The 35th Doha International Book Fair, which concluded on May 23, attracted a wide audience ranging from literary enthusiasts and intellectuals to younger generations, signaling a growing engagement with reading in Qatar. A key highlight of the event was a session focused on the “Reading Guide” initiative, aimed at fostering a culture of reading across all age groups.

The session, titled “A Journey to Building a Reading Culture,” featured presentations by key figures involved in the initiative, including Houda al-Rashed, head of the “Reading Guide” service, and participants Mohammed al-Tamimi, Ibrahim al-Janahi, and Abdullah Suhail. The discussion was held in the presence of HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Culture, who has provided ongoing support to the project.

Al-Rashed explained that the initiative was conceived to empower readers and expand the reach of reading throughout society, emphasizing the importance of sustained support for the project’s success. Initially targeting adults, the program’s success led to the development of the “Little Reading Guide,” designed to encourage children to engage with books early in life and develop lasting reading habits.

The selection process for the initiative’s participants involved personal interviews and strict criteria focused on social engagement and cultural participation. Those accepted received specialized training to evaluate books effectively and offer reading recommendations tailored to different age groups and cognitive needs, ensuring that readers receive guidance suited to their interests and comprehension levels.

Mohammed al-Tamimi highlighted that the “Reading Guide” serves a broad demographic, including children, adults, and academics. He pointed out that researchers, in particular, benefit from access to specialized scientific references that aid their academic pursuits. Ibrahim al-Janahi noted that the team utilizes surveys and artificial intelligence to personalize reading suggestions, enhancing user engagement by recommending books that span genres from novels to religious texts. This technology is incorporated through interactive displays on the initiative’s website, which also aim to make the experience more appealing to younger readers.

Abdullah Suhail described the “Reading Guide” service within Doha Magazine as a comprehensive platform open to all age groups, helping readers select material that matches their preferences and reinforcing the magazine’s role as an interactive space that supports a reading culture.

In addition to discussions on reading promotion, the Doha International Book Fair also featured a seminar organized by the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue. Moderated by Dr. Sekou Marafa Touré, the session delved into recent scholarly publications on interfaith dialogue. Speakers included Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Zein, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and Dr. Salem al-Kouri from Qatar University. Dr. Zein presented his English-language book, *The Covenant with God: The Cornerstone of Islam*, co-authored with researchers from Griffith University in Australia. Meanwhile, Dr. al-Kouri discussed his work, *Common Doctrinal Principles in the Abrahamic Religions and Establishing the Foundations of Coexistence*, which explores philosophical frameworks for coexistence among religious traditions.

Overall, the 35th edition of the Doha International Book Fair underscored Qatar’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth, cultural engagement, and a robust reading culture through targeted initiatives and scholarly dialogue.