Publishers from Around the World Meet in Istanbul

Throughout the Summit, publishers, academics, authors, intellectuals, and representatives of cultural institutions came together to discuss the current challenges, opportunities, and future of Islamic publishing.

A wide range of issues were addressed, including international publishing cooperation, copyright and translation, international book fairs, distribution networks and bookstores, children’s publishing, Islamic publishing standards, education and cultural initiatives, international relations, research and development, media and promotion, legal and ethical issues, as well as digital publishing, data, and new technologies.

One of the central components of the Summit was the work conducted through 12 thematic Round Tables. Publishers and experts from different countries exchanged experiences and developed proposals for the future activities of the Union.

The reports and recommendations emerging from these Round Tables are now being compiled by the General Secretariat and will form the basis of the IUIBP 2026–2029 Strategic Roadmap. Permanent commissions will subsequently be established by the Board of Directors to transform these recommendations into concrete programmes, projects, and international partnerships.

New Board of Directors Elected for 2026–2029

One of the most important outcomes of the First General Assembly was the election of the governing bodies that will lead IUIBP during the 2026–2029 term.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bulut was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Union of Islamic Book Publishers.

Following the General Assembly, the newly elected Board of Directors held its first meeting and completed the internal distribution of responsibilities. Dar Al-Manhal of Jordan assumed the Vice Chairmanship, while Semerkand Verlag of Germany assumed responsibility for the Treasury.

The new Board brings together publishers and institutions from different regions of the world, reflecting the international and geographically diverse character of IUIBP.

Institutions represented on the Board of Directors include:

• Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bulut – Türkiye
• Dar Al-Manhal – Jordan
• Semerkand Verlag – Germany
• Kube Publishing – United Kingdom
• Mizan Publishing – Indonesia
• International Islamic University Malaysia – Malaysia
• Ibn Kather Publishing – Syria
• International Islamic University – Pakistan
• İnsan Publishing – Türkiye
• Erkam Publishing – Nigeria
• Sidr Publishing – United Kingdom
• MMI Publishing – India
• Mavera Foundation Publishing – Türkiye
• Hilal Nashr – Uzbekistan
• Logos-A – North Macedonia

This diverse representation brings together publishing experience from Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa under a common international platform.

Audit Board

The Audit Board elected for the new term also reflects the international structure of the Union and includes representatives of publishing institutions from different countries:

• Nar Publications – Türkiye
• Digital Future – Saudi Arabia
• Âlemü’l-Ma‘rife – Algeria
• Ink Publishing – Canada
• Ali Gator – Australia
• İpekyolu – Azerbaijan

The Board of Directors and Audit Board will work together to strengthen the institutional structure, transparency, and sustainable development of the Union during the 2026–2029 term.

25 International Figures Selected for the Advisory Board

Another significant outcome of the General Assembly was the establishment of the Union’s international Advisory Board.

A total of 25 distinguished international figures from the fields of academia, literature, intellectual thought, culture, and the arts were selected to serve on the Advisory Board.

Comprising respected academics, authors, intellectuals, thinkers, and cultural figures from different parts of the world, the Advisory Board will contribute its knowledge, experience, and international perspective to the Union’s long-term vision and strategic development.

The Advisory Board is also expected to strengthen the intellectual and cultural dimension of IUIBP and contribute to expanding its relations with academic, cultural, and international institutions.

A Global Publishing Network Across 72 Countries

With 241 member publishers from 72 countries, IUIBP aims to establish a sustainable international network connecting publishers, authors, translators, scholars, cultural institutions, distributors, bookstores, and other stakeholders of the publishing ecosystem.

During the 2026–2029 period, the Union will focus particularly on strengthening cooperation among its members, facilitating copyright and translation partnerships, developing joint international publishing projects, increasing cooperation at international book fairs, strengthening distribution networks, supporting Islamic children’s publishing, promoting professional standards, and encouraging digital transformation within the publishing sector.

The Union will also work actively to develop institutional relations with international organizations, universities, cultural institutions, publishing associations, book fairs, and other relevant organizations around the world.

From Dialogue to Joint Projects

Following the First General Assembly, IUIBP enters a new phase focused on transforming the ideas and recommendations developed in Istanbul into sustainable international cooperation and concrete projects.

The Union considers strong institutional partnerships to be one of the key pillars of its new term. It therefore seeks to maintain and further develop its relations with institutions across the world and to create new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as publishing, copyright and translation, cultural exchange, education, research, international book fairs, professional development, and digital publishing.

International book fairs will also serve as important meeting points for members of the Union. The Sharjah International Book Fair in November will be one of the first opportunities for IUIBP members from different countries to meet again following the Istanbul Summit.

A New Chapter Begins in Istanbul

The First General Assembly and International Islamic Publishing Summit represented not only an institutional milestone for IUIBP, but also the beginning of a new chapter for international cooperation in Islamic publishing.

Bringing together more than 200 publishing houses from 60 countries in Istanbul, with the support of nearly 40 national and international institutions, the gathering demonstrated the growing need for stronger communication, professional cooperation, and joint action among publishers working across different languages, cultures, and regions.

In the coming period, the General Secretariat will coordinate the implementation of the decisions taken by the General Assembly, compile the reports of the 12 Round Tables, complete the 2026–2029 Strategic Roadmap, and support the establishment and activities of the Union’s permanent commissions.

With its network spanning 72 countries, its newly elected governing bodies, and its international Advisory Board, the International Union of Islamic Book Publishers begins the 2026–2029 term with a commitment to building stronger connections, developing meaningful partnerships, and turning a shared vision into concrete projects for the global publishing community.