Daily Dawn, Dawn TV special Report: Rana Mahmood
(Rana Mahmood is a London-based, renowned journalist and award-winning columnist of Pakistani origin. He can be reached at: ranamahmood@hotmail.co.uk and on +44 7956 915244.
Travelling all the way from London to attend the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair was, for me, an act of pure devotion to books. It was my first experience of an international literary festival, and I must salute the Government of Sharjah for hosting such a remarkable celebration of knowledge and culture. I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Sharjah Government, especially the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), for organising visits for schoolchildren from diverse communities. They are the future custodians of the world, and such experiences will remain etched in their memories as a lifelong love for reading takes root. As the Arabic saying goes, “اَلْعِلمُ فِي الصِّغَرِ كَالنَّقْشِ فِي الْحَجَرِ” meaning that knowledge gained in childhood is like engraving on stone, enduring and everlasting.
Where Books Connected the Communities at Large
The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 concluded its twelve-day run at Expo Centre Sharjah with a remarkable affirmation of the Emirate’s global influence in culture, publishing and reading advocacy. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and held from 5 -16 November 2025, the fair drew more than 1.4 million visitors and hosted over 2,350 publishers from 118 countries.
Between You and a Book – “بَینَکَ وَبَینَ الکِتاب”
This year’s event’s heart-touching theme, “Between You and a Book,” placed readers at the centre. It highlighted the book as a personal companion and a bridge to new ideas. Discussions throughout the fair explored how reading creates emotional and intellectual connections in an increasingly digital world. This focus on the intimate space “between” reader and text shaped author talks, workshops, and visual displays, giving the fair a unified and reflective identity.
Sharjah’s Worldwide Cultural reach: Where 206 Nations met
Visitors from 206 countries filled the halls, reinforcing SIBF’s status as one of the world’s largest cultural gatherings. Beyond its global scale, the fair continued to strengthen Sharjah’s strategic role in international publishing.
Sharjah leads the World in Publishing rights deals
For the fifth consecutive year, SIBF retained recognition as the world’s largest marketplace for buying and selling publishing rights, supported by a powerful professional ecosystem and robust rights infrastructure.
A Forum for innovation and Industry insight
Sharjah became the meeting point for publishing minds. Before the public fair opened, the 15th Sharjah Publishers Conference brought together more than 1,500 publishers and senior executives from over 100 countries.
A record 3,300+ rights meetings facilitated translation, co-publishing and distribution deals. Sessions examined the growing role of AI, the rise of digital-first models, and increasing interest in screen adaptations, reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a leading centre of publishing innovation.
A Cultural Mosaic of Voices, Media and Ideas
Across 1,200 events, the fair offered a lively blend of storytelling, performances, workshops, and author discussions. Young readers enjoyed creative activities, while adults attended talks, poetry sessions, and masterclasses.
The Cookery Corner, Pop-Up Academy, and Podcast Station drew strong crowds, and the rise of Japanese manga and anime attracted new youth audiences, broadening the fair’s cultural reach.
Where Greek and Arab Worlds Met
As Guest of Honour, Greece presented a rich cultural and literary showcase.
With 58 Greek publishers and around 600 titles, the pavilion offered theatre performances, readings, dialogues and heritage activities. Sessions also reflected on the centuries-old scholarly relationship between the Arab and Greek worlds, celebrating a shared history of learning and translation.
Voices that captivated the audience
SIBF 2025 welcomed global figures including Hollywood actor Will Smith, renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, physicist Carlo Rovelli, and Booker Prize-winning novelist Paul Lynch, each drawing large and enthusiastic audiences.
Cultural Personality of the Year
Egyptian writer and playwright Mohamed Salmawy was honoured as Cultural Personality of the Year for his outstanding contributions to Arabic literature.
Urdu Literature drew a growing audience at SIBF
Urdu literature attracted a strong and steady following at the fair, reflecting the UAE’s diverse readership and adding further depth to the event’s multilingual character. It was particularly striking to observe that several Emiratis not only understood Urdu but also spoke it, showing the language’s warm reception across communities.
Sarmad Khan Brings Urdu Literature to Life at Pakistan Pavilion
The fair’s engagement with Urdu literature was brought vividly to life by the vibrant and charismatic Mr. Sarmad Khan, whose passion for books extends far beyond his profession as an accountant. His stall, showcased under the banner of Urdu Books World at the Pakistan Pavilion, drew readers through its energy and thoughtful selection.
The visits of Pakistani authors Dr. Hina Javed, Ali Akbar Natiq, and Mubashar Khan further enriched the atmosphere, adding literary depth and drawing enthusiastic readers to the stall, making it one of the most engaging Urdu showcases at this year’s fair.
Inauguration of Pakistani Pavilion
Pakistani Pavilion was inaugurated by the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, H.E.
Mr. Hussain Muhammad, accompanied by Mr. Muhammad Saleh, Press Counsellor.
The presence of Pakistani journalists Sarfraz Ali, Ijaz Ahmad, Zareen Taj, Rana Munir, Hafiz Abdul Rauf, and myself (a London-based journalist of Pakistani origin) added further eminence to the occasion, underscoring the growing significance of Urdu literature at this year’s fair.
Echoes of Harappa in Modern Fiction
Addressing a session, Pakistani researcher and novelist Dr. Hina Jamshed shared how her creative work is deeply inspired by the ancient Harappan civilisation.
Living near its archaeological sites enabled her to imagine its people and daily lives, giving her stories a historical heartbeat.
She emphasised the importance of linking the past with the present and carrying those lessons into the future. According to her, understanding how ancient societies lived in balance with nature can guide modern efforts in areas such as sustainability and climate awareness.
The Fair that brought the World together through Books concluded with a powerful reminder that literature continues to unite communities, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire imagination. With its blend of cultural celebration, industry leadership, and innovative programming, SIBF 2025 reaffirmed Sharjah’s standing as a global capital of books, where stories from every corner of the world meet, and where the future of reading is continually shaped.
Rana Mahmood is a London-based journalist and columnist of Pakistani origin. He can be reached at: ranamahmood@hotmail.co.uk and on +44 7956 915244
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