Muscat: The organisers of the Riyadh Book Fair have banned the book Al Estbdad (The Tyranny) written in Arabic language. The book has been penned by Grand Mufti of the Sultanate, Shaikh Ahmad Al Khalili.
Mohammad Bin Sulaiman Al Rashidi, a publisher and owner of the Muscat library, said that the Riyadh International Book Fair, which opens on March 4, would continue till March 14.
Al Rashdi said that he has received a request from the management of the fair and the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman to specify the list of books that would be showcased at the exhibition.
Among the books, Al Estbdad, which has been released by the Grand Mufti of Oman, has become one of best selling books in Oman, said Al Rashidi. Though the book has been in demand, it would not be sent to Riyadh due to curbs. The book discusses forms of tyranny and how to confront them.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Oman International book fair, that kicked off on Wednesday, witnessed a footfall on the third day and some stalls even ran out of stocks.
The organisers told Gulf News that there was a huge demand for local books, particularly the Oman Encyclopedia.
The Oman Encyclopaedia consists of 11 volumes of about 4,000 entries arranged alphabetically. It has nine major sections: namely ‘Oman Geography, Media, Economy, History and Writing, Oman Ancient History, Culture and Society, Animal Kingdom, Vegetable Kingdom and Institutions. The entries are depicted by maps, images, natural and historical drawings.
More than 570 local and international publishing houses are participating in the fair this year as against 500 last year.
Spread over four halls named Farahee Di Hall, All Otbi Hall, Ibn Duraid Hall and Ali Bin Majid Hall, it has 777 pavilions.
The fair is accompanied with cultural events, theatre performances, plays, workshops in photography, intelligent games and theatre performances for children in addition to the presence of cartoon characters.
