Arab Encyclopedia House praises DIBF

A London-based publishing house has praised the organisation of the 34th Doha International Book Fair as excellent and truly wonderful.

In an interview with Gulf Times, Arab Encyclopedia House manager Ban Khaled al-Ani said the publishing house specialises in books that cover the history of Gulf tribes, genealogies, and the history of the Arabian Gulf. Its publications specialise in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, tribes, clans, genealogies, and books by Arab and foreign travellers.

On Arab Encyclopedia House's participation in DIBF, al-Ani said: “The house was founded in 1984 by the late Khaled al-Ani, and I am the current general manager. We have been participating in the exhibition since its inception, and for many years now. The publishing house is based in London and has a branch in Beirut.”

She added: “The Arab Encyclopedia House distributes Arabic books and encyclopedias. It also provides books from all Arab and foreign publishing houses to institutions, universities, and interested parties at reasonable prices. It also purchases manuscripts and the works of writers and intellectuals, and ships books by air, land, and sea. The House's mission is to serve the Arab reader everywhere.”

Al-Ani stressed that: “This is an opportunity for us to participate in this international exhibition, which is considered one of the most important exhibitions in the Arab world and has a large participation.”

She further commented: "The organisation for this 34th edition of the DIBF is excellent and truly wonderful. The timing of the exhibition is convenient, and the services are also excellent and wonderful."

She added: "As for readers, we have noticed a great turnout, and their numbers have been increasing daily. We have also noticed a large turnout in the evenings, with most of them buying books."

Regarding their best sellers this year, al-Ani said: "Among our most prominent publications this year are books on Qatar, on DNA, Introduction to Genealogy and Human Races from a Historical and Anthropological perspective, the Arabs of the Hula in southern Iran, and books on the Eastern Coast of the Gulf Countries."

“In conclusion, I thank the organisers of the DIBF and Qatar for this great and wonderful achievement," she said.