Sharjah: A new Arab Islamic university, called Sharjah Islamic University (Arabic name: Jameaat Al Qasimia), will be set up in Sharjah University City in 2014, as per an Emiri Decree issued yesterday by His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The Emiri Decree No. 2 of 2013 was issued by Shaikh Sultan as he chaired the second preparatory meeting for Sharjah the Capital for Islamic culture celebrations. The construction of the university will be completed in 2014 to coincide with the Sharjah Islamic capital celebrations. The university’s headquarters shall be based in Sharjah. The university may have other branches and offices inside and outside the country. The decree comes into effect from the date of its issuance and is to be published in the official gazette.
Shaikh Sultan said that the new university will built over an area of 1 million square metres, increasing Sharjah University City’s total size to 15 square kilometres. As per the decree, the university will be a non-profitable entity that serves as a corporate body enjoying financial and administrative independence.
The site will include colleges for majors, such as media, Islamic finance, Arabic studies, economics, Sharia law, engineering, and Islamic architecture.
Shaikh Sultan announced that he will provide the University with 120,500 books on Islamic studies, as well as other English books.
During the meeting, he ordered setting up a committee that will be responsible for organising Sharjah the Capital of Islamic Culture celebrations. The committee will be chaired by Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation and Sharjah Media Centre.
Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad tasked Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad with supervising all activities related to the celebrations, as well as setting up other committees that will serve under the umbrella of the organising committee and help it achieve its objectives.
Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad urged members of the organising committee to exert all efforts to present Sharjah as a role model for future Capitals of Islamic Culture. He also listened to suggestions for the celebrations that were presented by committee members.