Sharjah Ruler opens the 32nd edition of Sharjah International Book Fair

Shaikh Sultan made these remarks as he delivered a speech today during the opening ceremony of the 32^nd session of the Sharjah International Book Fair at the Sharjah Expo Centre, organised by the Department of Culture and Information, in the presence of Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Shaikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

During the opening of the ten-day international book fair, which is held annually in Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan said that the UAE, will celebrate the 42^nd anniversary of its foundation, in just a few days, a short period in the life of its people. Thanks to Allah and the hard work of its leaders, as well as efforts from its people, the UAE has been able to reach this level of cultural progress with the aim of the development of all humans, of both the mind and spirit.

He added that “we cannot say that we did not face difficulties in that march, but many of them, including both international and domestic issues, were faced by creative work and enlightened thinking.”

Shaikh Sultan said that the UAE’s leadership and people stood against the causes of discord in the face of what has recently been brought home to the UAE by parties which go against enlightened thinking and replace it with violence and regressionism, adding, “I want to deliver a speech to intellectuals in the UAE, to tell you that you embody the eternal freedom, which is the freedom to judge things, and that you have a mind that reveals more lies and supports rational truth, so you should perform your mission to enlighten the intellect and aid the dissemination of culture.