SHARJAH: H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah, has granted AED 2 million in support of publishing houses participating in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival. He has also ordered that the emirate's public libraries, children and youth centres as well as cultural institutions be provided with books.

Sheikh Sultan said it is important to instill the love of reading among children and youngsters, which would become a habit they will carry on throughout their lives. The statements were made by the Ruler of Sharjah as he visited the fifth edition of Sharjah Children's Reading Festival at the Expo Centre - Sharjah.

"We are very happy to see such large number of young boys and girls from primary, preparatory and secondary schools roaming around the Festival and taking a keen interest in books they intend to read outside of their regular school curriculum. This shows that children are increasingly becoming interested in reading and inculcating it in their lives as a regular habit," Sheikh Sultan said.

Addressing parents, HH Sheikh Dr Sultan said "We advice mothers and fathers to take care of their children not only by protecting their bodies or physical health, but by also protecting them from anything that may negatively affect their thinking. It is the parents? duty to treat their children gently, and to educate them by becoming role models for them, instead of yelling, snatching, or slapping them at the slightest provocation, or by ordering them around or depriving them of things they love and need. Children must be treated with tender compassion, respect and love."HH Sheikh Dr Sultan referred to some positive practices undertaken by parents, saying, "We have noticed that some parents bring their children with them to the mosque for prayers. This is a good sign, as the best way to inculcate good habits in your child is to train him well from the early beginning of his life. " HH Sheikh Dr Sultan concluded by wishing everyone good health, and prosperity and wellbeing for the country and its people. During the tour, HH Sheikh Dr Sultan visited the exhibition's various stands and halls, which were packed with children, their families and guests. He was accompanied by HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and President of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA).

HH Sheikh Dr Sultan warmly welcomed the visiting children and took pictures with them.

The Ruler of Sharjah visited the stands of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, the Department of Culture and Information - Sharjah, Kalimat Publishing House, Alif Ba Ta publishers, Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, American Centre for Press and Cultural Affairs, Sharjah Radio and Knowledge without Borders.

HH Sheikh Dr Sultan stopped at the stand of the Knowledge Without Borders where he participated in the initiative ?Faces? by writing "From here it began children's culture", an emphasis on his Sheik Sultan's approach for supporting children's culture as the foundation for cultural progress of the country.

Sheikh Dr Sultan instructed the organisers of the Knowledge Without Borders to gauge the public opinion and solicit their feedback about their benefit from such initiatives.

Sheikh Sultan toured the event area where he inspected children's participation in workshops, and then headed to the Sharjah Exhibition for Children Books' Illustrations where he was briefed by Hind Lenaid, General Coordinator of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, on the exhibition and its various accompanying events and activities.

Sheikh Sultan stopped at the wall of Japanese artist Junco Naganoo, and praised the creativity of the artists, judging panels and committees supervising the Festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and President of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), said, "Everyone feels proud of the excellent position Sharjah and UAE have attained on the cultural map of the middle east, a resounding success that would not have been possible without the support of H.H Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who has always been keen towards the development and success of Sharjah, and the emirate?s numerous ventures." On the occasion, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), said, "The visit by H.H Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, and his support for the Sharjah Children's reading Festival highlights the fact that no progress can be made without supporting children's development."Headed that there was no doubt that this major goal had doubled their responsibility, so that children's festivals could be more advanced in coming years to be able to compete at both regional and global levels." Intellectuals, authors and publishers have highly praised Sheikh Sultan's initiative of donating AED 2 million for buying books and supporting the emirate's libraries and cultural centres with books and publications - a move that will help foster children's love of books and develop their cognitive skills and knowledge. Also in attendance were Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, Bilal Al Bodour, Assistant Deputy for Cultural and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Ali Mehaid Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of the Sharjah International Book Fair, and a number of prominent figures, VIPs, authors, and writers, publishers and media representatives.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.