“In the community of books and knowledge there is no place for fear,” said Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja while opening the fair. “Those who fear books and other intellectual activity do not know what books are.”

He stressed the need for accommodating different viewpoints.

Khoja said he is delighted by the growing cultural awareness among young Saudi men and women. “They read a lot and think a lot … and think differently. They also make use of modern communication means.”

The minister welcomed India as a guest of honor and commended the two countries’ joint contributions to civilization.

He emphasized the role of books in changing the world and improving lives of human beings.  “The Riyadh International Book Fair has become an important annual event in the Arab world,” he said.

This year, more than 700 publishing houses from 30 countries with over 280,000 titles are participating. Featured books are in English, French, Persian and Turkish, among other languages.

Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad said it was an excellent opportunity to promote India’s literary achievements to Saudis and other Arab communities and to highlight various aspects of Indo-Arab relations with regard to history, literature, media and the arts.

The ministry had invited 85 international personalities along with 300 local figures as guests to the fair.

Deputy Minister for Cultural Affairs Abdullah Al-Jasser had said that all books are vetted beforehand and books that attack religion and glorify magic or sex would not be allowed at the fair.

He, however, said that no body, including the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has the right to withdraw or ban books from the fair except the ministry.