Sharjah has launched its guest of honour programme at the Rabat International Book Fair, which runs from today until April 27 in the Moroccan capital.
A central pavilion in Rabat is hosting Emirati publishers, cultural displays and dedicated stands that highlight landmarks such as Sharjah Publishing City.
The guest of honour programme features a stage for panel discussions with writers and poets, including International Prize for Arabic Fiction nominee Sultan Al Ameemi.
The emirate’s participation, organised through the Sharjah Book Authority, comes on the back of Morocco being named guest of honour at the 2024 Sharjah International Book Fair.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, chairwoman of the Sharjah Book Authority, toured the pavilion on Friday with Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid and the country's Minister of Culture, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, ahead of the book fair's opening.
With the formal launch held at the Chellah archaeological site, Sheikha Bodour highlighted the cultural ties between the UAE and Morocco, citing 14th-century traveller Ibn Battuta, who chronicled both regions in his journeys.
“The relationship between Sharjah and Morocco – or between the UAE and the Kingdom of Morocco – is not something new. It is the continuation of a long history of cultural and intellectual exchange,” she said.
“Centuries ago, the traveller Ibn Battuta visited our region and witnessed its rich heritage and noble Arab values. He saw first-hand the deep bonds that have always united the East and the Maghreb.”
With Sharjah previously serving as guest of honour at prestigious book fairs in London and Seoul, she described these initiatives as reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global cultural hub.
“Our participation today as guest of honour at the Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair reflects this vision,” she said. “It expresses the role that Sharjah plays as a hub for the Arab cultural project – a global centre for cultural and creative dialogue – and a key contributor in shaping the future of Arab culture, publishing, and the book industry, both in the Arab world and beyond.”
Bensaid expressed similar hopes for the 30th Rabat International Book Fair. He said the annual event – which this year hosts more than a hundred international authors and publishers – plays an important role shaping government policy on the kingdom’s literary sector.
“It is a prominent manifestation of our continuing cultural policy,” he said. “We aim to put these visions into practice to help achieve a cultural renaissance that supports the comprehensive development model led by His Majesty Mohammed VI.
“We make sure that every edition of this international fair provides opportunities for as many exhibitors as possible to showcase both new and old titles – thereby boosting book circulation. The fair has always aimed to offer space for monitoring developments and anticipating transformations in publishing and literary activity, as well as in national and international intellectual and cultural issues.”
Also on the agenda in Rabat was the formalisation of a partnership between the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Al Akhawayn University – the latter also offering an American-style liberal arts education with English as the primary language of instruction. The agreement will see both institutions collaborate on courses ranging from Islamic studies and digital humanities to ethical artificial intelligence.
“The MoU with Al Akhawayn reflects the deep-rooted ties between the emirate of Sharjah, the UAE and the Kingdom of Morocco – and highlights our shared commitment to advancing higher education and preserving cultural identity,” said Sheikha Bodour, who is also president of the American University of Sharjah.
“AUS and Al Akhawayn University share a common academic vision – one that values Arabic and Islamic studies, supports research in heritage and identity, and embraces innovation in knowledge creation.
“Through this partnership, we look forward to enriching academic exchange and strengthening collaboration between our institutions and our nations.”
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Ferrari
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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