New Book to Document the History of Sharjah’s Souq Al Jubail, Launching at SIBF 2027

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, attended the announcement of a new book chronicling the history of Souq Al Jubail. The bilingual Arabic-English coffee-table book is a collaboration between Kalimat Group, through its Sarab imprint, and Sharjah Asset Management.

Their Highnesses were briefed on the project at Sarab’s pavilion during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) at Expo Centre Sharjah. The book is scheduled for release at the next edition of the fair in November 2027.

The project at a glance

• Format: bilingual Arabic-English coffee-table book combining text and photography
• Publisher: Sarab, an imprint of Kalimat Group, with Sharjah Asset Management
• Author: Ali Hassan Al Suwaidi, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the American University of Sharjah
• Launch: Sharjah International Book Fair, November 2027

What the book will cover

The book will trace the transformation of Sharjah’s old market into Souq Al Jubail, from the initial vision and relocation to new premises through to operational challenges and future plans. It will look at the collaborative effort behind the project, how change was managed and the lessons learned along the way.

It will also examine the market’s role in the community: supporting food security, fishermen and traders, with a focus on food quality, hygiene standards and affordable prices. Throughout, it presents Sharjah’s approach to balancing cultural preservation with development.

An insider’s account

Author Ali Al Suwaidi oversaw the project through to the market’s opening, and the book will draw on his firsthand experience to document key lessons and opportunities for future development. Sarab will handle content development, writing, editing, translation, photography, design, art direction and printing.

Preserving the market’s story

Ahmed Al Ali, General Manager of Kalimat Group, said: “This collaboration offers an opportunity to document the story of Souq Al Jubail and the vision and efforts behind its development. The market combines local heritage with modern facilities that serve the community, making its story worth preserving for future generations.”

Senior officials attending included the Minister of Culture, the Chairman of the National Media Authority and Sultan Musabeh Al Ketbi, Chief Markets Management Officer at Sharjah Asset Management.

Media contact

Aisha Alawadhi, Sharjah Government Media Bureau
aisha.alawadhi@sgmb.ae | +971 52 767 4447