{
  "id": 1429098,
  "title": "Qatar attends Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/qatar-attends-istanbul-international-arabic-book-fair",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T05:56:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/17/08/2026/qatar-attends-istanbul-international-arabic-book-fair"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ankara, Turkey - Qatar is taking part in the 11th International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, which commenced on Saturday and will run until August 23. The theme for this year's event is \"The Story Continues,\" and it draws over 300 publishing houses from more than 30 countries.\n\nThe Ministry of Culture of Qatar has set up an impressive and comprehensive booth, demonstrating their dedication to promoting publication and knowledge, and showcasing Qatari intellectual contributions in literature, poetry, thought, and the arts. This participation also aims to bolster Qatar's cultural presence in Arab forums.\n\nSyria is attending the fair as a guest of honor, alongside Algeria, Oman, Morocco, Kuwait, and representatives from international civil society organizations and prominent figures in culture, art, and politics. The fair's organizer, Mehdi Al Jumaili, emphasized that the event is not merely about book displays or sales, but also a platform for discussing issues affecting the Islamic nation.\n\nDr. Yasin Aktay, a former advisor to the Turkish president, remarked that the fair's theme symbolizes a unified nation, with the hope that it will strengthen people-to-people connections across the Islamic world. Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhyiddin Al Qaradaghi, Secretary General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, called for prioritizing the Palestinian issue and providing aid to Gaza through all feasible means.\n\nAl Qaradaghi underscored the crucial role of reading in people's lives and stressed the need to organize more events, contests, and activities related to reading, translation, and supporting publishing houses. The fair, the largest of its kind outside the Arab world, aims to become the primary venue for publishing and academic culture enthusiasts. It provides a space for students, journalists, researchers, and individuals interested in the Arabic language to gather and exchange ideas.",
  "summary": "<p>Ankara: Qatar represented by the Ministry of Culture is participating in the 11th International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair kicked off in Turkiye on Saturday.</p> <p>Running until August 23, the event is held under the theme “The Story Continues”, bringing together over 300 publishing houses from over 30 countries.</p> <p>The Ministry of Culture is participating with a phenomenal and rich booth,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Qatar participates in 11th Istanbul Arabic Book Fair",
    "Fair runs until August 23 with \"The Story Continues\" theme",
    "Syria attends as guest of honor alongside 5 other countries"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Qatar's comprehensive booth at the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair bolsters its cultural presence in Arab forums and showcases its intellectual contributions in literature, poetry, thought, and the arts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}