Bodour Al Qasimi’s ‘The House of Wisdom’ Wins Prestigious BolognaRagazzi

Photo: Instagram/@bodouralqasimi

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the founder of Kalimat Group, recently led a special reading session for her new book, The House of Wisdom. This book is written for young readers aged nine and above and tells the story of one of the most famous libraries in history.

The House of Wisdom has been honored with the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award in the fiction category at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) in Italy. This award is given to books that stand out because of their rich content and beautiful artistic design. It also recognizes books that bring fresh ideas to children’s literature and helps develop a love for reading.

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A Journey Through History

Sheikha Bodour’s book takes readers back in time to the Islamic Golden Age. It tells the story of the House of Wisdom, also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad. This remarkable institution was founded by Caliph Harun Al-Rashid and became a center of learning. It gathered scholars from different backgrounds and helped advance fields like medicine, engineering, and astronomy. However, this great library was later destroyed by Hulagu Khan, leader of the Mongol Empire.

The book is illustrated by Majid Zakeri and uses an engaging storytelling style to highlight the importance of knowledge. It encourages children to think deeply, learn about science, and believe in their ability to contribute to the world’s progress.

A Message of Inspiration

After receiving the BolognaRagazzi Award, Sheikha Bodour shared her thoughts on why this book is so important. She explained, “The House of Wisdom takes readers on a meaningful journey into Arab and Islamic history. It reminds us of the great achievements of our ancestors and how they shaped the world. Through this book, we want to celebrate the contributions of Arab and Muslim scholars who laid the foundation for many of the discoveries we benefit from today.”

She also added, “In today’s fast-changing world, it is easy to forget where progress comes from. Every invention and idea has roots in the efforts of people from the past. Our youth must understand their heritage so they can build a better future. In Sharjah, we see the House of Wisdom as a modern version of the famous Baghdad library—a place where learning and curiosity come together.”

A Special Reading Session in Sharjah

To celebrate the book’s success, Kalimat Group organized a reading session in Sharjah, where Sheikha Bodour spoke with children and young readers. She explained how the original House of Wisdom in Baghdad welcomed scholars from many different backgrounds, including Arabic, Persian, Aramaic, and Hebrew speakers. She also shared an interesting historical fact about Caliph Al-Mamun, who valued knowledge so much that he paid translators with gold, equal to the weight of the books they translated.

Cultural Program and Creative Workshops

The reading session was part of a four-day cultural program that started on February 20, 2025. The event was held in collaboration with the House of Wisdom in Sharjah and included creative workshops and an art exhibition.

French artist Benjamin Bené and Moroccan calligrapher Marouane Aouinat led workshops on February 21 and 22. Forty students from Rubu’ Qarn, including girls from Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah and boys from Sharjah Youth, participated in these workshops. They created artworks inspired by the themes of The House of Wisdom. The students’ creations were displayed in an exhibition that opened on February 23 and will run until February 27 at the House of Wisdom.

Encouraging a Love for Reading

The House of Wisdom is designed to improve reading skills and encourage critical thinking in young readers. It helps them explore history and understand the vital contributions made by Arab scholars. The book is available in both Arabic and English and can be purchased at the House of Wisdom bookstore or through the Kalimat Group website.