Kalima also requests feedback from Americans on the novel that best embodies the spirit of our country. (The form has no question about your nationality, so I guess non-American lovers of American literature are also welcome to vote). I unoriginally, but sincerely, nominated the Great Gatsby, but easily might have chosen 10 other books. If you are inspired, post your choice in comments.
The Independent (UK) has a brief background on Kalima here. It's important to look at this initiative as a piece of a broader campaign by Abu Dhabi to promote cultural development in literature, science, entertainment, history … and other things yet to come.
With respect to this initiative, I can hear an opposition argument forming in my head that perhaps the importing of foreign literature will stifle the growth of the local/native/national literary scene. I think that argument is, frankly, silly. The idea that a culture can reach a saturation point for books demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the way that thought communities grow – wide exposure and greater stimulation can only be a good thing.
It will, of course, be curious to observe how Kalima navigates issues of censorship, internally and in their anticipated distribution centers.
(Picture is a the book cover of Kalima's translation of Alan Greenspan's book, The Age of Turbulence).