RABAT, 29th April, 2025 (WAM) -- As part of Sharjah's Guest of Honour participation at the 30th Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair, House of Wisdom concluded its cultural showcase with a tribute to the Islamic tradition of travel literature, spotlighting the legacies of Ahmad Ibn Majid and Ibn Battuta.
The exhibition drew notable visitors including Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, and Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority. Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of House of Wisdom, guided the dignitaries through the display, which celebrated Arab contributions to maritime navigation and travelogues.
The booth also welcomed Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, and Aawatif Hayar, Moroccan Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and the Family.
Al Aqroubi described Morocco as "a timeless crossroads of Arab-Islamic heritage," and said the participation reinforced Sharjah's cultural commitment, first recognised through its designation as UNESCO World Book Capital in 2019, ahead of Rabat's designation in 2026.
A key session, Chapters of Islamic Art: Travelogues, featured Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and Sheikha Al Mutairi of Juma Al Majid Center. They explored the motivations behind Muslim travel and the enduring influence of early explorers.
House of Wisdom also showcased rare manuscripts and books, including The Verses of Ibn Majid, a poetic maritime anthology, and Memorandum for Historians on the Innocence of Ibn Majid, authored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, which refutes claims of Ibn Majid's involvement with Portuguese colonial expansion.
The display featured Ibn Battuta's seminal work, A Masterpiece to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling, first printed in 1933 and translated into multiple languages. Visitors were invited to explore the ongoing Chapters of Islamic Art exhibition in Sharjah, running until 5th July, through an interactive virtual tour.
House of Wisdom's participation underscores Sharjah's efforts to strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote Arab and Islamic heritage globally, using travel literature as a bridge for civilisational dialogue.
