Kalimat Foundation Introduces Region's First Inclusive Book Series For Children At Sharjah Festival

Kalimat Foundation has achieved a significant milestone in accessible publishing by launching the region's first inclusive book series for children. This initiative, in collaboration with Kalimat Group, was announced during the Board of Trustees meeting at the 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). The project aims to make knowledge accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities, and promote inclusive learning environments.

The Board of Trustees meeting, chaired by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, took place at Expo Centre Sharjah. It focused on reviewing this achievement and planning future strategies to enhance the Foundation's educational and humanitarian impact. Attendees included Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, His Excellency Mohamed Abdullah, Ahlam Bolooki, and Fuad Mansoor Sharaf.

The newly introduced inclusive book series is designed for both visually impaired and sighted children. Supported by Sharjah Islamic Bank and Sharjah Charity Association, this print-braille collection offers educational and recreational content through printed text, braille, and tactile illustrations. This initiative aims to broaden horizons and foster a shared culture of reading among children.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi commented on the launch: "This new inclusive book series embodies our belief that every child deserves to experience the magic of reading. By creating books that bring together visually impaired and sighted children in a shared reading experience, we are taking a decisive step towards building a more inclusive and compassionate future. This initiative reflects our commitment to not just closing the accessibility gap but reimagining a world where diversity is embraced, and knowledge is a right for all."

The Board reviewed key achievements since early 2025. Notably, 400 Arabic-language books were donated to Palestinian children at Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi under the "Pledge a Library" initiative during the UAE’s Month of Reading. Additionally, a cultural campaign in Morocco was launched as part of Sharjah’s participation as Guest of Honour at the 30th Rabat International Book Fair.

This campaign involved distributing 600 Arabic-language books to schools and associations in Morocco. It also included special rewards for winners of the Moroccan Reading Network competition. These efforts reflect Kalimat Foundation's dedication to promoting literacy and education across different regions.

Strategic Roadmap Approval

The Board approved a strategic roadmap aimed at expanding the "Pledge a Library" initiative further. This includes supplying portable libraries to local charity schools across the UAE. The plan also focuses on ensuring sustainable funding for projects, adopting enhanced evaluation frameworks, and broadening Kalimat Foundation’s regional and international outreach.

After the meeting concluded, Trustees toured the pavilion to engage with ongoing projects that continue advancing Kalimat Foundation's mission of fostering equitable access to knowledge for all children.

With inputs from WAM