Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has become the de facto ambassador for Arabic publishing around the world. As the recently appointed Chairperson of the new board of directors of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, and immediate past president of the International Publishers Association, she is in the leading position to help shape how the world engages with the Arabic language and literature, both at home in the U.A.E. and abroad. She spoke with us prior to this year’s fair. [related]
How do you define your role in the U.A.E. literary community today?
I am a passionate advocate for books, reading, and culture, and I channel this passion into driving change in the U.A.E. literary scene, with a particular focus on publishing. Despite its relatively young age, the U.A.E. has a thriving literary community, and together with many of my colleagues, including many women in the arts and literature sphere, we are inspiring a young generation to play an important role in shaping the cultural life of our country and region.
I remain a staunch advocate of reading and believe in the transformative power of books, especially given the challenges posed by the digital age. I am passionate about promoting reading as an activity that all ages can enjoy, so it is incredibly rewarding for me to see children flocking around books at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, along with other events we organize for them. Every time I see a child excited about books and reading, I know we are on track to realizing the full potential of our future citizens, male and female.
What has been the most challenging and rewarding aspect of your work with books following your tenure at the IPA?
I will continue to promote Arabic books, authors, and culture. I believe that Arabic literature contains a treasure trove of stories and wisdom that deserves to be shared with the world. Yet, our story has not yet been fully understood or truly represented outside of our region. It is a difficult journey to change the narrative, but I believe that books can and will change misconceptions by building bridges between people from different parts of the world.
PublisHer remains a key focus area for also me because I believe books and libraries must be more inclusive, especially from a female perspective. Female publishers continue to face unfair and outdated work cultures that limit their ability to shine in the industry, and we must change this. I recently participated in a fireside chat about female publishing leadership at the Rio de Janeiro Book Fair organized by the Brazilian chapter of PublisHer, and three months ago, I opened the South Korean chapter of PublisHer in Seoul. These conversations have created greater awareness, and I will continue to support this cause until female publishers get the recognition and professional success they deserve.
How do you see the future of the Sharjah Book Authority and Kalimat Group in the digital age?
The SBA has established itself as a trusted intermediary and credible partner in building cultural bridges between East and West. It has succeeded in making Sharjah a hub for cultural innovation and knowledge exchange. The SBA will build on this legacy to support Sharjah in becoming a global leader in culture, publishing, and the book industry. Through flagship initiatives such as SIBF, the Publishers Conference, the Sharjah Rights Connection Award, and other publishing initiatives, the SBA will continue to promote the expansion of its book market within the region and extend the reach of our books and creative industries to new markets.
Is there a secret you feel the book community could learn about you or the U.A.E. publishing community that would advance their understanding?
One secret which is hiding in plain sight is that women are the hidden force shaping the U.A.E.’s cultural sector, including publishing. There are still many misconceptions about the role of women in the Middle East—Emirati women are the driving force behind many of the cultural conversations and initiatives in our country. From publishing and literature to art, photography, education and heritage preservation, U.A.E. women are putting their names on the world map and are inspiring a generation of young women in the region and beyond.
Can you tell me about two books you read this year that had a strong impact on your outlook for the industry?
I’m always looking for new ways to approach change and challenges empathetically and creatively. Two books I’ve particularly enjoyed this year are The War for Kindness by Jamil Zaki and Loonshots by Safi Bahcall. The War for Kindness explores the concept of empathy and how it can be cultivated in a divided world. Zaki argues that empathy is crucial for fostering understanding, compassion, and collaboration. Loonshots examines how breakthrough ideas are born and how to nurture them. Bahcall argues that “loonshots,” often considered crazy or unrealistic, are essential to progress in any field.
