Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Islamic Publishing House - IPH Kerala in International Book Exhibition, Riyadh
More than 250,000 books from 650 publishing houses in 27 countries will be on display at the international book exhibition that opens in Riyadh tomorrow.
Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, who inspected arrangements for the exhibit yesterday, said this year's fair would be far better than previous ones.
"We welcome freedom of expression as long as it does not contradict our religion, values and morals ... Saudi Arabia is open to new thoughts and ideas," he said, adding that books play an important part in the Kingdom's culture.
Khoja said the exhibition offers a good opportunity for Saudi and foreign intellectuals to exchange ideas through seminars and lectures. "It would help us understand the views and cultures of others as well as cultural and intellectual developments in other parts of the world," the minister said.
Khoja said the exhibition has been organized with an aim to amend past mistakes and shortcomings. "We have made a lot of improvements," he said.
Fourteen historians will be honored during the event, which is to be held in an exhibition center on King Abdullah Road. Wednesday and Thursday have been allocated for Brazilian programs.
"We have not prevented any publishing house from attending the exhibition," said Abdul Aziz Al-Subail, undersecretary at the Ministry for Cultural Affairs. However, Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza, assistant undersecretary for internal information, said books attacking Islam and Saudi Arabia would not be allowed.
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice will have an office at the venue. The exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Islamic Publishing House (IPH) from India is one of the book houses attending the show.
"We are taking part in this international exhibition for the first time," said T.K. Farook, director of IPH, the largest Islamic publishing house in South India, with more than 535 titles including translations of major works in Arabic, English and Urdu. "IPH has been playing a big role in the propagation of the Islamic message in Kerala," he said.
Farook hoped IPH's pavilion would attract a large number of Keralites working in the Kingdom.
Works published by IPH include Tafheem Al-Qur'an, a commentary of the Qur'an by Abul Aala Moudoodi, Undercurrents of Indian Culture, Islamic Encyclopedia, and the Complete History of Palestine.
"We welcome freedom of expression as long as it does not contradict our religion, values and morals ... Saudi Arabia is open to new thoughts and ideas," he said, adding that books play an important part in the Kingdom's culture.
Khoja said the exhibition offers a good opportunity for Saudi and foreign intellectuals to exchange ideas through seminars and lectures. "It would help us understand the views and cultures of others as well as cultural and intellectual developments in other parts of the world," the minister said.
Khoja said the exhibition has been organized with an aim to amend past mistakes and shortcomings. "We have made a lot of improvements," he said.
Fourteen historians will be honored during the event, which is to be held in an exhibition center on King Abdullah Road. Wednesday and Thursday have been allocated for Brazilian programs.
"We have not prevented any publishing house from attending the exhibition," said Abdul Aziz Al-Subail, undersecretary at the Ministry for Cultural Affairs. However, Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza, assistant undersecretary for internal information, said books attacking Islam and Saudi Arabia would not be allowed.
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice will have an office at the venue. The exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Islamic Publishing House (IPH) from India is one of the book houses attending the show.
"We are taking part in this international exhibition for the first time," said T.K. Farook, director of IPH, the largest Islamic publishing house in South India, with more than 535 titles including translations of major works in Arabic, English and Urdu. "IPH has been playing a big role in the propagation of the Islamic message in Kerala," he said.
Farook hoped IPH's pavilion would attract a large number of Keralites working in the Kingdom.
Works published by IPH include Tafheem Al-Qur'an, a commentary of the Qur'an by Abul Aala Moudoodi, Undercurrents of Indian Culture, Islamic Encyclopedia, and the Complete History of Palestine.
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