Under the auspices of the holy shrines of Imam Al-Hussayn and Al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them): The International Book Fair of Karbala in its twelfth edition is opened, with the participation of more than 180 publishing houses..

Under the auspices of the holy shrines of Imam Al-Hussayn and Al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them): The International Book Fair of Karbala in its twelfth edition is launched on Thursday afternoon the 27th Rajab 1437 AH corresponding to the 5th May 2016 in the area between the two holy shrines, as part of the activities of the World Cultural Festival of Martyrdom Sping, which will last for ten days.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Abd Al-Mahdi Al-Karbalai the High Responsible of the holy shrine of Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him), Engineer Mohamad Al-Ashiqar the General Secretary of the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine and a large number of the officials of the two holy shrines and representativs of the participating publishing houses from inside and outside Iraq.
After cutting the opening ribbon, the attendees of the opening ceremony had a tour in the pavilions, where they were briefed about the books' titles and the news of the fair's twelfth edition.
Sayed Moyassar Akram Al-Hakeem, Director of Karbala International Book Fair and a member of the preparatory committee of the festival has explained the following: "The number of the participating countries in the fair is 13 Arab and foreign countries, namely: Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Syria, Morocco, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Britain, Spain, Canada and Italy. Exhibiting not only religious publications but books in various fields such as the academic, cultural, scientific areas, books for children and women as well as others, to be a comprehensive and integrated exhibition in terms of the titles and the contents."
Adding: "The number of the participation requests have reached more than 300 publishing houses from which 180 were accepted, varied between the academics, universities, research centers, studies centers, children publishing houses, space production institutions, printing, publication and distribution houses. As well as the participation of all the holy shrines inside and outside Iraq in addition to the Shiite sanctuaries and the Shiite and Sunni Endowment. The supervisory committee on the fair has taken procedures to prevent the exhibition of any book that touches the sovereignty of Iraq, raises sectarian, attacking the religious sumbols or discusses unethical aspects."
It is to mention that Karbala International Book Fair is one of the activities of the World Cultural Festival of Martyrdom Sping set up and funded fully by the two General Secretariats of the holy shrines of Imam Al-Hussayn and Al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them) since it was founded eleven years ago to celebrate the grandson of the Holy Prophet (Allah's prayers be upon him and his holy Household); Imam Aba Abdillah Al-Hussayn and his brother Aba Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them).