Sharjah International Book Fair Selects Muhammad Sabir Arab as ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’

Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has announced that Dr. Muhammad Sabir Arab, Egypt's Former Minister of Culture, will be its Cultural Personality of the Year. The selection of the Arab luminary for the 36th edition of the fair - which runs from November 1-11 at Expo Centre Sharjah - was made in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Arabic cultural and academic life.

A renowned proponent of Arabic culture, Dr. Muhammad Sabir Arab is noted for combining history, literature and intellect in his analysis and critique of Arab issues. He has been instrumental in developing Egypt’s cultural sphere and in enhancing the country’s relations with influential cultural entities, based on his insightful vision that calls to preserve and support Arab heritage when facing contemporary challenges.

“Dr. Muhammad Sabir Arab is an inspiring cultural personality who enjoys a very high regard in the Arabic cultural arena. His career has seen him support intellectuals, encourage researchers and contribute to building a generation of educated people. Committed to engaging with Sharjah’s cultural and intellectual project, he is a regular participant at SIBF,” said HE Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, the organisers of SIBF.

Al ِAmeri underscored that the selection of Dr. Arab as the Cultural Personality of the Year was in honour of his long and distinguished career, as well as his impressive list of achievements as Egypt's Minster of Education and leader of its cultural institutions. He said it was also made in recognition of his invaluable contribution in dozens of scientific researches and his publication of books that have enriched the Arabic library and formed an invaluable addition to the cultural milieu.

Aside from serving as Minister of Culture in three consecutive cabinets, Dr. Arab held many important non-ministerial positions in Egypt, most notably; Chairman of the National Library and Archives, Member of the National Council of Women, Member of Law Committee at the Supreme Council of Culture, Member of the Committee tasked with writing the history of the Arab nation by the Arab League and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Modern Egypt Magazine, which is published by Egyptian Books Publishing.

Currently, Dr. Arab is professor of modern Arab history at Al Azhar University in Egypt, where he has held numerous academic positions since 1974, and professor at the Arabian Researches and Studies Institute of the Arab League. He worked as a professor at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman from 1986 to 1991, was a visiting professor at the Emirates University in 1994 and a postgraduate professor at Ain Shams University for the years 1994-1999.

Muhammed Sabir Arab has published dozens of books, including ‘The National Movement in Egypt 1908-1914,’ ‘Modern Arab History,’ ‘Egypt’s Archives in the 20th Century,’ ‘The Political Thoughts of Abbas Al Aqqad’ and ‘Sheikh Zayed’s Role in Establishing the GCC,’ as well as researches such as ‘The Role of Arab Culture in Enhancing Arab-Arab Relations’ and ‘Trade in the Arabian Gulf under the Portuguese Occupation.’