The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) organized a special series of recreational and educational events and workshops throughout the month of August, which saw remarkable engagement with the participation of about 500 students and visitors of all ages and all segments of society. This was motivated by its strategic vision to ignite passion for knowledge and foster reading, research, and creativity among all groups of society.
In honor of Emirati Women’s Day, MBRL presented the “Spirit of the Place” event with Nujoom Al Ghanem, an Emirati poet, artist, and film director, as well as Nadia Abdul Razaq, an Emirati lawyer and prominent member of the private sector who established her own business. A panel discussion led by Emirati journalist Alia Bujsaim served as the event’s opening act.
Al Ghanem emphasized her accomplishments on a global scale, her expertise in the worlds of art and film, and the biggest obstacles she has encountered while working in this industry during the session. She also discussed her effective efforts to dispel gender stereotypes in Emirati society. Emirati attorney Nadia Abdul Razaq described her experiences working in the UAE courts, taking on a position that was previously only open to men, overcoming all the obstacles in her path, and ultimately succeeding in starting her own business.
A select group of Emirati poets participated in the “Poetry Hour,” a poetry reading event that MBRL arranged among other things. Participants recited a variety of poems, including ones that were descriptive, about love, praise, pride, and emotional discovery, to the soothing sounds of the oud.
Additionally, under the direction of author Fatima Al Mazrouei, the library arranged the “Narrative Writing” class for kids, which concentrated on outlining the basics of story writing. The programme also included an introduction to stories, their types, their beginnings as literary genres, and the fundamental components—conflict, setting (time and place), character, theme, and plot—that comprise stories. On day two, participants took their first steps into the world of story writing as the workshop clarified methods for structuring a story and provided opportunities for some actual application.
Visitors and students who took part in these activities commended the important role that MBRL played in fostering the cultural scene and movement as well as the high-quality learning opportunities it provides because of its distinctive content that caters to all societal groups. They also praised the library’s efforts to offer the most recent information and skills, highlighting their desire to closely monitor the calendar of events and sign up for seminars that interest them.
These activities are a part of the MBRL’s year-round strategy to promote reading and research, assist gifted and creative individuals in all fields, and draw people from all facets of society. This is especially true given that they are an integral part of the cultural and artistic movement, which is seen as a key component in advancing civilization and society towards further advancement and development.