House of Wisdom explores cultural cooperation and knowledge exchange with Malaysian institutions During their participation at the Selangor International Book Fair, HoW joined discussions on strengthening reading and creativity among children and young people

Selangor, December 3, 2025

House of Wisdom (HoW) marked its participation at the 4th Selangor International Book Fair 2025 with a series of engagements that highlighted its role in fostering cultural exchange and advancing regional collaboration. The fair, which runs until 7 December, opened in the presence of His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Selangor, who honored HoW among several institutions in recognition of its role in contributing to the book industry, reading promotion, and children’s and young adult literature.

As part of its programme, the HoW team visited the Selangor Public Library Corporation, where they were welcomed by Director Mastura Muhamad. Discussions focused on expanding cultural and knowledge cooperation, building on the shared values and perspectives that connect the UAE and Malaysia. The team also toured the library’s facilities and reviewed its community-focused services.

During the visit, HoW presented the library with a selection of award-winning Arabic books. Mastura Muhamad praised her team’s earlier visit to HoW, noting its modern facilities, and confirmed that several features, including the Ladies Diwan, will be integrated into the library’s ongoing expansion plans.

Libraries as platforms for creativity and change
At the Selangor International Forum, organised by the Selangor Public Library Corporation on the sidelines of the fair, Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of HoW, participated in two panel discussions: “Books for the Future: Children’s Content & Global Connection” and “Where Reading Sparks Ideas, and Libraries Spark  Changes”. Moderated by H.E. Dato’ Ahmad Redza Ahmad Khairuddin, President of the Malaysian Board on Books for Young People (MBBY), the sessions brought together specialists in library development and children’s and young adult literature from Malaysia, Korea and China.

Al Aqroubi highlighted the evolving role of libraries, describing them as dynamic cultural spaces that ignite ideas and support innovation, particularly among young people. She emphasised the importance of initiatives that cultivate reading habits and creative thinking, calling on libraries to integrate modern technologies and AI tools to enhance storytelling in response to the rapid rise of digital content.

She noted that providing engaging and interactive reading environments has become a core responsibility for contemporary libraries, citing HoW’s own programmes including book clubs, storytelling sessions, specialised workshops, cultural exhibitions, and digital fabrication and innovation labs, as examples of how libraries can amplify creativity and deliver meaningful learning experiences.

Al Aqroubi also underscored the power of stories to connect children across cultures, saying they can build understanding, empathy, and a shared sense of belonging between a child in Sharjah and another in Kuala Lumpur. She linked this to Sharjah’s long-standing cultural outlook, referencing HoW’s annual “Enchanted Gardens”, where outdoor spaces are transformed into themed worlds inspired by global stories such as Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and, this year, The Little Prince.

She concluded by reaffirming the enduring value of books in the age of artificial intelligence, stressing that the relationship between books and technology is complementary. While technology can stimulate the mind, she said, it cannot replace the emotional and imaginative depth of stories. Books nurture empathy, expand imagination, and strengthen critical thinking among children and young people, keeping them connected to the world around them.

HoW’s participation reflects its commitment to advancing cultural cooperation with international institutions and reinforcing the role of libraries as centres of creativity and knowledge in contemporary society. It aligns with Sharjah’s broader cultural project, which positions knowledge as a bridge for communication and a gateway to greater openness to the world.

– ENDS –