SHARJAH, UAE- A golden dagger pawned for 100 rupees to buy books became the starting point for a discussion about reading, family encouragement and Sharjah’s cultural heritage, as young readers from Khorfakkan Youth Centre explored The Pawned Dagger by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).
Held at the Sharjah Public Libraries pavilion, the session featured Mahmoud Abdulhalim, literature and languages instructor at Khorfakkan Youth Centre, and Maryam Al Harmoudi, curator of Sharjah Fort Museum, alongside young participants who shared their impressions of the book.
A passion for reading begins at home
Abdulhalim discussed how His Highness pawned his golden dagger for 100 rupees to purchase books. Upon learning what had happened, his father gave him the money to retrieve the dagger and rewarded him with an additional 10 rupees, an example Abdulhalim used to illustrate the importance of family encouragement in nurturing children’s reading habits.
He also recalled how His Highness was given a dedicated reading space in his father’s majlis, demonstrating the value of a supportive learning environment. Abdulhalim emphasised that a book’s worth lies in its ideas and lessons, regardless of its length.
He described how the Sharjah Ruler’s childhood passion for reading led him to correspond with Al Muayyad Bookshop in Bahrain and arrange payments to obtain books. Abdulhalim said these efforts helped shape His Highness’s intellectual development and encouraged young people to make reading a regular habit.
The young participants expressed admiration for the Sharjah Ruler’s determination to acquire books, particularly his decision to pawn a valuable dagger. They also discussed how Sharjah Youth Centres support their interests through libraries and activities including reading, drawing, swimming, football and robotics.
Sharjah Fort Library preserves the story
Maryam Al Harmoudi praised the participants’ understanding of The Pawned Dagger and encouraged them to visit Sharjah Fort Museum to see the historic library associated with the story.
She explained that the library was established more than a century ago by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi II, the Sharjah Ruler’s uncle, whose passion for reading helped inspire His Highness’s interest in books.
Al Harmoudi noted that several books in the fort’s collection came from Al Muayyad Bookshop in Bahrain, mentioned in the book. The golden dagger is also preserved at the fort, where visitors can see it alongside the historic library.
Drawing on her experience with children’s centres, she encouraged young people to continue reading and share their enthusiasm with peers, highlighting the role of such institutions in preparing future generations to preserve and manage Sharjah’s cultural and historical heritage.
