Sharjah: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the 31st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) on Tuesday morning.
Shaikh Mohammad was accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, minister for cabinet affairs, as he toured the book fair and visited several different stalls.
Shaikh Mohammad was received by Shaikha Budoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chairperson of the Emirates Publishers Association, and Ahmad Mohammad Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with a number of SIBF officials.
The book fair also saw the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai launching two inspirational books on overcoming disabilities.
The authors of both books, Zainab Abdul Hameed Al Teneiji and Mohammad Rashid Al Ghafli, are members of the Al Kayt Programme of CDA that aims to empower people with disabilities to take on meaningful employment or pursue career choices.
“These books are based on real life success stories of two Al Kayt members, and highlight their determination and persistence to overcome disability to achieve solid personal accomplishments,” said Ahmad Al Muhairi, CEO of the Programmes and Social services sector.
Zainab is currently employed at Paris Gallery. Her book titled ‘Colours of Life’ speaks about her challenging struggle with autism and her mother’s efforts to help her integrate into society.
Al Ghafli, who is currently working with CDA, penned his reflections on overcoming disability and having a balanced personal and professional life in his book Another Taste of Life.
