The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2026), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), recognised His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, as the first honouree of its new annual ‘Emirati Pioneers’ initiative.

Launched to recognise and document notable contributions to the UAE’s intellectual and cultural heritage, the initiative highlighted His Excellency’s remarkable career in culture and media, as well as his efforts that helped to advance the UAE’s standing on the regional and international cultural map.

The initiative’s inaugural session was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Dr Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institutions, and H.E. Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, alongside prominent figures from the sector.

The session explored H.E. Al Murr’s early life in Dubai and his subsequent career in culture and media. His journey was traced from community libraries and his passion for reading and self-expression, to his study of political science in the United States, and the publication of his first short-story collection, Hubb Min Naw‘ Akhar (A Different Kind of Love), in 1982.

Moderated by media professional Fatima Alhammadi, the session also discussed His Excellency’s career in public service, including his tenure as Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council. His also interest in Arabic calligraphy, manuscripts, rare coins, and the preservation of national memory was also explored, as was the translation of his works into various languages, including Chinese and Hindi.

H.E. Dr Ali bin Tamim delivered the opening remarks, affirming that celebrating influential cultural figures is essentially a celebration of the impact culture creates when it evolves from intellectual efforts offered to the recipient into a state of awareness that builds nations and societies. It is a celebration that goes beyond recognising an individual experience to safeguarding a collective memory, he said, offering us a rich dialogue that continues to expand, rather than a single voice.

“We wanted this initiative to be a national effort that annually recognises and celebrates the role of the intellectual, honouring the journeys and histories of leading figures who have had an active impact on the UAE’s cultural and intellectual sectors,” His Excellency explained. “With that in mind, we sought to document their contributions and efforts, highlighting their achievements that played an effective role in enriching culture and knowledge in society. This aligns with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s efforts and objectives to provide a sustainable cultural reference that enriches the Emirati library, preserves cultural memory, and strengthens the UAE’s leading position on the regional and international cultural map".

“Celebrating His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr is the most fitting way to launch this initiative,” H.E. bin Tamim continued. “He the custodian of a rich and far-reaching legacy, and

has led an extensive and illustrious career, and his name must be mentioned when speaking of influential figures in the UAE's and the Arab world's cultural landscapes. Across decades, his journey has been one of the defining experiences that cannot be described simply as a field of work, but rather as a passion, a sense of responsibility, a memory, and a sense of identity that have shaped the ideal image of the ‘organic intellectual’. The intellectual who has remained faithful to a single idea: that culture builds individuals, and that societies must know their history, preserve their memory, and celebrate creativity and creatives in order to understand the present and shape the future.”

In his remarks, H.E. Al Murr described ADIBF as a defining platform for Emirati and Arab culture. The Fair’s initiatives help younger generations to engage with their heritage and intellectual traditions, he added, applauding the ALC’s efforts to advance the Arabic language as a cornerstone of Arab culture. He also praised ‘Emirati Pioneers’ for preserving the legacy of figures who have shaped the nation’s cultural story.

Reflecting on his experience in establishing and leading national institutions, Al Murr attributed their enduring success to the UAE leadership’s wise vision. He said that the foundations laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, and built upon by the country’s current leadership had enabled the nation to protect its society and heritage while pursuing sustainable development.

H.E. Al Murr explained that the success of public institutions cannot be measured solely by figures and the number of books and events, but by their contribution to the cultural and civilisational development of the Emirati people. Their real impact, he explained, is visible in the positive image that Emiratis project at home and abroad, as well as in the UAE’s growing presence at international cultural forums. He pointed to the country’s recent participation as Guest of Honour at the Beijing International Book Fair, where the engagement of young Emiratis reflected a knowledgeable, confident, and forward-looking society.

His Excellency maintained that the UAE’s historical leadership provides the space and environment in which  institutions can flourish. He pointed to the country’s cultural and urban achievements as evidence of this, citing Dubai Opera, which he described as Asia’s second-largest venue after Beijing in terms of artistic and musical capacity, as an example. He also mentioned s the infrastructure supporting cultural and constitutional institutions across the emirates.

Al Murr emphasised the importance of preserving archives and libraries, as well as documenting manuscripts, coins, and rare records. Such work, he said, goes beyond safeguarding valuable objects; it is an investment in preserving the UAE’s national memory and cultural heritage.

Addressing technological advancement and the rise of fast-paced digital content, H.E. Al Murr called for a positive approach to new media. He noted that, when substantive topics are thoughtfully selected, social media platforms can broaden participation, support learning, and make knowledge more accessible. He also recalled earlier experiences and observations on the importance of public speaking and effective communication with audiences.

The initiative continues at the ‘Emirati Pioneers’ pavilion throughout the duration of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, with two daily sessions exploring H.E. Mohammed Al Murr’s experience and contributions to the UAE’s cultural and intellectual life.

‘Emirati Pioneers’ is an annual national initiative dedicated to documenting the experiences of leading cultural and intellectual figures in the UAE. It transforms individual contributions into a documented body of knowledge and enduring content, strengthening national memory, while preserving Emirati achievements and making them accessible to future generations.

The initiative reflects the broader vision of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre – the Fair’s organiser – to establish a cultural ecosystem dedicated to producing, disseminating, preserving and providing access to knowledge while expanding its impact. These objectives align with the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair's established role of providing a space for dialogue and knowledge exchange at local, regional and global levels.