Syrian expatriate turns his own home library into a public library to encourage reading

In an individual initiative that aims at encouraging reading on paper, Syrian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates Hassan Al-Bahri has turned his own home library into a public library.

Al-Bahri told SANA about the details of this initiative, saying that he started to organize a small library in his house ten years ago. The library contained a limited number of books he had selected during his visits to libraries. Gradually, he collected many important books that inspired him to allocate an area of 110 square meters of his house for a public library which people can visit either to read or borrow books.

“I wanted to create an opportunity to enhance culture and literature away from financial benefits with the aim  of reviving the habit of reading on paper which has become rare under the current technological developments,” Al-Bahri made it clear.

The new library contains 8000 books covering different domains.

Al-Bahri is from Syrian province of Sweida. His initiative embodies the originality and ancient history of the Syrian people. He is looking forward to implementing this initiative soon in Syria, stressing that he has chosen a suitable place and will work to supply this place with books through offices and people inside the country, with the aim of enhancing interest in books, culture and knowledge.

 Hamda Mustafa