Children participating in one of the activities held at Ramadan Book Fair.
Doha: The country’s first edition of Ramadan Book Fair will conclude today. The nine-day event is being held at the western square of Souq Waqif featuring programmes for all ages through lectures, seminars, art workshops and children’s theatre.
Several dignitaries visited the Book Fair including Ambassador of Iraq to Qatar, H E Omar Al Barzanji; Ambassador of Turkey, H E Mustafa Goksu where they toured around the kiosks and check on books that are mostly related to religion.
In a statement, Ambassador Goksu said the fair at Souq Waqif is a success given the large number of visitors the place is receiving every day. He also emphasised that the fair enriches the literacy scene and cultural diversity of the country.
Exhibition Manager Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain said the fair coinciding the holy month of Ramadan focuses on religious books. He explained that they are conducting this event to promote a culture of reading in the country.
The first year of the Ramadan Book Fair is a success, said Head of the Technical Committee at the Fair, Abdulrahman Al Hitmi. He said the location of the fair at Souq Waqif was decided as it is one of the most frequented places where people come.
Former Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Qatar Petroleum, H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said the fair continues the cultural movement in Qatar and promotes localisation of books, especially with the intense presence of the public.
Historical books and manuscripts dating back over 300 years ago are also in display from the Abdul Aziz Al Bohashem Al Sayed Library for Heritage Books. The collection includes valuable religious and historical books like the Arabian Desert books. Aside from Arabic language, they have a huge compilation of books in English and French.
Children’s theatre, art workshops and seminars and talks including the Muslim Family: Perspectives on contemporary reality; The position of Sunna in legislation; The Noble Qur’an and Turkish Sacrifice, to name some were held. The children’s theatre along with various competitions will continue today.
The book fair is being organised by the Ministry of Culture, and represented by Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events. It opens today at 8pm until 12 midnight.
Thirteen local publishing houses who participated in the first edition, this is along with other 35 countries from nine countries which are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, India and Australia.
