Sharjah provides Emirati families with 2.1m books

In a unique global initiative, the Emirate of Sharjah has provided 2.1 million books to Emirati households as part of the Home Library project.

Each of the 42,366 libraries consists of 50 books donated by Knowledge without Borders, the Sharjah-based cultural initiative, underlining Sharjah’s claim as a capital of books as well as its status as a capital of culture, art, education and knowledge. It also reflects Sharjah’s focus on investing in a knowledge-based society.

The Home Library is one of the most significant projects launched by Knowledge without Borders, immediately after its inception under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the supervision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Organising Committee of KwB.

The initiative aims to strengthen the bonds between citizens and books, and promote reading as a noble habit in every Emirati household.

This is in perfect alignment with Sharjah’s development plans, which are based on individuals as well as communities, and are aimed at building a better future for them.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Organising Committee of KWB, said: “In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, we continually seek to invest in building individuals, both academically and culturally. By setting up more than 42,000 home libraries across Sharjah, we are investing in the literary growth of hundreds of thousands of individuals who have participated in this initiative. This initiative records yet another resounding success for Sharjah’s ongoing cultural project, which aims to empower our young generations to become global leaders.”  

“The Home Library project aims to instill a daily reading habit among the local communities across Sharjah. Now that every Emirati family in the emirate has a personal library, they will be more motivated and inspired than ever to read and increase their collection of books. This will be a powerful source of enriching their knowledge about the world they live in, and allow them to keep pace with the cultural movement around the world,” added Sheikha Bodour.

For his part, Rashid Al Kous, General Manager of KwB, stressed that they will not stop after the completion of the Home Library project, and will continue to launch and implement campaigns and events that promote reading as a culture, build a knowledge-based society and achieve growth and prosperity, highlighting Sharjah as a cultural capital in the UAE and the wider region.

Eight years of on-going work

The Home Library project was implemented through 13 phases over eight years, from November 2008 to November 2016.

In 2013, KwB completed 11 phases where home libraries were distributed to Emirati families in Shais, Nahwa, Al Madam, Mleiha, Al Saja’a, Wadi Al Helo, Al Hamriyah, Kalba, Khorfakkan and Diba Al Hisn.

The 12 th phase began in March 2014, and featured the distribution of home libraries to UAE households in al Thaid and the surrounding area.

In January 2015, the first part of the 13 th and final phase of the project was launched, targeting Emirati families in Sharjah city, while the second part was launched in May and targeted Muwaileh, Moghaider, Al Khaledeyya and Wasit suburbs in Sharjah.

The number of libraries distributed in each city in the Emirate of Sharjah is 23400 libraries in Sharjah city, 5286 in Khorfakkan, 5500 in Al Thaid, 4500 in Kalba, 2500 in Diba Al Hisn, 140 in Al Madam, 280 in Al Hamriyah, 170 in Al Saja’a, 161 in Mleiha, 156 in Wadi Al Helo, 134 in Nazwa, 31 in Nahwa, 8 in Shais.

KwB aims to promote a robust culture of reading in every Emirati household by establishing home libraries and supplying them with the best books of various genres and areas of knowledge suitable for all family members.

It was established under an initiative by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and is closely supported by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Organising Committee of KwB.

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