Sultan launches Sharjah Public Libraries’ centennial celebrations

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has inaugurated the Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) centennial celebration under the theme ‘100 Years of Stories’. The official ceremony, held at the historic Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn), commemorates 100 years since Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Bin Khalid Al Qasimi established Sharjah’s first library.

In his address, His Highness conveyed his joy at the centennial celebration, reminiscing about events from decades past. He spoke fondly of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, praising him as an exceptional individual — first and foremost as a person, beyond being a Ruler.

His Highness shared personal anecdotes, recounting Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr’s incredible generosity and kindness, which he had experienced firsthand, especially during the founder’s later years. These heartfelt reflections offered a glimpse into the deep-rooted history and personal connections that have shaped Sharjah’s cultural landscape over the past century.

Exceptional character

His Highness painted a vivid picture of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a leader of exceptional character. He recounted an incident where Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr’s clothes were stained by spoiled meat thrown by a disgruntled citizen who had purchased the item from a seller. Instead of anger, Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr responded with grace, refunding the man and offering gentle advice before quietly changing his clothes and returning to his duties as if nothing had happened.

Sheikh Sultan poses with Emirati children at the event.

The Ruler of Sharjah highlighted Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr’s wisdom through another anecdote, where during a tense moment in the library, His Highness’s father, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi was about to take drastic action, and with calm authority, Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr reminded him, “No, Mohammed, this is not permissible. These are your people, no matter what.” His Highness emphasised that these words and actions left a profound and lasting impact.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr an avid reader

His Highness also described Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a distinguished intellectual and avid reader whose Nabati poetry was noted for its grammatical precision. His personal library, which His Highness inherited, became the cornerstone of Sharjah’s library system, and after several relocations, it found its permanent home in the Cultural Square. Through endeavours like the Home Library initiative, its influence has spread throughout Sharjah, leading to the establishment of thousands of home libraries across the emirate.

Sheikh Sultan at the classroom where he studied.

His Highness drew a poignant parallel between Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s library adjoining his bedroom and his own similar arrangement, pondering whether this was mere coincidence or a cherished tradition.

He eloquently described books as enduring companions that inspire joy, laughter, and contemplation. With a note of concern, His Highness observed the nation’s gradual drift from knowledge and, more fundamentally, from faith, attributing this trend to the increasing allure of worldly distractions.

His Highness concluded by acknowledging the library being celebrated as the foundation of Sharjah’s literary heritage. He expressed gratitude to those who preserved it and prayed for its founder and contributors.

'Advance in knowledge'

The Ruler of Sharjah encouraged everyone to advance in knowledge, ensuring future generations match the intellectual achievements of their ancestors, who spent their best years pursuing knowledge.

His Highness then shared the inspiring story of Sheikh Ghanem Bin Salem Al Shamsi’s quest for knowledge. This journey took Sheikh Ghanem from Makkah to the Levant and Iraq, where he sought out and studied under renowned scholars, despite the challenges of travel in those times.

Drawing a contrast to the present day, His Highness emphasised the unprecedented accessibility of knowledge in our era. He urged the current generation to take full advantage of these opportunities, encouraging them to pursue learning and personal growth with the same dedication as their predecessors.

The Ruler of Sharjah concluded the centennial celebration with a powerful call to action, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in organising the momentous event, emphasising the collective responsibility of preserving Sharjah's rich cultural and intellectual heritage. His Highness urged everyone to work together in developing a comprehensive approach to cultural preservation so that libraries continue to serve as beacons of knowledge and enlightenment.

Folk performances

The centennial celebration commenced with a grand entrance by His Highness at the Heart of Sharjah where The Ruler was greeted with a display of traditional folk performances and a ceremonial equestrian guard. A procession of horse riders also accompanied His Highness, adding to the event’s grandeur.

His Highness was received by Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority; Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department; Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority; and Sheikh Abdulrahman Bin Salem Al Qasimi.

Sharjah Museum of Education

His Highness commenced the centennial celebration with a warm welcome to attendees, followed by a performance by the Sharjah Military Band. The event continued with a guided tour of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s Western House ‘Al Bait Al Gharbi’, where His Highness and guests explored the historic library, Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s study, and other sections that have been transformed into an open exhibition showcasing aspects of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s life and cultural heritage.

Following this, His Highness inaugurated the Sharjah Museum of Education at the Al Qasimia School, the UAE’s first established school in the early 1940s. The ceremony began with a children’s performance celebrating Arab unity and patriotism and was then followed by a tour.

His Highness explored the museum’s exhibits, which include preserved classrooms that originally served students from grades one to five, with a special classroom dedicated to female students. The visit held personal significance for His Highness, who himself studied at the school in the fifth grade.

His Highness was briefed on the museum’s exhibits, which feature the early history of Al Qasimia School, originally known as Al Islah Al Qasimia School. Other exhibits highlight the evolution of education in Sharjah between 1951 and 1956, the development and expansion of female education, historical learning tools such as books and curricula, and a dedicated learning room offering educational workshops.

At the Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s Stables, located next to the reconstructed Sharjah Fort at its original site, His Highness watched a performance featuring Arabian horses, presented in several segments. Following this, His Highness proceeded to Sharjah Fort Square, where he watched traditional performances by various folk groups from the UAE and Oman. The performances presented a vibrant artistic display reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.