News Desk
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates — The 25th Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF), organized by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, concluded its silver jubilee edition on September 26, 2025, under the evocative theme “Travelers’ Tales.” Held from September 22 to 26, the forum transformed Sharjah into a vibrant hub of storytelling, where scholars, writers, and artists gathered to explore the intersections of narrative, memory, and cultural heritage.
This year, the Maldives took center stage as the Guest of Honor, showcasing its rich maritime traditions and oral storytelling legacy. The Maldives’ presence as Guest of Honor enriched the forum’s global dialogue. Leading the Maldivian delegation was Adam Nasir Ibrahim, Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, who delivered a compelling session on the profound influence of Arabic on the Dhivehi language. “Arabic is not just a religious language for us,” Minister Adam Naseer said, “but a cultural bridge that has shaped our vocabulary and grammar for centuries.” He traced the historical ties between the Maldives and the Arab world, forged through trade, religion, and travel, which have embedded Arabic terms into everyday Dhivehi speech.
Minister Adam Naseer, himself a Dhivehi language scholar, remarked on the forum’s mission to foster cross-cultural understanding through storytelling. Joined by historians, scholars, and performing artists, the Maldivian delegation showcased Maldives rich maritime heritage through academic presentations, traditional music, and dance performances.
An exhibition offered a vivid glimpse into the Maldives’ cultural journey, while presentations by experts like national historian Ahmed (Kashimaa) Shakir highlighted the enduring legacy of the country’s oral traditions.
The forum’s broader program wove together workshops, storytelling sessions, and discussions centered on legendary travelers like Ibn Battuta, whose 14th-century travel journal, A Gift to the Beholders of the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travel, remains a touchstone of global exploration. Ibn Battuta’s accounts, beginning in the knowledge-rich city of Tangier, resonated with the forum’s celebration of curiosity and cross-cultural exchange.
Sharjah, long a champion of literature and heritage preservation, used the occasion to reaffirm its role as a global cultural crossroads. The SINF’s silver jubilee not only honored the art of storytelling but also built lasting bridges between civilizations, with the Maldives’ vibrant participation serving as a testament to the enduring power of shared narratives. As attendees departed they carried with them a renewed appreciation for the stories that connect humanity across time and borders.
