Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah is an example to be followed internationally towards fostering the publishing sector and bolstering the efforts exerted by the people working in it. In fact this unprecedented royal favor embodies the visions and missions adopted by the emirate of Sharjah within the framework of its leadership of the cultural and civilizational project that it had itself initiated” Mr. Ali Bin Hatem added that ”This royal favor serves as a reminder to publishers of their many responsibilities towards the book market and further strengthens their commitment towards the Arab and international libraries, as reflected by the release of high quality publications that serve both their nations both at present and in future”
In his turn, Mr. Said Abdou Mostafa, President of the Egyptian Publishers Association said” We extend our deepest appreciation and sincerest gratitude to his Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah for this generous royal favor that reflects his constant backing for Arab publishers, whom he spares no means to support their continued prosperity. We further appreciate the great efforts that were exerted towards the launching of the current edition of the Sharjah int’l book fair to be the first such event to be organized under these dire circumstances whether on the Arab or international levels.
Mr. Haitham Moafaq AlHafez, President of the Syrian Publishers Association said” The sincere efforts exerted by his Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah have always been instrumental towards and of the deepest impact in the service of the Arab culture and the people working in that field. In fact such a favor coming at a time when the whole world is suffering under the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19 pandemic will only inspire continued work in the book publishing industry, which is the mainstay of the cultural movement”
Mr. Nourul Hoda Mohammad, secretary general of the Sudanese Publishers Association said” ”We certainly extend our deepest gratitude to the management of the 39th edition of the Sharjah int’l book fair for their efforts towards the optimal organization of the fair, as well as our sincerest appreciation for the initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to exempt publishers from pavilion rental fees at the fair.
For his part, Mr. Munzer Sassi, spokesman for the Tunisian Publishers Association said” On behalf of the Tunisian Publishers Association, we cannot but express our sincerest appreciation for this initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which is a blessed step towards ensuring the continuity of the publishing business during this crucial period and represents a call for all nations to stand by its publishers under the current circumstances.
Those were just a representative sample of the many Arab Publishing Houses that participated in this event and expressed their appreciation for the royal favor extended by his Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in support of publishers and the publishing industry. This royal favor is a good step towards alleviating the financial burdens publishers are laboring under.