Kitab magazine spotlights Bodour Al Qasimi coin initiative

April 06, 2026 / 12:44 PM

Sharjah24: The latest issue of Kitab magazine features an initiative led by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), to document and study a rare collection of 1,103 Arab-Islamic coins preserved at Sforzesco Castle in Milan, Italy.

Published by the Sharjah Book Authority, the April edition features the initiative on its cover, displaying an image of a historic gold dinar that highlights efforts to celebrate the rich heritage of Arab civilisation. The project is supported by SBA and conducted in partnership with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart through its Arab Cultural Institute.

In the issue’s editorial titled “Minted History,” His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), emphasised the cultural significance of documenting Islamic coinage, noting that these artefacts serve as reliable historical records reflecting the identity, independence, and achievements of Arab civilisation.

He pointed to an exceptional coin in the collection, a gold dinar from 77 AH (696 AD), minted during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Abd al Malik ibn Marwan, symbolising the emergence of an independent Arab currency system.

The 90th issue of Kitab also includes a range of literary content, such as interviews with notable Arab and international writers, along with critical essays, book reviews, and discussions on contemporary topics like artificial intelligence and its impact on human creativity and thought.