Islamic Affairs Ministry Welcomes Visitors at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is welcoming visitors at a dedicated booth within the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, which opened on Wednesday at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition Center and runs for five days. The fair brings together more than 130 countries and 4,130 exhibitors, providing a global platform for the Kingdom to showcase its commitment to serving the Holy Quran and advancing Islamic work through modern technology and digital innovation.

Context and Background

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest trade fair for books and media, attracting publishers, cultural institutions, and government representatives from across the globe. Saudi Arabia’s participation reflects its broader strategy to engage with international audiences, share its cultural and religious heritage, and highlight the modernization efforts underway as part of Vision 2030. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, under the leadership of Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, has consistently leveraged such international platforms to demonstrate the Kingdom’s role as a global leader in Islamic services and interfaith dialogue.

The ministry’s presence at the fair is organized under the umbrella of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, coordinated by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, a key body within the Ministry of Culture. This collaboration underscores the integrated approach Saudi Arabia takes in presenting its cultural and religious dimensions to the world.

Key Details

At the ministry’s booth, visitors are introduced to a curated selection of publications from the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, the world’s foremost institution dedicated to the printing and distribution of the Holy Quran. The complex produces millions of copies annually in multiple languages and distributes them globally, embodying the Kingdom’s commitment to making the Holy Book accessible to Muslims everywhere.

The booth also showcases the stages of Quran printing, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous process that ensures the highest standards of accuracy and reverence. This educational component highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to care for, serve, print, and disseminate the Book of Allah worldwide, a mission that has been central to the Kingdom’s religious leadership for decades.

In addition to physical publications, the ministry is presenting its digital services through the Rushd app, which offers a range of features including the Electronic Web Quran Service, prayer times based on the Umm Al-Qura Calendar, the Qibla direction service, and the Correct Quotation app. These tools reflect the ministry’s adoption of modern technology to enhance accessibility and convenience for users around the world.

One of the most engaging experiences at the booth is the three-dimensional virtual Hajj, available in several languages including Arabic, English, French, and Urdu. This immersive simulation allows visitors to virtually experience the rituals of Hajj, providing both educational value and a glimpse into the spiritual journey undertaken by millions of pilgrims annually. It also demonstrates the ministry’s innovative use of technology to support Islamic work and advance its mission.

Visitors are further introduced to the ministry’s various official electronic media platforms, which provide specialized news services covering the ministry’s news, programs, and initiatives, ensuring transparent and real-time communication with the public.

International Impact

The ministry’s participation at the Frankfurt Book Fair carries significant international implications. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for Islamic knowledge and a leader in the digital transformation of religious services. By engaging with a diverse international audience, the Kingdom fosters cross-cultural understanding and showcases its commitment to moderation and tolerance, values that are central to its religious outreach.

Furthermore, the fair provides an opportunity for the ministry to build partnerships with international publishers, technology firms, and cultural organizations. Such collaborations can lead to the wider dissemination of Quranic publications and the expansion of digital services, benefiting Muslims worldwide. The presence of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, featuring various cultural and religious entities, also highlights the Kingdom’s comprehensive approach to cultural diplomacy.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ activities at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 are closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly its goals of enhancing the Kingdom’s global standing, promoting cultural exchange, and leveraging digital innovation. Vision 2030 emphasizes the importance of serving pilgrims and enhancing the quality of Islamic services, objectives that are directly supported by the ministry’s initiatives such as the Rushd app and the virtual Hajj experience.

By participating in prestigious international events like the Frankfurt Book Fair, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its commitment to sharing its rich Islamic heritage and technological advancements with the world. This engagement not only strengthens the Kingdom’s role as a leader in the Islamic world but also contributes to the broader goals of Vision 2030 by fostering economic diversification, promoting tourism, and building bridges of understanding between cultures. As the fair continues, the ministry’s booth stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s enduring dedication to serving Islam and Muslims globally.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance participating in at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026?

A1. The ministry is participating with a dedicated booth within the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, showcasing its publications, digital services, and interactive experiences to international visitors at the fair.

Q2. Where and when is the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 taking place?

A2. The fair is being held at the Messe Frankfurt Exhibition Center in Frankfurt, Germany, and runs for five days, having opened on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Q3. How many countries and exhibitors are participating in the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026?

A3. More than 130 countries and 4,130 exhibitors are participating, making it one of the largest international book fairs in the world.

Q4. What publications are being showcased at the ministry’s booth?

A4. The booth features a selection of publications from the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in printing and distributing the Holy Quran worldwide.

Q5. What is the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex?

A5. It is the world’s foremost institution dedicated to printing the Holy Quran, producing millions of copies annually in multiple languages and distributing them globally to serve Muslims everywhere.

Q6. What digital services are available through the Rushd app?

A6. The Rushd app offers the Electronic Web Quran Service, prayer times based on the Umm Al-Qura Calendar, the Qibla direction service, and the Correct Quotation app, among other features.

Q7. What is the virtual Hajj experience offered at the booth?

A7. It is a three-dimensional virtual simulation of the Hajj rituals, available in Arabic, English, French, and Urdu, allowing visitors to experience the spiritual journey interactively.

Q8. In how many languages is the virtual Hajj experience available?

A8. The virtual Hajj experience is available in four languages: Arabic, English, French, and Urdu, reflecting the ministry’s commitment to accessibility for a diverse global audience.

Q9. What electronic media platforms does the ministry operate?

A9. The ministry operates various official electronic media platforms that provide specialized news services covering its news, programs, and initiatives, ensuring transparent communication with the public.

Q10. How does the ministry’s participation align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A10. It aligns with Vision 2030 by enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global standing, promoting cultural exchange, and leveraging digital innovation to serve pilgrims and improve Islamic services.

Q11. What is the significance of showcasing Quran printing stages at the fair?

A11. It educates visitors about the meticulous process of producing the Holy Quran, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s dedication to accuracy, reverence, and high standards in serving the Book of Allah.

Q12. How does the ministry use technology to support Islamic work?

A12. The ministry uses technology through apps like Rushd and the virtual Hajj experience to make Islamic services more accessible, interactive, and convenient for users worldwide.

Q13. What is the Umm Al-Qura Calendar?

A13. The Umm Al-Qura Calendar is the official calendar of Saudi Arabia, used to determine prayer times and Islamic dates, and it is integrated into the Rushd app for accurate scheduling.

Q14. What is the Correct Quotation app?

A14. The Correct Quotation app is a digital tool offered by the ministry that provides verified and accurate quotations from Islamic sources, ensuring authenticity in religious references.

Q15. How does the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the fair promote the Kingdom’s culture?

A15. The pavilion, coordinated by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, showcases Saudi Arabia’s cultural and religious heritage through various exhibits, publications, and interactive experiences.

Q16. What role does the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission play?

A16. It coordinates Saudi Arabia’s participation in international book fairs, including the Frankfurt Book Fair, to promote Saudi literature, publishing, and cultural exchange globally.

Q17. Who leads the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance?

A17. The ministry is led by Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, who oversees its mission to serve Islam and Muslims worldwide.

Q18. What are the key objectives of the ministry’s booth at the fair?

A18. The booth aims to introduce visitors to the ministry’s publications, digital services, and technological innovations, while highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in serving the Holy Quran and Islamic work.

Q19. How does the fair contribute to cross-cultural understanding?

A19. By engaging with an international audience, the fair fosters dialogue and showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to moderation, tolerance, and cultural exchange, building bridges between different cultures.

Q20. What future opportunities does the ministry’s participation create?

A20. It opens avenues for partnerships with international publishers and technology firms, potentially expanding the reach of Quranic publications and digital services to benefit Muslims globally.

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