Children's author honoured at Sharjah global book fair

Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation yesterday hosted a book-signing ceremony for Jordanian author Luma Azar, one of the beneficiaries of its "Oktub" programme for authors.

The ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 28th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair during which the Foundation showcased some of its diverse programmes that seek to enhance the knowledge capabilities of the Arab world.

Ali Al Shaali, director of publishing at the Foundation, said: "We honour Luma Azar for her great achievement that will add value to the Arab library, more specifically to children's literature.

"The Foundation's Oktub programme aims to nurture talented authors in the Arab world by helping them realise their dreams of publishing inspired works."

Holistic objective

Al Shaali continued: "It is in line with the Foundation's holistic objective to support intellectual output and acquisition through literary production."

Through the Oktub programme, the Foundation strives to achieve a dual target of encouraging readership and strengthening the publishing industry in the Arab world.

Luma — who is a mother of three — said that she held a personal belief that children who love, accept and value themselves are children who lead "a happy and confident life, embellished with a desire to learn, innovate and achieve."

Luma said that she draws her inspiration from her personal experience and dedication in encouraging children to read.

Her talent, special background and the scarcity of books in Arabic are factors that prompted her to venture into writing.