Expected to be completed in two years, the book deals with a number of important topics such as the history of Sicily prior, during and after the two hundred years of Islamic reign and how the Arabic and Islamic identity dominated there for another two centuries after Muslims had left it.

The book is the first comprehensive work that details those impacts in all aspects of life including the advanced systems in agriculture, commerce, architecture and economy Arabs have established there. 

The book, which is expected to include more than 30 different researches, will handle a lot of issues related to the Islamic and Arabic heritage in Sicily including art and literature as well as highlight the existing remains from that period. It also discusses the circumstances that brought together three Arab geographers on the Island namely, Ibn Hawqal, Ibn Jubayr and Al Idrissi.  

Commenting on the collaboration between the Foundation and Dr. Salma Al Jayyousi, Jamal Al Shehhi, Director–Culture Development, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said: “The initiatives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation do not only enhance knowledge capabilities in the Arab world, but emphasize the status of the Arab culture on the international level as well.” 

Al Shehhi added: “Building the knowledge capabilities in the Arab region requires an effective intellectual and cultural dialogue with the rest of the world. Other cultures would not enter into this dialogue unless they understand the Arabic culture and its background and how it has contributed to the world civilization in al fields.” 

Through its latest initiative, the Foundation aims to encourage writing in foreign languages, especially the most widespread such as English, in collaboration with Arab writers and intellectuals who are proficient in writing in those languages. Writing in foreign languages enables readers from other cultures to learn about the richness of the intellectual output of the Arab world as well as helping the Arab thought to reach different cultures and schools of thinking around the world. 

Initiatives of the Culture Sector at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation integrate with the other two sectors: Knowledge and Education and Employment and Entrepreneurship to create a society of informed and talented individuals dedicated to the overall development of the Arab world.