Bodour Al Qasimi Launches New Book Exploring Arab Queens And Cultural Identity

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, has introduced her latest book at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025). Titled "Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha," the book is published by Rewayat, a literary imprint of Kalimat Group.

The book is divided into two distinct parts. The first section delves into Sheikha Bodour's personal reflections on life, land, and self-discovery. It explores themes of belonging, culture, and heritage, reflecting her quest to understand human existence and its ties to identity. The second part focuses on scientific research about matriarchal kingdoms in the Arabian Peninsula, with a particular emphasis on Mleiha.

In her foreword, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi describes the book as more than just a story. "This book is not just a story. It is a spell, an invocation, a sacred weaving of memory and myth. It is the unraveling of my roots, roots sunk deep into the soil of my ancestors, tangled with spirit, grief, longing, and love. As I unravel my roots, I unravel my soul, tracing the footsteps of those who walked long before me, whose echoes remain in every grain of sand and every gust of wind."

The narrative takes readers on an intellectual journey through Sheikha Bodour's cultural identity exploration via travel and mountaineering. Her studies in archaeology further enrich this journey. The book also examines Mleiha's history and local culture alongside its diverse social and cultural heritage.

The second segment documents archaeological findings related to matriarchal kingdoms in Mleiha. Notably, it highlights artefacts like Abiel coins that suggest a dynasty of Arab queens once existed there. These coins bear inscriptions indicating names of queens who ruled during that era.

Through this work, Sheikha Bodour combines personal memories with collective history while incorporating scientific research to highlight Arab women's roles in early history. This includes kingdoms led by women across different periods.

Arab Queens' Historical Significance

The book features several prominent Arab queens such as Queen Zenobia, Queen of Sheba, Moon Queens of Saba, and Queen Shams. It culminates with a proposed map showing where these queens ruled throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

With scholarly ambition combined with cultural visioning efforts within its pages; readers are invited to revisit Arab history from fresh perspectives offered by this new approach presented within its pages.

This work encourages readers to re-examine historical narratives through fresh lenses while appreciating contributions made by influential figures throughout time—especially those often overlooked or forgotten within traditional accounts.

With inputs from WAM