The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai opened its doors on 5 November 2026 to celebrate the launch of Emirati writer Jamal Al Shehhi’s book Here, Wisconsin: A Gulf Arab Between Two Worlds. The event was a discussion on the experience of living and studying in the United States and how such exposure shapes identity, belonging, and memory.
Dr Sulaiman Al Hattlan moderated a session that gathered several prominent figures. The panel included Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation; Dr Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research; Dr Mohammed Salem AlMazrooei, a board member of the library foundation; and Emirati author Abdul Ghaffar Hussein.
During remarks, Al Murr placed the book in the broader tradition of Arab literature that explores travel and study abroad, noting the questions it raises about progress, difference, and engagement with the other. He highlighted how the narrative shows the UAE as a homeland of roots while Wisconsin represents a space of transformation and self‑discovery, intertwining nostalgia with reflections on belonging.
Key Takeaways
Al Murr and the panel leaders underscored the library’s mission to support Emirati authors and foster dialogue around literary and human experiences. They noted that hosting book launches like this helps strengthen the presence of books in the cultural landscape and promotes reading as a space for connection and the exchange of ideas.
