United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi Book Fair Embraces Noble Message

By Formosa News Group (Originally in Chinese)

 


[Abu Dhabi]
The 19th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair was held from March 17 to 22, Golden Year 6 (2009), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was the largest book fair in recent years and attracted 637 exhibitors from 52 countries. Members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association came from several countries, fully charged with Master’s love, to share with the pious people of Allah information on love for animals, the healthy plant-based diet, environmental protection and saving the Earth.

The exhibition was inaugurated by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who then toured the exhibition and especially stopped at our booth to listen to our fellow initiates introduce Master’s publications. He was delighted to receive our gift of the three international best-selling books, The Noble Wilds, The Birds in My Life and Celestial Art.

Guests from many countries attended the book fair and many came to our booth to read Master’s publications and appreciate the lovely Birds in My Life items. The Dubai representative of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council also visited with us and described, in his special report, the warm response of visitors to our exhibits on environmental protection and love for animals. A gentleman, who was a faithful viewer of Supreme Master Television, purchased almost the entire range of books, DVDs and incidental articles available at our booth. Many people happily bought these blessed mementos as gifts for others. Almost all the books and other items were sold out during the six-day event. Even the swan poster (a precious photo taken personally by Master) that we had used to decorate the booth was highly sought after.

UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reading Master’s best-selling book Celestial Art

In addition to the strong interest in our exhibits, the Love Ocean Creative Puppet Troupe presented seven performances of “The Wish of the Prince” at the popular Children’s Theater. Many teachers brought their students and parents brought their children to enjoy the puppet show. The kids watched attentively and responded enthusiastically to the prize quiz, but what they loved most was shaking hands with the lovely animal puppets. The whole theater was permeated with heart-warming bliss.

Publishers in the Middle East, coming from a rich cultural background, highly admired Master’s extraordinary artistic attainment. Representatives of publishing companies from many countries visited our booth and some suggested that we should actively participate in more book fairs in the region. They were full of praise for Master’s publications, commenting on their exceptionally rich contents and quality printing, which make them excellent gifts.

Fellow initiates took the opportunity to contribute Master’s precious publications to the National Library, the Dubai City Government, VIPs and the book fair convener. On March 18, our Association members, as an exhibitor, participated in the Third Sheikh Zayed Book Award presentation ceremony held at the Emirates Palace Hotel. They interviewed and presented Master’s publications to the Award recipients.

At the invitation of the convener, Madam Vidhu Mittal, an Indian vegetarian chef, demonstrated vegetarian cooking at the venue, to the delight of the visitors. Supreme Master Television made a live recording of the event and interviewed Madam Mittal and the audience. We felt much encouraged and delighted to see the concept of the vegetarian diet begin to take root in this region.

Hoping to disseminate the message of saving the planet, we distributed SOS flyers around the exhibition venue and in Dubai. Many people there were unaware of the global warming crisis. After listening to our explanation, they strongly agreed that this is a critical moment for the world to act together to show their love for our Earth. They were grateful to Master for Her courageous leadership. Many people requested to take home flyers for their friends. Some teachers took flyers for their students; some children took a whole stack and helped us distribute them. After listening to us introduce the Save the Planet campaign and Master’s teachings, an exhibition staff member said he would switch to a plant-based diet and brought his wife to learn vegetarian cooking. Upon hearing about the public-benefit activities of our Association, several local vegetarian restaurants extended their earnest support by helping us with the printing of the SOS flyers in the Arabic language and transporting the books to the book fair.

During this trip, we were delighted to learn that, with the consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs, HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an association under the UAE Police Dog Department had been established to provide information regarding the raising of dogs, and to educate people and elevate their consciousness in loving our animal friends. We visited the Police Dog Department and presented to them some souvenirs that we had brought from afar, including vegetarian dog food, Celestial dog clothes designed by Master, Birdie mugs and The Dogs in My Life books.

We are very grateful for Master’s supreme blessing that made this event a success. Miraculous assistance came from all directions, making it possible to convey Master’s divine love and message to countless thirsty souls.