Minister of Information reviews documentary, heritage, and cultural content at the Sultan’s Library in Mukalla City.

In a recent cultural and educational endeavor, Muammar Al-Eryani, the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, accompanied by Saleh Al-Amoudi, the Secretary-General of the Local Council in Hadramout, made a significant visit to the Sultanate Library in the city of Mukalla.

The delegation was warmly received by Yahya Al-Thulaya, the Head of the General Authority for Books, Publishing, and Distribution, along with Abdulhakim Bin Qadim, the Director-General of the Authority’s branch in the Hadramout coast, and Mohammed Al-Hamed, the Library’s Secretary.

During his visit, Al-Eryani explored the library’s extensive documentary, heritage, and cultural content. Established in the mid-1930s and moved to its current location in 1941 by its founder, Sultan Saleh bin Ghalib Al Qu’aiti, the library is recognized as the oldest in the Arabian Peninsula.

Al-Eryani toured the library’s various wings and sections, examining valuable collections that span over two centuries, including books on medicine, art, engineering, philosophy, languages, and various other fields. He listened to a summary of the library’s evolutionary stages, its additions, and its equipment needs from the library’s secretary.

Expressing his admiration, Al-Eryani highlighted the library’s astonishing richness and diversity, describing it as a unique national, heritage, and human knowledge archive.

He extended his gratitude and appreciation to the library staff for their role in preserving and maintaining its active status despite the country’s challenging circumstances. Special acknowledgment was given to Abdullah Omar Al-Sakouti, the library’s director and pioneer, for his significant contributions to its development and preservation.

Al-Eryani reaffirmed the government’s commitment, represented by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, to establishing and developing public libraries. He emphasized their role as enlightening and educational centers for youth and students, aiming to combat negative phenomena, confront destructive ideas and extremism, and fortify the younger generation with sound national awareness to fulfill their roles in building and development effectively.

He commended the local authority, led by Governor Bin Madi, for supporting the library and meeting its urgent needs, which has contributed to its preservation. Al-Eryani expressed the ministry’s readiness to support the library by providing necessary funding and expertise to enhance its services and digitalize its archives.

Furthermore, the minister was briefed by the Head of the General Authority for Books and the Director of its branch in Hadramout about the reality of the authority in the region, its library and administrative facilities, and the challenges they face.

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