UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Book Fair finds a benefactor in Al Qasimi

Why would UNESCO’s participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair make the headlines of one of the leading English Dailies of UAE and the Gulf States- The Khaleej News? On October 31st, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, granted Palestine’s bid for full membership in the organization. In response, by the U.S., as expected, announced cutbacks UNESCO funding, leaving the organization short  $65 million USD for the end of the year budget. During this time, Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, called for an emergency suspension of activities for further review until the end of this year.

To the rescue of UNESCO came HH Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the third largest emirate in UAE, who supports UNESCO’s decision to grant Pakistan full membership. According to the Khaleej Times, a leading newspaper of the Gulf States based in Dubai, UNESCO’s participation in the book fair will now take place thanks to the patronage of Dr. Shaikh Sultan, showing his appreciation for the organization’s commitment to the preservation of education and culture worldwide, particularly in recognizing the rights of the Palestinians and its appreciation of the Arabic culture.

The Sharjah International Book Fair will go on as scheduled:16- 20 November 2011.

 

For more information, please visit:

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2011/November/theuae_November341.xml&section=theuae&col=

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/unesco_director_general_launches_emergency_fund_at_close_of_general_conference/?cHash=c9897a271a7a6ad6d4df76f72426a96e

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