Arab Cultural Merit Awarded To Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi By ALECSO

The Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) has honoured His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, with the Arab Cultural Merit—First Class. This award was presented during a ceremony at ALECSO's headquarters in Tunis. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, accepted the award on behalf of His Highness.

The event was attended by notable figures including Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, and Dr. Eman Al Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia. Ambassadors from various Arab countries and prominent intellectuals also participated. The ceremony began with a speech by ALECSO's Director-General, who introduced the Arab Cultural Merit award as a recognition for significant contributions to Arab culture.

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Dr. Ould Amar highlighted the award's purpose: "This award aims to recognise the efforts of pioneering individuals and institutions that have contributed to presenting Arab culture to the world with its humanitarian and civilisational depth while enriching the cultural landscape and promoting Arab identity and knowledge values." He emphasised that His Highness is an exemplary figure in various domains.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has been instrumental in numerous cultural initiatives. These include the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, which holds a Guinness World Record as the largest dictionary ever created. His financial support for ALECSO has also facilitated projects like the Encyclopaedia of Prominent Arab and Muslim Scholars and Writers.

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, remarked in a recorded message: "Today, we celebrate the awarding of the Arab Cultural Merit – First Class – to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, in recognition of his cultural and intellectual journey." He noted how Sharjah has become a hub for creativity due to His Highness’s vision.

His Highness’s initiatives extend globally with projects like the Islamic Cultural Centre in Germany and Azzagra Cultural Centre in Spain. He has also established Quran memorisation schools across Africa. These efforts aim to strengthen cultural ties within the Arab world through organisations like the Arab Theatre Authority.

A Legacy of Cultural Leadership

Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais conveyed greetings from His Highness during his speech at the ceremony: "With Arab affection and brotherhood, I am honoured to convey greetings from the Emirate of Sharjah." He praised ALECSO’s role in fostering pan-Arab cultural collaboration.

Al Owais highlighted His Highness’s dedication over fifty years to building Sharjah’s cultural landscape through theatres, museums, cultural centres, and libraries. These efforts have led to Sharjah being recognised as a centre for literature and theatre on a global scale.

Cultural Initiatives Across Regions

The Ruler of Sharjah’s commitment extends beyond local borders through partnerships across the region. The Arab Theatre Authority revitalises theatre with national festivals and annual events held in different countries. Houses of Poetry have been established in nations like Jordan and Egypt to support poetry year-round.

His Highness places great importance on preserving Arabic language heritage through initiatives like the Historical Dictionary project completed in seven years. This dedication underscores his belief that culture is vital for human development.

Acknowledging Achievements

The ceremony included a presentation showcasing key milestones achieved by His Highness both locally and internationally within cultural arenas. It traced back to when he initiated Sharjah’s cultural project based on his belief that culture drives national progress.

An exhibition featuring books authored by His Highness was also part of this eventful day; it displayed historical works alongside theatrical writings among other literary contributions made by him over time.

With inputs from WAM