Sharjah24 : The eighth session of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) Al-Warraqin Festival for Used Books will begin tomorrow, from February 1 to 4, 2023, in Palm Garden, on the banks of Khalid Lake in Sharjah, with the participation of public benefit associations, government and private agencies and schools, universities, diplomatic missions, and the institutions and groups of society as well as its individuals.

Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), urged everyone to attend the festival, buy valuable books, and establish private libraries at very symbolic prices, noting that the festival's proceeds will always go to help people with disabilities.
"Sharjah's cultural approach, founded and enhanced by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, strives to protect culture, stimulate reading, and make book acquisition easier," she says.
She said that the eighth session of the event was planned to coincide with the UAE's "Year of Sustainability," as the city prioritises adhering to sustainability principles in whatever it does.
Volunteers from a variety of educational institutions, community organisations, and public service organisations went above and beyond in their preparations for the event, earning Sheikha Jamilah's commendation. Since its inception in 2006, the event has grown in size and appeal.

She went on to say that the name "warraqin" itself harkens back to the Abbasid era, when the job of a "warraqin" included not only copying, editing, and publishing books, but also binding, gilding, and selling paper, pens, and inks; in other words, all the tasks that libraries and publishing houses do today, as well as printing and distributing books, paper, and the necessary writing tools.
Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Police General Command, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Islamic Bank, the main sponsors, Sharjah National Oil Corporation, Fast Building Contracting Company, and the media sponsors, Remal International Advertising and Site Global, as well as all contributors and volunteers, whether individuals or institutions, were thanked by the city's director.