SBA

A lifelong Love of Learning

SBA’s vision and purpose are defined by the Ruler of Sharjah, a scholar, author, and an avid reader. We want future generations to grow up with his passion for books and culture. His mission to create a nation of readers is the driving force behind everything we do.

Supporting the Exchange of
Knowledge and Culture

Our mission is to connect with the
world using books as a medium.

A Message from Our Chairperson

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is an integral part of Sharjah’s cultural and educational mission. We believe that books and reading play a crucial role in cultivating a society that thrives on knowledge. Through a variety of global and local initiatives, the SBA is supporting the development of publishing in the UAE and the Arab region, building a cultural bridge that connects us to the rest of the world, and creating generations of readers who think critically. The SBA will continue to advance Sharjah’s mission to become a truly global cultural hub with passion and determination. We are committed to empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to reach their full potential through the power of reading.

Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, has played a significant role in establishing a global presence for SBA through its initiatives and programmes designed to boost the Arab book industry while also helping preserve Arab culture and language. Since its inception in 2014, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri has been at the helm of SBA – the entity that organises the annual Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). SBA’s flagship initiative, the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) is the world’s.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam

An ardent Emirati poet and researcher, Abdulaziz serves as the Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage, in addition to being the Regional Director of International Organization of Folk Art (IOV), Board Member ICCROM, Founder of Kalamon Publishing, Member of Editorial Board-Mozoun magazine and Heritage Supervisor of Department of Culture. Popularly known as the ‘Fairy Tale Man’, Abdulaziz obtained his PhD from the Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco. He has been honored with several awards such as the Arab Heritage Personality Award, GCC Creators Award, Al Owais Creativity Award, Cultural Personality of the year Award, and Arab Heritage Supporter Award over the years

His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed AlOwais

A founding member of the Arab Authority for Theater, H.E. is the vice chairman of the Higher Committee for Human Resources, in addition to being the chairman of the Executive Committee of His Highness, a member of the National Media Council and board member of the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities. Having three collections of poetry, H.E. Abdullah Mohammed AlOwais holds a B.A. degree in Technology Management from the University College of New England, USA. Over the years, he has headed, and has been a member of acclaimed initiatives such as ‘Establishing 1000 Poetry Houses in the Arab World’, Sharjah Heritage Days, Documentation & Research in Sharjah, Heart of Sharjah, Emirates Appreciation Award for Sciences, Arts and

Rashid Al Kous

With over two decades of experience in the cultural sector, particularly in the publishing industry, Rashid Al Kous has been serving as the Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting publishers in the UAE. He began his professional career in 1998 with the Sharjah government, donning various pivotal roles in various cultural initiatives. His core expertise lies in formulating goals, effective strategic planning, fostering strong networking within the industry regionally and in the Arab world. He is an active figure across various local, Arab and international book fairs. Executive Director, Emirates Publishers Association (EPA)

John R. Ingram

Mr. Ingram joined Ingram Industries Inc. in 1986, serving early in his career as the Assistant Treasurer and also as President of Tennessee Book Company (which became part of Ingram Content Group in 2009). He is currently serving as the Chairman of Ingram Industries Inc., and is a member of the Board of Trust for Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Chair of the Tennessee Advisory Board of Western Governors University and Tennessee Business Leadership Council (TBLC), Vice Chair of the Nashville’s Agenda Steering Committee and member of the Board of Trust for Montgomery Bell Academy. Mr. Ingram is a graduate of Princeton University, with a B.A. Degree in English. He received his

Marwa Obaid Rashid Al Aqroubi

Marwa Obaid Rashid Al Aqroubi is a leading figure in the cultural sector in the UAE, who has set a gratifying track record in the publishing and writing sector, especially in children’s books. Renowned for spearheading the ‘Sharjah World Book Capital’ 2019 initiative, Marwa serves as an Executive Director at the House of Wisdom, Sharjah. Furthermore, she is also the President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), and is known for contributing towards the launch of the “Read, Dream, Create” initiative and the “Kan Yama Kan” initiative, both of which aim to promote reading among children globally. She has also actively contributed towards the initiative

At SBA, we are proud to contribute to both Sharjah and the U.A.E.’s collective passion to make books and reading available to all. Together, we will build a knowledge-based society and economy through the free exchange of ideas and culture with the world.

Books are in Our DNA