Sharjah celebrates 50th anniversary of Sheikh Sultan’s Accession Day on January 25

Sharjah: -Sharjah celerbates 50th anniversary of Accession Day of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Half a century ago, Dr Sheikh Sultan became the ruler of Sharjah on January 25 herlading a new era of development and prosperity in the emirate.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, paid homage to Dr Sheikh Sultan on completing 50 years in power as the Ruler of Sharjah on Tuesday.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) My brother, Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi will complete 50 years since he assumed to power in Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan is one of the backbones of the Union, a leader who combines science and culture, and a main driver of building, architecture and serving people in the country. May Allah bless Sheikh Sultan to his family and people,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

On the occasion of the golden jubilee celerbations of Dr Sheikh Sultan’s Accession Day, we recall the massive chievements of the Emirate thanks to the great leader who gave his thoughts and wisdom to serve his citizens and took firm and confident steps on the path of excellence. According to a report released by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), January 25, 1972, marked a momentous day in the history of the Emirate of Sharjah, when an emergency meeting of the Al Qasimi family was called at the home of Sheikh Hamad bin Majid Al Qasimi, during which Sheikh Khalid bin Khalid Al Qasimi proposed Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi as the Ruler of Sharjah, which was unanimously approved.

Dr Sheikh Sultan was awarded many honorary doctorates in several specialities from various global universities.He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Sciences in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of education, from Faisalabad University, in April 1983. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Arabic and Islamic studies, in recognition of his efforts in the research of Contemporary Arab History, from Exeter University, United Kingdom (UK).

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law In recognition of his role in laying the foundations of modern development in Sharjah and his contributions in supporting Arab-African Relations from Khartoum University. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Arabic and Islamic studies for his efforts in the research of Contemporary Arab History, from Exeter University, on 18th July, 1993.

He received an Honorary Doctorate in Administration for his scientific position and role in academic development and progress in the UAE in general and Sharjah in particular from McMaster University, Canada in May 2004. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate, for his contributions to the cultural and intellectual activities across the world, by the Armenian Academy of Science, Armenia, in September 2005. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters for his generous contribution to education and culture at the national and international levels, from the American University, Cairo, in February 2009.

He received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters for his support to scientific research, promotion of culture and arts, and promotion of education both locally and internationally, from the University of Paris Diderot, France, in March 2012. He was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences for his contribution to Arts and his role in supporting regional issues and the Egyptian community, in Cairo, Egypt, in May 2015.

He was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Urban and Regional Development for his effective role in the urban development of the Emirate of Sharjah and all its cities by the University of Turin and Politecnico di Torino, in May 2019. He received an Honorary Doctorate for his cultural efforts from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain, in October 2019.

He was awarded an Honorary Drama PhD for his valuable contributions to theatrical writing and supporting the theatre scene in the region from Sudan University of Science and Technology, in March 2020.

For supporting and promoting several majors and domains, he was chosen as the Personality of the Year for the Al Qurain Cultural Festival; the Distinguished Personality of the Year Award of the Shaikh Hamdan Award for Academic Excellence in 2004; Cultural Personality of the year for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in Abu Dhabi 2010; Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards for 2010; theatre personality of the year, Sharjah 2013; theatre personality of the year at Theatre Festival Personality of the Year; Personality of the Year by Asian Chess Federation 2014, and others.

He received the Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Prize for Arabian Peninsula History Studies and the Gulf School Theatre Pioneers Award. He won the Simon Master Chairman’s Award and the Excellence of Supporting Poetry Creativity Award. He also received many medals from Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture for supporting the preservation and education of cultural heritage, the Bronze Wolf Award and many other medals.

The Gold Medal from Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, in recognition of his support of the preservation and education of cultural heritage.

The Gold Medal, from the International Theatre Institute World Congress, Xiamen, China, on 19th September, 2011. The Order of the Republic, one of Egypt’s highest awards, in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. The Medal of the Academy as appreciation for supporting the cooperation between Arab and Portugal from the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, Portugal. The Gold Medal from Jagielski University, for supporting the cultural and civilisational exchange between nations and peoples, in Krak?w, Poland. He has also received several medals from other countries including:

The Republican Order for supporting the collaboration between the Republic of Tunisia and the UAE, Tunisia, on 27th March, 1975. The Order of Leopold Highest Belgian Award. The Sudanese Republican Sash of Honour for his and the UAE’s efforts to support Sudan.The Gold Trophy, the Arab League Educational Science and Culture Organisation (ALESCO), Tunis.

The Human Rights Medal, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), for his support to the education of deprived children in Paris, France. The Distinguished Personality of the Year; Al Qareen 10th Cultural Festival in recognition of his distinctive role in enriching theatre in the Arab world, from Kuwait. The Medal of Merit in Work, Yerevan, Armenia, on 19th September, 2005.

The Medal of the Academy as an appreciation for supporting the cooperation between Arab and Portugal from the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, Portugal. The Order of the Arab Organisation for Education, First Class, for his support to the educational and cultural process in the UAE, from Sharjah, UAE.

On October 9, 1972, Dr. Sheikh Sultan announced the discovery of oil in the Emirate amid great joy of all citizens. He named the field ‘Mubarak’.

On April 7, 1979, His Highness inaugurated Khorfakkan Port to be a vital supply and export artery and a container port. The port helped create commercial and economic activities that provided job opportunities for people.

On April 21, 1979, His Highness inaugurated the new Sharjah International Airport to link the Emirate with the world.

The Ruler launched on October 20, 1979 the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services as the first city specialised for people of determination. It aims at keeping abreast with the best practices in empowering and rehabilitating people of determination.

On December 31, 979, the Ruler of Sharjah announced that the industrial planning had paid off, as the industrial zone for light industries started to emerge, factories were being built, and started operations. The industrial development in the Emirate is still continuing. The Emirate now owns many major industrial zones, including thousands of factories and companies in various sectors.

Dr Sheikh Sultan issued an Emiri Decree No. (20) on April 30, 1981 to establish the Cultural Department, which later became known as Department of Culture and Information, after initiating art projects and expanding their base to the citizens throughout the country. The Department reinforced its objective by creating an identity of Arabic and authentic Islamic culture, influenced by the culture of humanity in a larger sense.

On January 18, 1982, he launched the Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah.

On January 19, 1986, he opened Al Amal Camp in Sharjah for the people of determination, and on January 5, 1993, he opened the Sharjah Museums Authority.

On April 10, 1997, His Highness opened the Sharjah Fort, one of the most important landmarks of the Emirate of Sharjah. The fort, known as Al Hisn, offers the public a unique opportunity to experience the history that has shaped the emirate and its people. It has been updated to include exciting interactive features, audio-visuals, reconstructions and stories, taking visitors on an engaging journey through two centuries of history.

On February 26, 2000, he issued an Emiri decree establishing the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in the Emirate.

On February 13, 2005, he inaugurated the Sharjah Youth Shura Council

On November 1, 2006, he issued an Emiri decree establishing the Sharjah Sports Council.

On September 16, 2002, he inaugurated the Expo Centre Sharjah in its new headquarters. The centre was launched under the auspices of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1977 to be one of the most prestigious, largest and most advanced exhibition centres in the country and the Gulf region.

On Feebruary 28, 2008, he inaugurated the new headquarters of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Al Mamzar area. Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) was established by an Emiri Decree issued in 2009 by His Highness. Shurooq is the driving force for Sharjah’s transformation and development and it reflects the commitment to strengthen Sharjah’s position as an investment, tourism and business destination.

On December 18, 2016, Dr Sheikh Sultan issued an Emiri Decree for the establishment and organisation of the Academy of the Arabic Language in the Emirate of Sharjah.

On February 13, 2017, he issued an Emiri Decree establishing the Sharjah Media Council to draw the media policy of the emirate, enhance the media status of the emirate locally, regionally and internationally, co-ordinate among media institutions in conformation with the policy of the emirate.

On October 30, 2017, His Highness inaugurated the building of Sharjah Book Authority specialised in book affairs and organising various relevant events, in addition to organising the Sharjah International Book Fair annually. His Highness also inaugurated the Sharjah Publishing City, the first publishing free zone in the world.

On October 1, 2019, he inaugurated the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), the first of its kind in the Arab world.

On October 28, 2019, he inaugurated the headquarters of the Sharjah Media City (Shams). The building was built to provide a suitable working environment through an integrated building equipped with the latest modern technologies in the media and communication sector.

On December 11, 2019, he launched the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Khorfakkan.