Throughout history, the world has witnessed the existence of remarkable libraries that have played a crucial role in cultural development. One of the most renowned is the ancient Library of Alexandria, referred to as the “Great Library.” Founded by Alexander the Great roughly 2,300 years ago, it has been revived in Egypt as one of the most significant cultural institutions globally.
Another prominent establishment is the “House of Wisdom,” created during the reign of the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid. This institution evolved into a prestigious scientific center across various disciplines, significantly contributing to the Golden Age of Islamic civilization and preserving global heritage from potential loss. It was also the first to implement a systematic approach to library organization based on book classification.
In contemporary times, the “Library of Congress,” the national library of the United States and its oldest cultural federal institution, is universally recognized as a unique global resource for information.
Drawing from this rich historical context surrounding culture and libraries, we can appreciate the active role the Mohammed bin Rashid Library is playing within the intellectual, cultural, and artistic landscape of the United Arab Emirates. It transcends the concept of a mere library, representing a significant cultural project that intersects various aspects of human civilization and connects developmental necessities with cultural needs.
Since its opening in 2022, the library has swiftly emerged as a major participant in the local knowledge scene and a reliable global partner. It has demonstrated its role in realizing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, in reviving Arab civilization, including its openness to various sciences and global cultures while maintaining a focus on critical Arab issues.
One notable initiative that originated from this perspective is the “Arab Press Exhibition,” launched last November. This exhibition stands out as one of the largest and most significant journalistic exhibitions and is the first of its kind hosted by the library, showcasing the rich history of Arab journalism and its evolution.
Celebrating the history of Arab press, especially amid the rise of digital media, the exhibition sends a forward-looking message about the role of media and highlights the substantial cultural impact that print journalism has had on nations’ destinies, particularly in the Arab world. It emphasizes His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s view on media, where he consistently asserts its enlightening role rather than a mere promotional one, stating: “The function of media is to enlighten, not to advertise.” He has also stressed the importance of media in advancing Arab society, declaring, “Media is a partner in developing the present and shaping the future.”
Cultural Role
By hosting this exhibition, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library remains committed to its role as a key knowledge and information hub, encompassing books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. This commitment positions it within a larger tradition of significant library projects that have made profound cultural contributions.
A tour through the exhibition serves as a reminder to visitors that discussing the end of print journalism is akin to proclaiming the extinction of printed books, which fundamentally constitute libraries, essentially acting as the memory that protects awareness, much like the walls of a home safeguard an individual’s privacy.
History and Transformations
Visitors to the exhibition can deeply explore the history of the world and the Arab region over significant periods encapsulated on the pages displayed. They can trace the history and transformations of Arab journalism and its biases, providing insights into the evolution of Arab consciousness over the decades. Ultimately, they conclude that the exhibition is not merely a showcase of media prints but a comprehensive presentation of historical shifts in awareness, a topic worthy of academic study.
Thus, the exhibition also serves as an invitation to academics and specialized institutions to analyze the Arab media phenomenon from its inception to the present day, given that Arab journalism has been an ongoing narrative.
Concerning this exhibition, His Excellency Mohammed Al Mur, Chairman of the Board of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, emphasized that journalism plays a pioneering role in documenting the trajectory of human civilization through a unique blend of various literary forms, offering humanity a platform for reflection, thought, and expression of identity in all its dimensions, while keeping pace with contemporary transformations, balancing authenticity and modernity.
He added, “Guided by our vision at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library and our belief in the necessity of transmitting knowledge to future generations, as well as the vital role journalism plays in documentation and historical account, we organized this exhibition dedicated to Arab journalism. It aims to serve as a bridge across time, connecting the past with the present and opening new horizons towards the future, celebrating journalism and its role in shaping national awareness and influencing the pathways of civilizational transformation through pages of some of the oldest and rarest newspapers.”