Ajman waives off 50% traffic fines; SIBF draws 1.9m visitors
20,000 book lovers paid multiple visits to the book fair, a clear sign that the SIBF is a major cultural atraction
AJMAN: Under the directives of Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, Major General Sheikh Sultan Bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-chief of Ajman Police, said Ajman has reduced traffic fines by 50 per cent and cancelled vehicle impoundments and black points from Nov.21 to Dec.31.
The decision was announced to mark the golden jubilee of the UAE.
“The reduction applies to all traffic violations commited in the Emirate of Ajman, and includes cancellation of black points and vehicle impounding, however, serious violations are excluded from the decision,” Sheikh Sultan Al Nuaimi said.
The Commander-in-chief of Ajman Police added that the decision came to ease payment of fines, reflecting the interest of the Ajman Police to enhance the continuity of development in various fields, and to harness all the possibilities to ensure the happiness of the public.
He called on vehicle owners to expedite the payment of fines and benefit from the discount within the specified period, through smart payment channels via the MOI application, the Ajman Police smart application, e-payment through the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Sahel electronic devices, or at the service centers.
He further stressed the need to adhere to the traffic rules and instructions to avoid commiting violations and accidents, wishing safety for all.
SIBF ATTRACTS 1.9M VISITORS: In an unrelated development, ater establishing itself as the world’s largest book fair this year and receiving 1,692,463 visitors representing 109 nationalities, curtains fell on the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which ran its course from Nov.3-13 under the theme ‘There’s always a right book.’ The cultural extravaganza brought together 1,632 publishers from 83 countries.
This milestone edition, where Spain was Guest of Honour, surpassed every international book fair held this year to become the world’s largest by atracting the largest number of publishers and literary agents looking to network, matchmake and do business with each other.
Statistics released by SBA reveals that Females account for 51.9 per cent of SIBF visitors, and males accounted for 48.1 per cent of SIBF visitors.
As for age groups, 1.3 per cent of visitors at SIBF 2021 were under 15 years; 52.2 per cent between 16 and 30, those between 31-45 accounted for 35.5 per cent, while 11.1 per cent were 46 years and older. 90.2 per cent of visitors registered on-ground to atend the fair, while 9.8 per cent registered via SBA’S digital plaforms.
Ater establishing itself as the world’s largest book fair this year and receiving 1,692,463 visitors representing 109 nationalities, curtains fell on the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which ran its course from November 3-13 under the theme ‘There’s always a right book.’
The cultural extravaganza brought together 1,632 publishers from 83 countries. This milestone edition, where Spain was Guest of Honour, surpassed every international book fair held this year to become the world’s largest by atracting the largest number of publishers and literary agents looking to network, matchmake and do business with each other.
FEMALES ACCOUNT FOR 51.9 PER CENT OF SIBF VISITORS: Statistics released by SBA reveal that females account for 51.9 per cent of SIBF visitors, and males accounted for 48.1 per cent of SIBF visitors. As for age groups, 1.3 per cent of visitors at SIBF 2021 were under 15 years; 52.2 per cent between 16 and 30, those between 31-45 accounted for 35.5 per cent, while 11.1 per cent were 46 years and older; 90.2 per cent of visitors registered on-ground to atend the fair, while 9.8 per cent registered via SBA’S digital plaforms.
An interesting finding made by the book fair this year was that around 20,000 amongst the 1.6 million visitors to SIBF 2021 walked into the 11-day fair more than once; and thousands have visited the fair 3 to 7 times. Some even made multiple visits in one day – a clear sign that SIBF is a major cultural atraction. The fair received visitors from 109 nationalities with the UAE securing the top spot, followed by India, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Philippines, Morocco, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Algeria, Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, America, Canada, and other countries.
MORE THAN 1,000 ACTIVITIES DURING THE CULTURAL FEST: The vibrant and diverse programming agenda of SIBF 2021 included more than 1,000 activities, including 440 cultural sessions, 355 shows, performances, seminars and workshops for children, and more than 80 awe-inspiring theatrical and dance performances from Europe, Asia, and Africa. For the first time in the history of SIBF, aspiring illustrators, designers and art directors had an opportunity to benefit from a series of free workshops and panel sessions as part of a dedicated Illustration Survival Corner, organised in collaboration with Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
SIBF 2021 hosted 85 authors and intellectuals from 22 countries who led the fair’s events and activities. Taleb Al Refai was Cultural Personality of the Year at this edition of the book fair, which also hosted distinguished guests, including Tanzanian novelist and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2021, Abdulrazak Gurnah; South African comedian and celebrity TV host Trevor Noah; Chris Gardner; writer Yasmina Khadra; Amitav Ghosh; Chetan Bhagat; and the young inventor Gitanjali Rao from America.
Notable names from the UAE and the Arab region include novelists Maysoon Saqr Al Qasimi, Sultan Al Amimi, Asma Al Zarooni, the novelist Reem Al Kamali, and Shaikha Al Mutairi, in addition to poet Khalid Abdulrahman, author Ahlam Mosteghanemi, poet Hisham Algakh, actor Muhammad Subhi, poet Faisal Al Adwani, Egyptian jewellery designer Azza Fahmy, Egyptian author Dr Midhat Al Adl, historian Ali Al Namlah, Jordanian Jalal Barjas, and many others.
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “We congratulate His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for the exceptional success of the 40th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). His Highness’s visionary leadership has yielded great cultural achievements for the UAE and the Arab world, and proved that we are a nation that reads, creates, innovates and publishes. On these strengths, SIBF has emerged as the world’s largest book fair this year. This record achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of His Highness over the past four decades.
“The conclusion of the book fair marks not the end but the beginning of a new journey of cultural excellence for the UAE and the Arab region – one in which the distinct voices of writers and intellectuals are heard and begin to resonate with the whole world.”