Page 45 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

The event began with a speech by ALECSO's Director-General, who announced the inauguration of
the first edition of Arab Cultural Merit, a prestigious award given to individuals, organisations, or
institutions for outstanding contributions to Arab culture. The award is a high-level recognition of
quality and originality in cultural domains, and it encourages worthwhile efforts to develop
knowledge and cultural services.

Dr. Ould Amar spoke about the award, saying, "This award aims to recognise the efforts of
pioneering individuals and institutions that have contributed to presenting Arab culture to the world
with its humanitarian and civilisational depth while enriching the cultural landscape and promoting
Arab identity and knowledge values. It is natural that the organisation's first recipient is a
remarkable individual in every human, intellectual, academic, and political sense – a decision that
validates the credibility, validity, and stature of this high-level initiative."

He went on, "Today we come together—in the name of all intellectuals, creators, artists, thinkers,
writers, and poets—to honour His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. We
honour this great persona, who stands as a guardian of culture and knowledge, safeguarding Arab
identity and supporting human values. He has tirelessly worked to present an authentic image of
Arab culture as one of peace, dialogue, and harmony.”

The Director-General also highlighted His Highness's key initiatives, including the Historical
Dictionary of the Arabic Language, a modern monumental project and the largest linguistic
endeavour in Arab history; it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest dictionary in human
history.

He also acknowledged His Highness's financial support for ALECSO, which enabled the ongoing
operations of the Encyclopaedia of Prominent Arab and Muslim Scholars and Writers, a significant
reference book at the Arab and Islamic levels. Other significant initiatives include the Islamic
Cultural Centre in Wolfsburg, Germany, the Azzagra Cultural Centre in Spain, and the
establishment of Quran memorisation and Arabic language schools in several African countries.
His Highness also launched initiatives to strengthen cultural ties across the Arab world, such as the
Arab Theatre Authority, which organises the largest annual gathering of Arab theatre professionals
and artists; the Sharjah Art Foundation; and the Sharjah Academy for Performing Arts, among
others.
Dr. Ould Amar added, “There is no doubt that His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is the conscience of
‘Arab cultural endeavour’, a clear, visible conscience manifested in inspiring scientific and cultural
projects that have contributed to shaping global knowledge systems and empowering Arab culture.

In appreciation of all of this, and in line with ALECSO’s goals and internal regulations, and under the
authority of its Director-General and the mandate of the Conference of Arab Ministers of Culture,
the organisation has decided to award His Highness the Arab Cultural Merit—First Class—in
recognition of his profound contributions to Arab and Islamic culture, the preservation of
civilisational identity, and the promotion of a knowledge-based society.”

In a recorded message, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, said: “Today, we
celebrate the awarding of the Arab Cultural Merit – First Class – to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan
bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, in recognition of his cultural and intellectual journey and his significant

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/15it25j-alecso-awards-arab-cultural-merit-sharjah-ruler