Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi reimagines centuries-old classic for children

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the chairwoman of the Sharjah Book Authority, has launched a children's book inspired by the classic "Conference of the Birds," a work by 12th-century Persian poet Farid Al Din Attar. The bilingual book, in Arabic and English, was unveiled at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair and illustrated by Noushin Sadeghian.

Aimed at children aged 8 to 12, the story follows a group of birds on a journey to save their environment from destruction, drawing inspiration from the original tale while emphasizing contemporary themes like environmental protection. The birds, guided by a wise hoopoe, travel through seven valleys towards Mt Qaf, where they hope to find the mythical Simorgh, a bird believed to hold the answers they seek.

The book's focus on humanity's relationship with nature and the importance of collective action sets it apart from Attar's original allegorical exploration of spiritual enlightenment. The launch of the book attracted a large audience at the book fair, with Sheikha Bodour signing copies for readers during an event that lasted over two hours.

The publication is part of Sheikha Bodour's literary projects, which include her 2025 BolognaRagazzi Award-winning children's book "House of Wisdom" and "Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha," which explores the possibility that ancient Mleiha was ruled by a succession of queens and examines identity, heritage, and self-discovery.

Sheikha Bodour's work has been recognized internationally, including her appointment as a Unesco goodwill ambassador for education and book culture and as the first Arab woman president of the International Publishers Association. As the founder and chief executive of Kalimat Group, she has significantly contributed to the development of the UAE's publishing industry, particularly in children's literature.