Sheikh Sultan, a glittering golden occasion

Few leaders have played a stellar role in moulding the social and cultural landscape of a country as His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has. He is more than the political head of Sharjah; he is a cultural icon, a trailblazer who has catapulted the emirate to an overarching hotspot of culture and heritage, global academics and learning, not forgetting its remarkable growth in real estate.

He has cradled and nursed the Sharjah International Book Fair since it was born 40 years ago. Today, with over thousands of books and visitors, it is the lodestar of the emirate’s – and the nation’s – literary growth. A galaxy of bestselling writers grace its portals every year, providing a lot of food for thought among the eager-beaver audiences waiting to pick up the pearls of wisdom from their favourite writer.

Under his able statesmanship Sharjah transformed itself into a bastion of phenomenal growth from which the emirate has never looked back. Imbibing the qualities of grace, tolerance, understanding and humanitarianism, he recrafted Sharjah’s global standing. Simplicity was key while tolerance had huge unlocked potential. Over the past 50 years, Sharjah has witnessed a civilised renaissance, progress and prosperity in all areas.

There have been towering signposts of history during his tenure: from the discovery of oil to the inaugural of the Sharjah International Airport to the launch of the Sharjah International Book Fair.

There were other milestones too. His Highness opened the first festival for the child, the first of its kind initiative.

On 10th April 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 9th February 1998, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah opened the American University of Sharjah, while on 14th March 1999, he inaugurated the University of Sharjah.

On 9th December 2020, the Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the House of Wisdom, a new cultural edifice and an iconic architectural marvel situated near the University City of Sharjah.

The Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) showcases global heritage, promising the UAE residents  a rich and vibrant showcase of the unique customs and traditions of nations around the world. On 2nd November, the Ruler of Sharjah launched the first 17 volumes of the ‘’Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language’’. The dictionary documents the history of the nation, its civilisation, and celebrates the achievements of Arabs.

The Al Majaz Waterfront, with its striking landscape and slew of eateries and amusement centres for children, has turned out to be a shining go-to destination of relaxation and fun for hundreds of families.

In December, Sheikh Sultan unveiled the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, an artistic marvel in the emirate of Sharjah. It was where he attended the first screening of the historical cinematic epic ‘Khorfakkan.’

The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is located at the foot of “Al Sayed” mountain facing the beach of the city of Khorfakkan, allowing visitors to see its natural beauty.

It is unique in its design that accommodates 3,600 individuals.

He has many more accomplishments to his credit. Truly he is a father-figure to many, a beacon of compassion and charity, principles which are also the cornerstone of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah. Her Big Heart Foundation has been a major light at the end of the tunnel to the millions of distressed and the suffering, a groundswell of succour to refugees, disaster-hit and economically deprived.