Istanbul: The 11th Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair commenced today in Istanbul, attracting an impressive array of more than 300 publishing houses from over 30 countries. Scheduled to run until August 23, the event is projected to draw over 120,000 visitors under the banner “The Story Continues.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Istanbul Book Fair holds the distinction of being the largest Arabic book fair outside the Arab world and is officially accredited by the Arab Publishers Association in Cairo. The fair serves as a pivotal meeting point for professionals in publishing, culture, and academia, providing a platform for students, academics, educators, readers, writers, journalists, and researchers from diverse backgrounds to converge.

The opening day of the fair also marked the introduction of the “World Assembly for the Holy Quran,” launched by numerous scholars from the Islamic world. A statement from the assembly’s founding body revealed the inception of this global initiative aimed at uniting Quranic institutions, centers, schools, and academies worldwide. Originating from the spiritual precincts of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, the assembly seeks to foster unity and collaboration among Quranic entities.

The founding body emphasized that the assembly’s creation was driven by a desire to connect thousands of Quranic institutions globally, transforming individual initiatives into collective endeavors. This vision was warmly received by scholars and institutions, who recognized the assembly as addressing a crucial need within the Muslim community.

The assembly is designed not as a competing entity but as a supportive global platform, enhancing the efforts of existing institutions while maintaining their independence. It aims to establish a comprehensive knowledge base for Quranic work, assess institutional strengths and needs, and facilitate cooperative efforts.

The founding body outlined the assembly’s aspirations, focusing on four key dimensions: accurate memorization, correct understanding, upright conduct, and a sustainable societal impact. The initiative has garnered widespread support from Quranic and scholarly figures worldwide, with numerous institutions expressing their desire to join the assembly’s collaborative network.