Sharjah24: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated on Wednesday, the 13th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), which is organized by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) from 11 to 22 May, at the Expo Center Sharjah.

His Highness was received upon his arrival by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Ruler's Office; Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, and a number of heads of local departments, senior officials, writers, publishers, and representatives of the media.
After cutting the opening tape, His Highness watched a singing performance by a group of Sharjah children and toured the various corridors of the festival. His Highness was acquainted with the various activities and events offered by the festival for children, as well as the pavilions of the educational and cultural entities participating in the festival.
Sharjah Ruler accompanied by two children, Mohammed Sami Saif Al Haj and Fatima Ahmed Obaid Sandal during his tour, as he listened to detailed explanations of the participation of the authorities in the festival.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah visited the pavilion of the Emirates Schools Establishment, Sharjah Education Council, Sharjah Private Education Authority, and the Ministry of Education, where His Highness was acquainted with means and tools of teaching children, in addition to the various educational publications provided by authorities. 
His Highness also visited a number of pavilions of government institutions working in the field of publishing, support, care and education of children. His Highness was briefed on the pavilion of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi), Sharjah Police General Command, Department of Culture, Kalimat Group, Sharjah Heritage Institute, Department of Statistics and Community Development, Health Education Department and the Child Safety Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, UAE Board on Books for Young People , Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, as well as a number of pavilions. 
His Highness reviewed a number of activities dedicated to developing children's skills in various scientific and creative fields.

Ruler of Sharjah concluded his tour by visiting the Sharjah Children's Book Illustrations Exhibition, where His Highness was introduced to the exhibition's drawings by participants from the United Arab Emirates and various countries of the world.