Page 60 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

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, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of his
cultural and intellectual journey and his significant efforts in supporting cultural programmes and
initiatives and fostering civilisational and intellectual exchange at regional and global levels. This
merit reflects Arab appreciation for an exceptional cultural vision that has made Sharjah a hub of
creativity, knowledge, thought, literature, and theatre. It embodies His Highness’s belief in the role
of culture in building and advancing societies and his continuous efforts to embed culture as a path
for development and an investment in human capital.”

He added, “His Highness’s cultural, literary, and intellectual initiatives deserve complete
recognition. They have led to Sharjah being named the World Book Capital, Capital of Arab Culture,
and Capital of Islamic Culture, among many other achievements that have contributed to elevating
Arab culture on the global stage and preserving the Arabic language as a vessel for thought and
creativity.”

Legacy of cultural development in Sharjah
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture, delivered a speech in
which he conveyed His Highness’s greetings and appreciation to ALECSO for its cultural efforts and
stated, “With Arab affection and brotherhood, I am honoured to convey greetings from the Emirate
of Sharjah, expressing my delight at this blessed gathering, which reflects a continuation of pan-
Arab cultural meetings driven by the sincere efforts of ALECSO. This special occasion—honouring
His Highness with the Arab Cultural Merit—is indeed dear to all of us.

He added, “His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah recognises the crucial role of culture in the
advancement of societies and the preservation of future generations. For over fifty years, he has
dedicated himself to building a vibrant cultural landscape in Sharjah, evidenced by the
establishment of theatres, specialised museums, cultural centres, and an expansive network of
public libraries – the oldest of which marks its centennial this year.”

He went on to say, "In parallel, His Highness initiated a wide array of cultural, artistic, and literary
festivals—spanning poetry, theatre, calligraphy, visual arts, and book fairs—alongside various
specialised cultural publications and magazines distributed across the Arab world." These efforts
have resulted in numerous literary and cultural awards, including awards specifically for youth,
such as the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity – First Edition.”

Al Owais highlighted the importance His Highness places on the wider Arab region, saying:
“The Ruler of Sharjah’s commitment to the Arab cultural sphere is evident in the collaborative
partnerships forged across the region. These include the Arab Theatre Authority, which revitalises
Arab theatre through national festivals, and the flagship Arab Theatre Festival, which is held
annually in a different Arab country. His Highness also established Houses of Poetry in several Arab
nations, including Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Mauritania—all of which actively
support Arab poetry through festivals and year-round events“.

https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/04/17/a4