Page 91 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

4/18/25, 11:48 AM ALECSO Awards Arab Cultural Merit To Sharjah Ruler | Pakistan Point
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 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
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