4th international book fair opens in Najaf

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: The Najaf provincial council chief opened on Friday the 4th international book fair with participation of more than 100 Arab and foreign publishers, according to the al-Ataba al-Alawiya (Imam Ali Shrine) media director. “ Al-Ataba al-Alawiya , which holds the event, opened the fair in the presence of the Najaf provincial council chief with participation of 105 Arab and foreign publishers,” Hashim al-Bajiji told IraqiNews.com news agency. “The fair comprises a host of topics by national and foreign publishing houses, including 24 from Iraq, and more than 80 from Arab and non-Arab countries,” he said. Bajiji noted that the fair also includes several academic titles in law, politics, Arab literature, women, youths and children’s affairs and others. “The fair, which showcases more than 50,000 books this year, coincides with the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday and Najaf’s celebration as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2010,” he said. The holy Shiite city of Najaf, said to be home of the shrine of Imam Ali, a top holiest figure for Shiite Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, lies 160 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AmR (TS) 817