Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi unveils Let Them Know She Is Here at SIBF 2025 — a poetic, research-driven reflection on Arab queens and cultural identity.
SHARJAH: A blend of memory, research, and cultural reflection comes alive in Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha, the latest book by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, launched at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025). Published by Rewayat, an imprint of Kalimat Group, the book fuses personal insight with historical and archaeological inquiry to rediscover the role of Arab women in early civilisation.
In the book’s evocative foreword, Sheikha Bodour describes the work as “a sacred weaving of memory and myth,” tracing the echoes of ancestry and exploring how identity connects to land, history, and belonging. The narrative unfolds in two parts — one focused on philosophical reflection, the other on academic research into the matriarchal legacies of the Arabian Peninsula, especially in Mleiha.
Rooted in a deep sense of place, the book uncovers evidence of Arab queens whose influence once shaped dynasties. Among these are the Queen of Sheba, Queen Zenobia, the Moon Queens of Saba, and Queen Shams — with insights drawn from artefacts like the Abiel coins and archaeological findings in Mleiha that hint at dynasties ruled by women.
Through a scholarly yet lyrical lens, the book presents a cartographic journey across ancient Arabia, mapping the reigns of these queens and inviting readers to reinterpret regional history with women at its centre. It integrates references from Arab literary giants like Al-Mutanabbi and Abu Nuwas alongside global voices such as Lorca and Campbell, enriched further by religious texts and Sufi writings.
Beyond historical retelling, the book reflects Sheikha Bodour’s personal journey as a mountaineer, academic, and advocate, merging lived experience with intellectual exploration. The result is a work that challenges traditional narratives while celebrating the enduring spirit and leadership of Arab women across centuries.
