SHARJAH, Jan. 15 -- Zanzibars First Lady and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF), Mariam H. Mwinyi, has said that Zanzibar has a significant contribution to the development of literature and culture, citing the islands long history as a hub of cultural exchange.

Mrs Mwinyi made the remarks when officiating the Sharjah Festival of African Literature and Arts (SFAL 2026) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, noting that Zanzibars unique heritage was shaped by centuries of interaction through monsoon trade routes that linked Africa, the Arab world, the Indian subcontinent, and the Far East.

Additionally, she stated that Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to embody the concept of &...