The name Sharjah finds its root in the Arabic words for ‘sunrise’ and ‘light of knowledge’. In keeping with its namesake, the emirate has served as Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014 and in 1998, Unesco recognised it as the cultural capital of the Arab world.
Since 1972, the emirate has been ruled by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and a patron of art and culture.
His focus was transforming Sharjah into a beacon of culture and knowledge for the entire country, and it now boasts 17 museums, an annual international book fair, which started in 1982, as well as housing of the Sharjah Biennial and the Sharjah Arts Foundation, which elevated the city’s status both regionally and internationally.
Dr Shaikh Sultan is the 18th Ruler of Sharjah in a chain of Al Qasimi rulers since the year 1630. He served as the UAE Minister of Education in 1971-72.
As Ruler of Sharjah, Dr Shaikh Sultan has led the social, economic and cultural development of the emirate. In addition, Dr Shaikh Sultan has devoted considerable effort and resources to promote intercultural interaction and dialogue among people. He is known throughout the region as a firm believer in the significance of the role arts and culture play in bridging the minds and souls of the people of the world. Towards this end, he initiated the touring Sharjah Cultural Festivals, which bring aspects of Arab and Islamic arts and culture to the cities around the world.
Dr Shaikh Sultan has placed great emphasis on nurturing civic awareness, participation and social responsibilities and has encouraged the establishment of many non-governmental organisations to promote social interactions between the communities and the government.
Dr Shaikh Sultan established the Sharjah Consultative Council to involve the people of Sharjah in the development and review of projects at all levels within Sharjah, leading efforts to deepen political participation through holding the UAE’s first local election in January.
Dr Shaikh Sultan also established municipal councils in the cities and towns of Sharjah to decentralise the consultation between communities and different levels of government. He has actively promoted the establishment and development of numerous organisations, museums, institutes and associations fostering culture, the arts and science, academia, cultural and national heritage conservation, commerce, industry and agriculture.
After completing his elementary and secondary education in Sharjah, Kuwait and Dubai, Dr Shaikh Sultan went on to study a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering at Cairo University, graduating in 1971.
He completed a PhD with distinction in history at Exeter University in 1985, and another in the political geography of the Gulf at Durham University in 1999.
Dr Shaikh Sultan grew up with deep-rooted love of his nation, education and of seeking knowledge. In his early childhood, he was enamoured with the history of his country
Dr Shaikh Sultan, a renowned historian and author, is working on a detailed encyclopaedia on the history of the Arabian Gulf.
The massive historical work would focus on all the stages that the Arabian Gulf has passed through, including the Portuguese, Dutch, Seljuk rule and the Ottoman Empire down to the era of British rule.
