H.H. Sheikh Mohammed opens library worth AED 1 billion

The book-shaped Mohammed bin Rashid Library, overlooking the Dubai Creek, has been inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Built at a cost of AED1 billion, the seven-storey facility, located in Al Jaddaf, has nine specialised libraries with more than a million books and over six million research articles.

The library aims to cultivate a culture of reading, while supporting the development of creativity, knowledge and art at both individual and social levels.

It will officially open its doors to the public on Thursday, June 16.

"Today we launch a cultural and intellectual edifice for our new generations, through which we aim to promote reading, spread knowledge and support researchers and scientists ... Our goal is to illuminate the human mind," said Sheikh Mohammed.

. @HHShkMohd inaugurates AED1 billion ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Library’, a new landmark to reinforce UAE’s position as the region’s cultural and creative capital. #Dubai pic.twitter.com/uKWzvn7eyq

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 13, 2022

‘Mohammed bin Rashid Library’#Dubai pic.twitter.com/hzHiBv7jNy

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 13, 2022

Sheikh Mohammed toured the various sections and facilities of the new cultural landmark, and reviewed the library’s collection, which will reinforce the UAE’s position as the region’s capital for culture and creativity, and an incubator for intellectual and literary initiatives.

The opening event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council; Mohammed Al Gergawi, Secretary General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives; Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation and a number of ministers, director generals of government departments and senior officials.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Library features a significant amount of content.

This includes more than 1.1 million printed and digital books in Arabic and foreign languages, over 6 million dissertations, around 73,000 music scores, 75,000 videos, and more than 5,000 historical print and digital journals within an archive covering 325 years, along with about 35,000 print and digital newspapers from around the world, and nearly 500 rare collectibles.