Istanbul will host Arabic Book Fair for the first time between Nov. 6 and Nov.15. Arabic Research and Publishing Association President Nevvaf al-Kudeymi announced that nearly 1 million Arabs are living in Istanbul. "Among these people there are numerous intellectuals, researchers and political activists. It is important for us to hold this fair in Istanbul. Despite the number of Arabs living in Istanbul, there are not enough publications in Arabic," al-Kudeymi added.

The Arabic Research and Publishing Association plans to open a branch in Istanbul and use this fair as a means to conduct market research for future projects. The fair will welcome 50 publishing houses from various Arab countries and feature books on philosophy, culture, politics and literature. The fair will open doors today and run until Nov. 15 from 10:00 a.m. every morning until 10:00 p.m. There will be conferences, panel sessions and various cultural activities during the fair overseen by Arab writers and intellectuals.