About us

Al-Warrak Publishing was founded in 1990 by Majed Shubber, building on a cultural initiative that had taken shape in the preceding decade. From the outset, the house was conceived as a distinctive publishing space with a clear intellectual character, committed to connecting Arab readers with important scholarship from both the Arab world and beyond.

The press established itself through the publication of works in historical, social, and intellectual studies, alongside travel literature and folklore. These areas remain integral to its identity and continue to guide the development of its catalogue.

International engagement has long been part of Al-Warrak’s structure. Its activity in London began in the 1990s, followed by expansion to Baghdad in 2004, to Beirut in 2010, and to Sharjah in 2020. The main headquarters is located in Beirut, widely regarded as a central capital of Arabic publishing.

Across four decades, Al-Warrak has built substantial experience in translation into Arabic from numerous languages, including English, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. Through sustained cooperation with publishing institutions worldwide, the house has cultivated lasting international partnerships and a programme grounded in intellectual exchange.

Al-Warrak Publishing continues to operate with the conviction that serious books form part of the cultural memory of societies and must remain available to future generations.

Al-Warrak Publishing is guided by a sustained commitment to the advancement of knowledge and the preservation of serious intellectual work. The house approaches publishing as a long-term cultural responsibility, where accuracy, editorial care, and respect for authorship are fundamental principles.

Its programme is shaped by the belief that books contribute to the formation of public understanding and to the continuity of scholarly traditions. For this reason, editorial choices are made according to intellectual merit and historical value, rather than passing trends. Independence remains essential. Al-Warrak seeks to provide a stable environment in which research, translation, and critical inquiry can circulate freely and reach readers across generations.

Through this commitment, the publishing house works to sustain dialogue between past and present, ensuring that influential ideas remain active within contemporary life.

The works of Ali Al-Wardi occupy a central place in the cultural mission of AL-Warrak Publishing. His scholarship reshaped modern understanding of Iraqi society and opened new paths in Arab social thought, making the preservation of his writings a responsibility of lasting importance.

AL-Warrak Publishing is the only exclusive and legally authorised publisher of Ali Al-Wardi’s works. This role extends beyond republication. It requires sustained editorial care, the preparation of dependable editions, and continuous attention to the historical record surrounding his intellectual production.

Over many years, the publishing house has worked to assemble dispersed materials, follow documentary traces, and preserve articles, interviews, and related writings that form part of the broader landscape of Al-Wardi’s contribution. This ongoing effort seeks to present his work within a reliable and coherent framework for readers, students, and researchers.

By maintaining the availability of his books and encouraging renewed engagement with them, Al-Warrak ensures that Al-Wardi’s thought remains active in the present while safeguarded for the future.

Through this responsibility, the house affirms its dedication to sustaining one of the most significant legacies in modern Iraqi scholarship.

AL-Warrak Publishing specialises in works that advance the understanding of society, history, and human experience. Its catalogue is particularly recognised for contributions to historical studies, sociology, and intellectual thought, fields that remain central to the identity of the press.

A major part of the publishing programme is dedicated to research on the development of Arab societies, cultural and religious formations, and long-term patterns of social transformation. Through these publications, AL-Warrak supports serious scholarship and the continued examination of regional and global intellectual heritage.

AL-Warrak also maintains an established interest in travel writing, offering accounts that document encounters between places, cultures, and communities. In parallel, the publisher is committed to the preservation and circulation of folklore and popular heritage, recognising their importance in protecting collective memory.

By bringing together academic research, critical analysis, and the documentation of traditional sources, AL-Warrak Publishing provides readers with works that connect historical depth with contemporary relevance.