HH Dr. Tariq Sultan Bin Khadim, Member of Sharjah Executive Council, Chairman of the Directorate of Human Resources, congratulated HE Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, for naming Sharjah the World Book Capital for the year 2019 by UNESCO.
He stressed that this selection is a mere interpretation of the wise vision of HE the Ruler of Sharjah, that building humans by providing a proper educational and cultural base, is the greatest investment to build countries which rise thanks to the efforts of their nationals. He also praised the sincere efforts of His Excellency over four decades through a long journey of continuous intellectual and educational accomplishments of Sharjah, which enabled the Emirate to receive several titles and record honourable achievements on both regional and international levels.
He said that this title is a pride for the cultural status of the UAE locally and internationally, and  crowns all the achievements of the Emirate of Sharjah for the past 40 years, as it became the land of culture and the beacon of science and knowledge, a noble humanitarian mission to combine the world’s cultures and create a convergence of civilisation and knowledge, by instilling the value of reading, the love for books and promoting the knowledge culture given that it is considered an essential means for the convergence of civilisation and knowledge among all peoples in the world.
He concluded by saying: “We all hold this title as a medal of honour in which we take pride. We should all follow the lead of such Ruler and father who valued the books, and we call everyone to read, as the minds that read grow, think and innovate”.