ISLAMABAD: Scholars, researchers and students hailed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) book pavilion at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad on Friday, saying it would help them learn more about Arab culture, heritage and the development model of the UAE.
“I am doing PhD in Islamic Studies from the International Islamic University. Currently, I am doing research on comparative religions and this UAE pavilion has given me access to some wonderful books on Islamic history and Arab culture,” Sajjad Ali told Arab News.
In this photo, people are reading books at the UAE pavilion in Pakistan's national library on Jan 10, 2020. (AN Photo)
The book pavilion has different titles and was inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister for Tolerance, on December 27, 2019. The pavilion is considered a rich and qualitative addition to libraries in Pakistan due to its advanced services that fulfills the information needs of students and researchers focusing on the Middle East.
According to a statement issued by the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, the facility will have 5000 books in Arabic and English on different topics that are published in the UAE.
The UAE pavilion at the National Library of Pakistan contains more than 1500 books on different topics. It is a gift to the country’s biggest library by the diplomatic mission of the Arab state in Islamabad. January 10, 2020 (AN Photo)
“The embassy has given more than 1500 books that deal with its country’s history, culture, heritage, tourism, and folk stories. Some of these titles also deal with biographies of notable Arab leaders and issues related to the Gulf region,” Muhammad Riaz, who is spearheading the UAE pavilion at the library, told Arab News in Islamabad on Friday.
“They have promised 5000 books. The remaining ones will be provided in different phases during the upcoming months,” he said.
The UAE pavilion at the National Library of Pakistan contains more than 1500 books on different topics. It is a gift to the country’s biggest library by the diplomatic mission of the Arab state in Islamabad. January 10, 2020 (AN Photo)
Most of the people who visit the library are scholars and researchers from different universities of Pakistan, Riaz continued, adding that the daily turnout of visitors was around 800 to 1000.
The National Library of Pakistan claims to have the largest number of books with more than 400,000 titles, 480 daily newspapers, and over 1600 magazines.
The UAE pavilion at the National Library of Pakistan contains more than 1500 books on different topics. It is a gift to the country’s biggest library by the diplomatic mission of the Arab state in Islamabad. January 10, 2020 (AN Photo)
“We wrote letters to many universities about the new UAE book pavilion and the number of visitors who want to explore this collection is gradually increasing. Many of these people include MPhil and PhD students. Some of them are also preparing for competitive exams with Arabic language as their subject,” he said.
Since the library is adjacent to the Diplomatic Enclave, Riaz continued, its membership also includes ambassadors of various countries many of whom have also shown keen interest in the pavilion.
“As the world is now a global village and information is not limited to one country or region, everyone seems inquisitive to know about other cultures and regions,” he added. “It will help many Pakistanis and foreigners to know about Arab culture and issues related to the UAE and the Middle East.”
A visitor holds a book in the UAE pavilion at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad on January 10, 2020. (AN Photo)
Muhammad Usman, who is preparing for his civil services examination told Arab News that the UAE pavilion was a great addition to the library since it would help people familiarize themselves with the Middle Eastern culture, history and heritage.
“I recently did MA in English and am now preparing for the CSS exams. This corner will help me know more about the UAE, its rapid development and bilateral relationship with Pakistan,” he said.
