Under the patronage of His Excellency Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, the 47th Islamic Book Exhibition commenced Monday at the Social Reform Society headquarters in Al-Rawda district, running through May 3.

A Legacy of Enlightenment
Siham Al-Azmi, Director General of Kuwait National Library, delivering remarks on behalf of Minister Al-Mutairi, highlighted the exhibition's 47-year history of "enlightening hearts and minds" while promoting thoughtful reading. The timing coincides with Kuwait's designation as 2025 Arab Capital of Culture and Media, reflecting the nation's tradition of cultural philanthropy through official partnerships.

2024 Theme: "Towards Civilizational Awareness"
Al-Azmi explained this year's theme stems from the Society's vision that true awareness emerges through diverse intellectual engagement. Dr. Khaled Al-Madhkour, Chairman of the Social Reform Society, emphasized the exhibition's role in "building conscious Muslim individuals amid contemporary challenges," with programming designed for all age groups.

Special Focus on Palestine
The chairman noted Gaza, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa Mosque feature prominently in this edition. The exhibition aligns with Kuwait's cultural capital status through a dedicated digital portal showcasing 120 participating publishers from Arab states, Gulf countries, and Europe.

Interactive Programming
Highlights include:

• Morning educational sessions for students (coordinated with Ministry of Education)

• Intellectual seminars featuring prominent thinkers

• Children's literature pavilions with edutainment activities

• Cultural competitions ("Impact of Culture," "Genius Challenge")

• Specialized workshops and knowledge contests

With over 120 international publishers and multidisciplinary activities, the exhibition reinforces Kuwait's position as a hub for open intellectual exchange while nurturing a new generation of engaged readers.