The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) has signed an MoU with noted author Dr Salma Al Jayyousi, to publish the first encyclopaedia in English on the Arab and Islamic Civilisation in Sicily from the 8th–13th century.

The book will trace the Islamic civilisation’s most significant imprints on the island, particularly on diverse aspects of life such as agriculture, commerce, architecture and economy.

'The Foundation’s initiatives not only aim to enhance the knowledge capabilities of the Arab world, but also serve to highlight the status of the Arab culture on the international arena,' stated Jamal Al Shehhi, director–Culture Development, MBRF.

'Achieving this objective requires concerted intellectual and cultural dialogue with the rest of the world. Other cultures would not enter into this dialogue unless they are fully aware of the essence of the Arabic culture, and comprehend its phenomenal contribution to world civilisation.'

Expected to be completed in two years, the encyclopaedia will include more than 30 different researches, and will focus on Sicily’s Islamic and Arabic heritage including art and literature, while detailing the circumstances that brought together three Arab geographers on the island namely Ibn Hawqal, Ibn Jubayr and Al Idrissi.

'This latest initiative reiterates the Foundation’s aim to encourage the production of books in foreign languages, especially English, and is therefore collaborating with Arab writers and intellectuals who possess a command over these languages.'

'Writing in foreign languages will enable readers from other cultures to learn about the intellectual wealth of the Arab world while communicating the Arab perspective to diverse cultures and schools of thinking around the world,' Al Shehhi added.-TradeArabia News Service