Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) on Wednesday launched “the region’s largest” audiobook platform called Masmoou.com.
The platform was launched through MBRF’s educational arm, Qindeel Educational. It was developed following directives from MBRF chairman Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The platform offers a wide variety of e-books, audio content and online material covering various subjects and topics, with the aim to spread knowledge.
The launch was announced at a press conference on Wednesday attended by Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, and Saif Al Mansouri, director-general of MBRF Holding, in addition to representatives from the platform’s partners: Al Rawi Media, Kitab Sawti Co., Soundless Co., Qitaf Int. Co., Machina Communications Co., Rodian Co., and Booklava Ventures.
In its first phase, the flagship project will offer Arabic audiobooks, with content in foreign languages to be added at a later stage. It will also work to encourage production of audiobooks, bringing together cultural efforts under one roof. It also aims to preserve and promote the Arabic language.
Bin Huwaireb said: “In line with the innovative vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, MBRF has, since its inception, strived to launch state-of-the-art initiatives that work to push the boundaries of knowledge into new horizons. We work to spread a culture of knowledge and education among all segments of society.”
He added: “Masmoou.com is a major milestone in culture and knowledge development. It complements classic publication schemes to produce and publish a wide array of high-quality audiobooks, using cutting-edge technology. This ultimately falls under our main objective: to spread culture and knowledge across the community.”
Masmoou.com will also enable people with visual impairments to access a world of knowledge that caters to their needs and requirements. The platform will bring together books of different topics and orientations, including for family and children, and will constantly expand to further genres. It will closely cooperate with several publishing houses to expand its database, and will also encompass short versions of Qindeel’s ‘A Book in Minutes’ series, along with various MBRF publications.
Among other features, the platform will incorporate an online payment portal, enabling download via the website or the app. In addition, companies, enterprises, universities, and publishing houses can integrate their own audiobook libraries to Masmoou.com. The platform will also play a role in supporting talented Arab writers.
