Books and beyond: UAE entities highlight heritage, peace, knowledge at ADIBF 2025
5 May 2025 00:39
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Whether you're a history enthusiast, a peace advocate, or passionate about politics, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair offers a rich trove of knowledge across various fields. While the spotlight was on the thousands of books on display, experts from leading UAE institutions were also present to share valuable insights.Speaking to Aletihad at the fair, UAE institutions discussed their diverse roles in serving the community and their industries — from sustainable pearl farming and peacebuilding to literacy, political thought, and interfaith dialogue. They all have a common denominator: A shared commitment to culture, heritage, and innovation.Showcasing its sustainable process of cultivating pearls, the Abu Dhabi Pearls Centre is participating in the book fair in collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory.The centre, established in 2007, aims to revive the Gulf's traditional pearling culture and produce high-quality pearls, said Ayesha Al Hammadi, Unit Head at Abu Dhabi Pearls Centre. 'We use a local oyster species called Pinctada radiata and operate from November to April. Each season, we work with around 18,000 oysters, aiming to produce approximately 25,000 pearls annually,' Al Hammadi told Aletihad. ADIBF visitors who wished to explore global peace efforts would have found a wealth of information at the stand of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace.Dr. Al Fadhel Yahdih, Researcher at the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, emphasised their role in spreading the culture of peace globally.'Since 2014, we have hosted annual international conferences attended by about 1,000 influential thinkers, political leaders, and religious figures.'He highlighted key initiatives such as the Marrakesh Declaration (2016), which affirmed religious minority rights in Muslim countries, describing it as 'an unprecedented declaration, praised even by the late Pope Francis.'He also mentioned the "Hilf al-Fudul" and the "Comprehensive Citizenship," both launched to promote peaceful coexistence."This year, we are participating in the fair to showcase our initiatives to promote peace, and we will soon release an Encyclopaedia of Peace — a comprehensive multi-volume reference."Dr. Abbas Sadiq, Editor-in-Chief of the International Center for Strategic Studies, stressed the centre's consistent participation in the book fair, showcasing research in political science and international relations, as well as political thought in general. 'This output is published in the form of magazines, periodicals, and books. These periodicals contain studies, analytical articles, and future outlooks,' he said.In addition to regular publications, the centre also publishes timely books that 'reflect global transformations in security and political aspects, as well as domestic policies of different countries', Sadiq said, pointing to a newly released collection this year.Meanwhile, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library offered a packed lineup of workshops and book signings.Aida Al Sawad from the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, said, 'We use our presence here to introduce the public to the library's nine branches and the resources available through memberships—whether for individuals, children, seniors, or people of determination.''Our goal is to stay aligned with the latest developments in the knowledge and cultural industries, while enhancing public awareness of the services and initiatives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library,' she added. The Abrahamic Family House Centre made its debut at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair with a cultural pavilion designed to foster interfaith and intercultural understanding. Among the key highlights of the centre's participation are a session that shared the institution's mission to promote dialogue and coexistence and an interactive library that invited visitors to engage with live human stories and experiences. It also hosted dialogues that highlighted new voices contributing to intercultural conversations, and a panel of Emirati authors who reflected on how storytelling strengthens human connection.The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority enriched the fair with several heritage-themed programmes, including a session on the Nabati poetry, and a panel on of folk poetry in the UAE.
The sessions highlighted poetry's role in preserving dialects, documenting history, and highlighting customs.
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