Dr. Mohamed Rashad, President of the Arab Publishers Union, stated that military tensions in the region, following the conflict between the United States and Iran, are directly impacting the Arab cultural scene, particularly book fairs, with some countries opting to postpone their events. 🌎⚠️

Rashad explained that the current circumstances create a climate of uncertainty and concern among the Arab public, negatively affecting cultural activity. He emphasized that the continuation of the conflict makes it difficult to predict the future of cultural events in the region.

📌 Several fairs have already been affected, including the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and the Muscat International Book Fair, where postponement decisions were made to prevent losses and protect the publishing industry from disrupted supply chains and difficulties in book distribution during times of conflict.

✨ Rashad stressed that postponements are not necessarily negative, as they serve the interests of publishers by providing time to organize, plan, and prepare for future fairs once stability returns.

He added that other fairs, such as the Doha International Book Fair, will decide their course after Eid al-Fitr, depending on regional developments, emphasizing that the future of these events is largely tied to the conflict’s trajectory and stability. 🕊️

🎯 Rashad also highlighted that wars affect not only economy and politics, but also culture, including publishing and reading, as the Arab world currently lives in a state of anticipation and concern, making the protection of cultural events essential to sustain the book industry and cultural voice in the region.

📖 The cultural scene faces significant challenges, but strategic postponements may ensure the survival of the industry and its creative contributors.

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