Sharjah Museums Authority launches three new books

The Sharjah Museums Authority, SMA, has launched three new books at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair, being held at the Sharjah Expo Centre until November 11th.

Two new books will focus on coins and currency in the Arab world: ‘Islamic Coins from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization: Part one’ and ‘Currency in Mleiha’ will both be made available to the public at the annual literary event, now in its 36th year.

‘Currency in Mleiha’ examines the history of the coins made and used in Mleiha, the village in Sharjah where remnants of pre-Islamic society have been discovered, as well as the historical roots of the evolution of currency and how its spread helped to replace bartering.

It discusses the replica of Alexander the Great’s currency that was made in Mleiha and explains in great detail the importance of the symbols and images that appeared on these coins and their significance.

‘Islamic Coins from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation: Part one’ sees the museum open its vaults to reveal its extensive collection of Islamic and Arabic currencies and coins.

The book details some 3,000 coins, including minted copper fils, silver dirhams, and gold dinars, some of which date back to the advent of Islam.

The third book to be launched is ‘Lasting Impressions: Thuraya Al-Baqsami’. The ninth edition of the ‘Lasting Impressions’ series, this latest book looks at the pioneering work by Kuwaiti writer and artist, Thuraya Al-Baqsami.

The book is a comprehensive collection of more than 200 of Al-Baqsami’s paintings, posters, drawings and illustrations dating back to the 1960s.

These artworks document the artist’s colourful life, depicted in her stunning visual interpretations of major events that have had a profound effect on her and the region, such as the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and the early waves of modernisation that swept over the Middle East from the 1960s onwards.

"The Sharjah Museums Authority is proud to announce three new publications at the Sharjah International Book Fair. We continue to look forward to taking part each year in the book fair, which is one of the most important literary and cultural events in the world," said Manal Ataya, Director-General of Sharjah Museums Authority.

"All three new publications reflect the SMA’s key goals of sharing knowledge with everyone be it scholars,students and enthusiasts and sharing with members of the public the treasures of our region’s past and present.

With access to publications of diverse topics we are sure they will help inspire others to learn more about the culture and history of the region and the exceptional work being created by Arab and international artists."