AGP Executive Report

Qatar Cultural Publishing: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study by Dr Ali Afifi Ali Ghazi tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and its ties to education, faith, and public life, spotlighting figures like Sheikh Hamed al-Marwani and the scripts he mastered. Germany Education & Jewish Life: Germany’s schools will receive a new eight-volume Jewish religious education textbook series, produced by the Central Council of Jews in Germany with Ernst Klett Verlag, aiming to teach Torah, prayer, ethics, holidays and history to ages 10–16 amid rising antisemitism. Bahrain Literary Commemoration: A Muharraq street was renamed for poet and writer Ali Abdulla Khalifa, with a plaque unveiled by officials recognizing his role in shaping Bahrain’s modern cultural identity. UAE Children’s Literature: The UAE Board on Books for Young People closed submissions for the 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature with 475 entries, led by the Picture Book category and the UAE as top contributor. Uzbekistan Reading Culture: Uzbekistan’s “Thousand Books for Youth” project continues translating major scientific and literary works into Uzbek to expand reading and strengthen the language for modern scholarship. Qatar–France Translation: L’Harmattan published the French edition of A Qatari on the Banks of the Seine: Cultural Dialogue, translated by Khadija Toukkabri, positioning the book as a bridge beyond stereotypes. Israel-Palestine Publishing: A new book, Between Hope & Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7, by Marc Schulman, charts three decades of Israeli politics, war, diplomacy and reinvention from Oslo to October 7.

New Book (Israel/Palestine): Marc Schulman’s Between Hope & Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7 traces three decades of Israeli politics, war, diplomacy and reinvention, from Rabin–Arafat’s Oslo optimism to the catastrophe of Oct. 7, set for Sept. 1 release. Arabic Children’s Publishing: The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) says its 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature drew 475 entries across 20 countries, with picture books leading (184) and the UAE topping submissions (149). Cultural Heritage & Translation (Uzbekistan): A Tashkent media forum discussed preserving Islamic civilization’s heritage and combating stereotypes, including plans for a facsimile edition of 114 Quran manuscripts and translation requests abroad. Literary Diplomacy (Qatar/France): L’Harmattan has published the French translation of A Qatari on the Banks of the Seine: Cultural Dialogue, positioning the book as a lived, stereotype-free cultural bridge. Local Literary Honor (Bahrain): Muharraq names a street after poet and writer Ali Abdulla Khalifa, recognizing his role in shaping Bahrain’s modern cultural identity. Publishing Industry (Russia): TRENDS Research & Advisory will join the Moscow International Book Fair as a knowledge partner, with seminars, new publications and cooperation deals. Interview (Islam & Fiction): Yassmin Abdel-Magied discusses her novel At Sea and her push for nuanced Muslim characters rather than Islam as a “problem to be solved.”

Arabic Children’s Literature: The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) says its International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature received 475 entries across 20 countries, with the UAE leading (149) and Egypt next (115), as registration closes and printed submissions are still accepted through August. Qatar–France Publishing: A French edition of A Qatari on the Banks of the Seine: Cultural Dialogue (Un Qatari au bord de la Seine) is published by L’Harmattan, translated by Khadija Toukkabri, aiming to bring European readers closer to Qatari life “away from stereotypes.” Reading Culture Policy: Uzbekistan’s “Thousand Books for Youth” project is translating major scientific and literary works into Uzbek to build a reading culture, while also tackling a shortage of popular science titles. Translation as Infrastructure: The Israel Translators Association highlights academic translation as a key bridge for research and humanities publishing across languages, with a professional directory for specialized language services. Literature & Events in the Gulf: Sharjah Book Authority promotes its expanding cultural footprint, including rights to operate “Book Access” bookstores across the Arab world, Middle East and Africa, as Abu Dhabi gears up for its September book fair and major literary calendar.

Arabic Children’s Literature Award: The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) has closed registration for the 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, presented by e&, with 475 entries from 20 Arab and foreign countries—up from 407 last edition. Publishing pipeline: Picture books led with 184 submissions (ages 5–9), followed by early childhood (112), young people (85), chapter books (67), and non-fiction (27). Regional participation: The UAE topped the country list (149), then Egypt (115), Jordan (52), Saudi Arabia (43) and Lebanon (27), with additional entries from Canada, Qatar, Syria, Türkiye, Oman and Switzerland. Book fairs on the horizon: Iraq’s 27th Baghdad International Book Fair is set for Sept 2–12 with 20 countries, including Qatar, and Oman as guest of honour. Cultural exchange: Japanese archaeological teams plan to return to Iraq for digs and hands-on training, alongside expanding Japanese language teaching at the University of Baghdad.

UAE & Gulf Publishing Calendar: Abu Dhabi’s 35th International Book Fair is set for Sept 13–18 under UAE President patronage, with a Don Quixote and Al Farahidi spotlight and a packed autumn of literary events. Iraq Books & Trade: The 27th Baghdad International Book Fair runs Sept 2–12 with 20 countries, including Qatar, and 600+ publishers across nearly 395 booths, plus panels, poetry and new-release programs. Regional Literary Exchange: Qatar is listed among participants for the Baghdad fair, while Japan plans to return to Iraq for archaeology digs and Japanese-language teaching support at the University of Baghdad. Book Publishing Business: Nugentis founder Hagai Gat launches a print edition of “China Automotive: From Tech Transfer Nation to Startup Super Nation,” tracing China’s EV and software-defined vehicle rise. Press Freedom & Books: The Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte after “hypothetical censorship” comments, reigniting debate over editorial independence. Fiction & Representation: A review argues fiction still leans on caricatures of Muslim women, while another piece highlights how Agatha Christie’s Middle East settings shaped her enduring popularity.

UAE Events Calendar: Abu Dhabi is lining up a packed September run, from ADIHEX (Aug 28–Sep 6) to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (Sep 13–18) and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award ceremony (Sep 16), with more education and culture shows following. Baghdad Publishing Push: Qatar is set to take part in the 27th Baghdad International Book Fair (Sep 2–12), with 20 countries, 600+ publishing houses and a full program of panels, poetry and new releases. Press Freedom Clash: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer and reporter Lara Korte after they criticized “hypothetical censorship,” reigniting debate over editorial independence. AI & Ethics Debate: A new conversation on AI justice asks who designs AI, who benefits, and who carries the risks—framing it as a common-good question. Fiction Spotlight: Fall retail buzz points to fiction leading the midterm season, with major political memoirs and Gaza-related nonfiction also drawing attention. Cultural Exchange in Print: Japanese–Iraqi academic cooperation is set to resume with excavation missions and expanded Japanese language teaching at the University of Baghdad.

Baghdad International Book Fair: Iraq’s 27th Baghdad International Book Fair runs Sept. 2–12, with Qatar among participants and Oman as guest of honor, bringing 600+ publishers across nearly 395 booths plus panels, poetry and new-release events. Publishing & diplomacy: The UAE’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (35th edition) keeps its “Turn the Page and Read the World” theme, positioning reading as a cultural and tech-facing social value ahead of Sept. 13–18. Literature meets archaeology: Japan plans to return to Iraq for renewed digs and hands-on training, while also expanding Japanese language teaching at the University of Baghdad. Press freedom in publishing: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte after “hypothetical censorship” remarks, reigniting debate over editorial independence. Gaza rebuilding in print: Norman Finkelstein and Jeremy Corbyn argue in a new conversation that Gaza’s destruction has become policy, with reconstruction blocked while Palestinians remain on the land.

Baghdad Book Fair: Iraq’s 27th Baghdad International Book Fair runs Sept. 2–12, with Qatar among 20 participating countries, 600+ publishers and agencies, and nearly 395 booths; Oman is guest of honor, with panel discussions, poetry, critical evenings, and a symposium spotlighting new releases. Japan–Iraq Cultural Exchange: Japanese archaeological teams plan to return to Iraq for excavations plus hands-on training for local researchers, while the University of Baghdad expands Japanese language teaching via faculty recruitment from Japan and Egypt. Publishing & Press Freedom: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte after CBS-linked comments about “hypothetical censorship,” reigniting debate over editorial independence and funding influence. Literary Spotlight: A new translation of I.J. Singer’s Yiddish dispatches, “Viaggi in America,” brings his early 20th-century American observations to Italian readers, underscoring how publishing travels with diaspora voices. UAE Book Culture: ADIBF 2026’s theme, “Turn the Page and Read the World,” frames reading as cultural dialogue and knowledge-sharing, with the fair positioning itself as a global platform for education, tech, and the creative economy.

Pentagon vs press freedom: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte after they criticized “hypothetical censorship,” reigniting debate over editorial independence for military media. Middle East diplomacy & nuclear risk: A U.S.-brokered “diplomatic agreement” would let the IAEA remove nuclear material from Syria’s “Site 99,” but Israel has warned it could strike again if the uranium is accessed—raising fresh questions for publishing and public understanding of the region’s nuclear stakes. UAE publishing & culture calendar: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 (theme: “Turn the Page and Read the World”) spotlights culture, dialogue, and knowledge exchange as the fair returns for its 35th edition. Book market watch: Fiction is expected to dominate fall sales, with political memoirs and Middle East-related nonfiction among the notable releases. Literary spotlight: A new translation project brings I.J. Singer’s Yiddish “Travels in America” to Italian readers, underscoring how Middle East-linked Jewish publishing networks keep reshaping global literature.

Abu Dhabi Book Fair Watch: ADIBF 2026 (35th edition) is set to run Sept 13–18 under the theme “Turn the Page and Read the World,” with the UAE President patronage and a push to frame reading as cultural dialogue, family value, and knowledge beyond books. Publishing & Culture Events: The UAE’s autumn calendar is packed with heritage, AI, arts, and major Arab music tours, signaling strong demand for live culture alongside book fairs. Press Freedom & Books in the Spotlight: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte after CBS-linked comments about “hypothetical censorship,” raising fresh questions about editorial independence and the fate of books and school content. Middle East Reading Routes: A new translation of I.J. Singer’s “Viaggi in America” (Travels in America) brings his Yiddish dispatches to Italian readers for the first time, spotlighting early Jewish literary travel writing. Book Market Mood: A fall retail roundup says fiction is likely to dominate midterm-season shelves, while political nonfiction remains harder to sustain as the news cycle moves fast.

Pentagon vs. press freedom: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, plus publisher Max Lederer and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, after Slavin condemned “hypothetical censorship,” raising fresh alarms about editorial independence in a paper partly funded by the Defense Department. Middle East literary history: A new piece revisits how Agatha Christie’s Middle Eastern travels and archaeology shaped her mystery writing, underscoring the region’s influence on global publishing. Translation & publishing markets: The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding (SHTAIU) named the languages for its 2027 edition, signaling where Arabic-to-world translation momentum may concentrate. UAE book fair spotlight: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair’s 35th theme, “Turn the Page and Read the World,” frames reading as cultural dialogue and knowledge-sharing, with the event expanding beyond books into tech and creative industries. Research collections: UCSB Library expanded its humanities and social science digital holdings via AM’s primary-source archives spanning Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

UAE Book Fairs & Publishing: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 (35th edition) is set to run Sept 13–18 under the theme “Turn the Page and Read the World,” framing reading as a wider cultural and knowledge-sharing project. Translation & Awards: Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding (SHTAIU) has announced the languages selected for its 13th edition in 2027, with Spanish and English named for the Single Book category and a process aimed at boosting Arabic-to-international translation links. Publishing Business: Nani Media House, publisher of “Rich Monday Paper” and other “good news” titles, is opening franchise applications worldwide, pitching airport, in-flight, newsstand and bookstore distribution plus a fully managed editorial operation. Culture & Access: Sharjah’s House of Wisdom (UNESCO World Book Capital initiative) is highlighted as a waterfront library and community hub with 100,000+ books and ongoing workshops and events. Health & Reading Communities: A study on willingness to pay for Alzheimer’s preventive medication in Iran adds a policy-relevant angle to the region’s growing dementia burden.

UAE Events & Culture: The UAE’s autumn calendar stays packed despite a few changes, with major Arabic music dates including Nancy Ajram (Oct 24, Dubai), Najwa Karam (Oct 2), Amr Diab (Nov 7) and Ibrahim Maalouf with Hiba Tawaji (Nov 27), alongside heritage and arts programming. UAE Publishing & Book Fairs: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 is set for Sept 13–18 at ADNEC under the theme “Turn the Page and Read the World,” with ~1,500 events, exhibitors from 95 countries, the Balkans as Guest of Honour, and Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote as “Book of the World.” Translation & Awards: Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad Award (SHTAIU) has named the 2027 target languages, including Spanish and English for the Single Book category, with selection based on translation movement and output. Publishing Business Model: London-based Nani Media House opened franchise applications for its “Good News” titles, pitching distribution via airports, in-flight networks, newsstands and bookstores.

Translation & Publishing Awards: Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding (SHTAIU) has announced the languages selected for its 13th edition in 2027, with Spanish and English highlighted in the Single Book category, as the prize keeps its early-language announcement approach to give translators and publishers time to prepare. UAE Literary Calendar: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair returns for its 35th edition on Sept 13–18, 2026 at ADNEC under President Mohamed bin Zayed’s patronage, themed “Turn the Page, Read the World,” with the Balkans as Guest of Honour and Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi as Focus Personality. Sharjah Reading Hub: Sharjah’s House of Wisdom opens as a UNESCO World Book Capital-style community library and events space, offering free access to 100,000+ books and year-round workshops. New Fiction on Palestine: British-Arab author Amy Abdelnoor’s debut novel Ever Land explores West Bank displacement through a British-Jewish teen and a Palestinian spirit, with the manuscript shaped during the Gaza war. Cultural-Policy Tension in Europe: A French court upheld the closure of a mosque in Aulnay-sous-Bois, spotlighting how legal decisions can ripple into Muslim worship access.

Translation Awards: Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad Award (SHTAIU) has revealed the languages chosen for its 13th edition in 2027, with the shortlist set to be announced months ahead to give translators and publishers time to prepare; the process weighs Arabic-to-other-language translation activity and academic/cultural output. UAE Book Fairs: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair returns for its 35th edition, running Sept 13–18 under “Turn the Page, Read the World,” with the Balkans as Guest of Honour and Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi as Focus Personality; the programme spans 1,500 events across global dialogue, innovation, and live arts. New Fiction: British-Arab author Amy Abdelnoor discusses her debut novel Ever Land, linking Palestinian displacement and the West Bank through a story of a British-Jewish teen and a trapped Palestinian spirit. Open-Access Publishing: Qatar’s QScience.com says it operates a diamond open-access model, hosting 10,000+ works and drawing 400,000+ users yearly, with thousands of items tied to Qatari institutions. Publishing Industry Business: Trustar Capital is set to acquire Alibaba’s Lingxi Games, valuing the studio at $1.5B+ and highlighting the region’s growing media-and-games investment ecosystem.

Abu Dhabi Book Fair Countdown: The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair returns under UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s patronage, running Sept 13–18 at ADNEC with the theme “Turn the Page, Read the World,” about 1,500 events, exhibitors from 95 countries, and a spotlight on the Balkans as Guest of Honour plus Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi as Focus Personality and Cervantes’ Don Quixote as Book of the World. New Fiction Spotlight: British-Arab author Amy Abdelnoor discusses her debut novel Ever Land, a story of displacement and the cost of Israel’s occupation, shaped by her writing process during the Gaza war. Open-Access Publishing in Qatar: QScience.com, described as a Qatar-based diamond open-access platform under Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, says it hosts 10,000+ works and draws 400,000+ users yearly. Publishing Industry Signals: A report on the printing paper market projects growth to $457.5bn by 2035 as packaging and security printing replace traditional publishing demand. Tech & Media Business: Bloomberg reports Alibaba is selling Lingxi Games to Trustar Capital, a deal that could value the studio at $1.5bn+.