ALC: 570 Publications Showcased at Almadinah Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo
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ALC: 570 Publications Showcased at Almadinah Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has concluded its first-ever participation at the Almadinah Book Fair, which was organized by the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The event’s third edition was held from July 30 to August 5 and was attended by more than 300 publishing houses from various countries around the world.

ALC’s pavilion at the fair offered visitors a collection of over 570 publications from its Kalima Project for Translation, Esdarat project and Basaer (Insights) series of research papers and studies, including 65 new titles, WAM said.

The ALC’s participation strengthened relationships with stakeholders in the publishing and specialized book fairs industry, in addition to highlighting its own initiatives and projects related to book publishing and translation.

Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, emphasized the center’s commitment to participating in book fairs across the region, given their role as prominent creative platforms that promote publishing and the book industry.

“Book fairs in Saudi Arabia embody the flourishing cultural scene in the Kingdom,” he said. “They provide an ideal opportunity for us at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center to strengthen relations with Saudi publishing and cultural industry stakeholders at the Arab and international levels, and to exchange inspiring ideas and visions that have the potential to develop this key industry.”



Yemen’s Historic Zabid Becomes Latest Casualty of Houthis

A view of the historic city of Zabid in the Hodeidah province. (Local media)
A view of the historic city of Zabid in the Hodeidah province. (Local media)
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Yemen’s Historic Zabid Becomes Latest Casualty of Houthis

A view of the historic city of Zabid in the Hodeidah province. (Local media)
A view of the historic city of Zabid in the Hodeidah province. (Local media)

Despite being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Yemeni city of Zabid is facing increased danger due to neglect of the Iran-backed Houthi militias, who run the historic town.

The Houthis have failed to protect and preserve all heritage sites in areas under their control, as seen with the damage to Old Sanaa’s architecture and the risk of further destruction and artifact trafficking.

Recently, heavy rains caused the northern part of the old market’s roof in Zabid, a city in western Hodeidah province, to collapse. Residents have closed off the area to prevent further damage and potential collapses.

Last week, residents of Zabid reported serious damage to the northern part of a historic corridor to local authorities and the Houthi-controlled Historic Cities Preservation Authority, but no significant action has been taken.

Residents have also asked UNESCO to step in and help save the city’s landmarks from being removed from the World Heritage List.

Four years ago, heavy rains caused several archaeological sites to collapse and damaged many homes in Zabid. Cultural activists have called on the UN to protect the city from further harm.

Zabid, which was Yemen’s capital in the 13th to 15th centuries, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993 but was moved to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2000 due to construction violations and damage to its historic sites.

The city was a major intellectual hub in the Islamic world, with 85 Islamic schools representing various religious and philosophical traditions.

Many of these schools still exist and house rare manuscripts and important texts. The city also features historic sites and symbols that highlight its former prominence in the region.

UNESCO plans to restore 400 historic homes in four Yemeni cities this year, with 100 homes in each city: Old Sanaa, Aden, Zabid, and Shibam Hadramawt, according to Khaled Salah, Director of UNESCO’s Gulf States and Yemen office.

Salah revealed discussions with the UN Office for Project Services about urgent sanitation upgrades in Old Sanaa. The outdated sewage system poses a risk of collapse due to unstable ground beneath the homes.

UNESCO is working to encourage donors to increase support for Yemen, focusing on expanding development projects and preserving cultural and historic sites.