Page 44 - MBRF PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

4/21/25, 10:30 AM MBRF organizes ‘Arab Reading Clubs Forum 2025’ in partnership with Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center - Middle East Business…
to discussing the shortlisted novels of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, of which we are
a proud sponsor. This remarkable accolade aims to recognize promising talents in the

contemporary Arabic literary landscape, enhancing their visibility and readership.”

His Excellency further stated: “The inspiring vision of the UAE’s wise leadership has
successfully positioned Arabic reading as a key priority in our society. Reading is now being
embraced as an integral facet of day-to-day life, especially among the youth and future

generations.”

H.E. Bin Tamim also noted that reading clubs and literary salons have long been a part of the
nation’s cultural fabric, highlighting the Al Multaqa Literary Salon, launched in 1999 as a

notable example. His Excellency stated that while these platforms differ in structure and
management, they all contribute to the promotion of reading in a positive and effective

manner. Some are led by individuals within the community, while others are managed by
official and national entities.

Furthermore, His Excellency praised the outstanding efforts of the Kalima Reading Club, which

represented ALC in hosting this event. The club boasts an extensive legacy, especially
regarding its Kalima Translation Project, which has facilitated 1,300 translations in 10
categories across 27 languages to date.

H.E. Bin Tamim remarked: “The Kalima Reading Club was established in 2018 as a community-

oriented cultural initiative aimed at serving society and enhancing the use of the Arabic
language. Today, the club continues to grow in membership, further expanding to include the

‘Kalima School Club,’ ‘Kalima University Club,’ ‘Kalima Employees Club,’ and many other reading
groups.”

The forum, organized into three stages, featured critical discussions that explored the artistic
and intellectual aspects of the selected literary works, aligning with the forum’s goals of

fostering a culture of collective reading and developing literary analysis skills. It also provided a
designated electronic platform for attendees to vote for the most outstanding novel based on

specific reading criteria.

The forum concluded with a set of recommendations emphasizing the importance of engaging
readers in the literary scene by introducing a parallel track to the judging panel’s evaluation,

thereby providing institutional visibility to the audience’s voice. The recommendations further
included the announcement of reader surveys and their selections, to be featured in IPAF

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