• E-Mail
  • Print
  • Share

Government of Sharjah

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi,
Member of the Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah

Educational Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Political Geography; Durham University; Durham, UK; – 2 July 1999.
  • Doctor of Philosophy with Distinction in History; Exeter University; Exeter, UK; on – 22 July 1985.
  • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering; Cairo University; Cairo, Egypt; 1971.
  • Elementary and Secondary Education; Sharjah, Dubai, and Kuwait.

Official and Professorial Positions:

  • Ruler of Sharjah; United Arab Emirates; 1972 – to date.
  • Member of the Supreme Council of UAE; 1972 – to date.
  • Minister of Education; United Arab Emirates 1971 - 1972
  • President; American University of Sharjah; 1997 – to date.
  • President; University of Sharjah; 1997 – to date
  • Visiting Professor; Cairo University; 2008
  • Professor; Modern History of the Gulf; University of Sharjah; 1999
  • Visiting Professor; Exeter University; 1998.

 Honorary Degrees:

  1. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters; the American University in Cairo (AUC); in recognition of His generous contribution to education and culture at the national and international levels; Cairo, Egypt; 11 February 2009.
  2. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Arts; University of Sheffield; in appreciation of His efforts in spreading Arab and Islamic Culture and Civilization; Sheffield, UK; 11 November 2008.
  3. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Administration; University of Jordan; in recognition of His efforts in the scientific research and cultural fields in the UAE and Arab world; Amman, Jordan; 5 May 2008.
  4. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy; the University of Tübingen; in recognition of His long-term commitment and support of the research of the Department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology of the Institute of Prehistory, Protohistory and Medieval Archaeology of the University of Tübingen, His fostering of archaeological research and education in the Emirate of Sharjah, His role as an advocate and a sponsor of science and education both in the United Arab Emirates and abroad, and His distinguished achievement in the field of historical geography of Arabia and the Gulf Region; Tübingen, Germany; 30 October 2006.
  5. Honorary Doctorate Degree; Armenian Academy of Science; Yerevan, Armenia; 16 September 2005.
  6. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Administration; McMaster University; Hamilton, Canada; May 2004.
  7. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Laws; South Bank University; London, UK; 28 April 2003.
  8. Honorary Doctorate Degree; the University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh, UK; June 2001.
  9. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy in Education; International Islamic University of Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 5 February 2001.
  10. Honorary Doctorate in History; the Eastern Studies Institute, Academy of Russian Studies; Moscow, Russia; 1995.
  11. Honorary Doctorate in Arabic and Islamic studies; Exeter University; Exeter, UK, 1993.
  12. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law; Khartoum University; Khartoum, Sudan; 1986.
  13. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Science; Faculty of Agriculture, Faisalabad University; in recognition of His outstanding contribution in the fields of Agriculture and Education; Faisalabad, Pakistan; 19 April 1983.

Honorary Positions:

  1. Honorary President; Union of Arab Universities; 2009.
  2. Honorary President; Arab Theater Institute; 2008.
  3. Honorary President; Society of Arab Astronomy and Space Sciences; 2008.
  4. Honorary President; Islamic International Organization for the History of Sciences; 2008.
  5. Honorary Member; Union of Writers of Egypt; 2008.
  6. Honorary President; Egyptian Association for the Study of History; 2001.
  7. Honorary President; Council of World University Service (WUS); 1998
  8. Honorary President; Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services; 1998.
  9. Honorary Member; Centre of Middle East & Islamic Studies; University of Durham; 1992.

Medals and Awards:

  1. “Gold Medal”; the Union of Arab Universities; in recognition of His support for interaction and collaboration among Arab universities; Amman, Jordan; April 2009.
  2. “Gold Medal”; Yerevan University; Yerevan, Armenia; 20 September 2005.
  3. “Human Rights Medal”; UNESCO; in recognition of His support of the education of deprived children; Paris, France; 17 December 2003.
  4. “Avicenna Gold Medal”; UNESCO; in recognition of His profound commitment to the ideals of the Organization and His outstanding contribution to the promotion of the culture and international co-operation; Paris, France; 26 October 1998.
  5. “Gold Medal”; the Arab League Education Science and Culture Organization (ALESCO); Tunis, Tunis; 21 November 1998.
  6. “Gold Medal”; the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO); Casablanca ; Morocco;.
  7. “Gold Medal”; Research Centre for Islamic History Art and Culture; Institute of Research in Islamic History; Arts and Culture; in recognition of His support of the preservation and education of cultural heritage; Istanbul, Turkey; October 1990.
  8. “Distinguished Personality of the Year”; Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Award for 2008; in recognition of His persistent services to upgrade the standards of education; and His remarkable contributions and support to education; science knowledge and culture globally; and His leading role on preserving the Arab and Islamic Heritage and Culture; Dubai, UAE; 6 April 2009.
  9. “Princess Fatima Ismail Distinguished Award”; Cairo University; in recognition of His generous longstanding support of Cairo University’s mission and goals; Cairo, Egypt; 22 December 2008.
  10. “Centennial Shield”; Cairo University; in recognition of His significant contributions to the Arab cultural and intellectual movements; Cairo, Egypt; 24 January 2008.
  11. “Distinction Trophy”; International Arab Theatre Organization; in recognition of His continued support of the role of theater in cultural dialogues between the peoples of the World; Cairo, Egypt; 16 March 2008.
  12. “Founding Member of the University of Exeter's College of Benefactors”; Exeter University; in recognition of His generous and continuous support of higher education and research; Sharjah, UAE;14 May 2007.
  13. “Distinction Trophy”; Union of the Egyptian Actors; in recognition of His contributions to Arab culture and the performing arts; Cairo, Egypt; 30 April 2007.
  14. “Order of Merit”; Republic of Armenia; Yerevan; Armenia; 19 September 2005.
  15. “Distinction Trophy”; Organization of The Arab Scouts; in recognition of His support of the Scouts movements Worldwide in general and the Arab World in particular; Cairo, Egypt; 6 April 2005.
  16. “Member of the Companion of The Guild of Cambridge Benefactors”; Cambridge University; in recognition of His generous support of the continuation of the University's commitment to teaching and research; Cambridge, UK; 21 June 2004.
  17. “Order of Merit”; Republic of Senegal; Dakar, Senegal; 21 May 2004.
  18. “Distinguished Personality of the Year”; Al Qareen 10th Cultural Festival; in recognition of His distinctive role in enriching culture in the Arab world. Kuwait, Kuwait; 13 January 2004.
  19. “Honorary Member of the National Geographic Society”; in recognition of His support of the diffusion of geographical knowledge and promotion of research and exploration; Washington Dc, USA; January 2004.
  20. “Republic Order in Arts of the class of a Knight”; Republic of France; in recognition of His significant contributions in the fields of academics; science, culture and arts, and His unstinting support to programmes on dialogue, intellect, civilization interactions and the exchange of art among the peoples of the East and West; Paris, France; 20 February 2003.
  21. “Distinction Award”; King Faisal International Islamic Award; in recognition of His cultural and scientific contributions in the Islamic and Arab World; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 9 March 2002.
  22. “Honorary Fellowship”; Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies; University of Durham; Durham; UK; 22 October 1992.
  23. “Academic Excellence”; Sheikh Rashid Al-Maktoum Award; Dubai; UAE; 22 November 1989
  24. “Honorary Fellow”; African Studies Institute; Khartoum University; Khartoum, Sudan; 1977.

Scholarly Publications:

I- Books:

  1. Muscat and other Forts on the Shoreline of the Gulf of Oman; (in Arabic, “Wasf qalaat Mascat wa qilaa ukhra ala sahel khaleej Oman”); Al-Qasimi Publications; Sharjah, UAE; 2009.
  2. Sharjah Air Station between the East and West; (in Arabic, “Mahatat ash-shariqa aj-jaweeya bayn ash-sharq wal-gharb”); Sharjah, UAE; Al Qasimi Publications; 2009.
  3. Kinship Index, (in Arabic, “Al Tadhkira bil Arham”); Al-Qasimi Puplications; Sharjah, UAE; June 2008;
    Second edition: Septemper 2008.
  4. The Genesis of the Scout Movement in Sharjah (in Arabic, “Nashaat al-haraka al-kashfeeya fil-shariqa”), Dr. Sultan Al-Qasimi Centre of Gulf Studies; Sharjah, UAE; 2008;
    Translation:
    English: Dr. Sultan Al-Qasimi Centre of Gulf Studies; Sharjah, UAE; 2008.
  5. Theatre International Day Message, (in Arabic, English, and French), Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2007.
  6. Memorandum on Kuwait (The Biography of Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah); (in Arabic, “Bayan al-Kuwayt – sirat hayat ash-shaykh mubarak as-sabah”); Al-Qasimi Publishing; Sharjah, UAE; 2004;
    Second edition: Arabian Publishing Organization (“AL Mouassa Al Arabiya lil Nashr”), Bierut, Lebanon; 2006.
  7. Deep-Seated Malice; (in Arabic, “Al-Hiqd A-Dafin”), Al-Qasimi Puplications, Sharjah, UAE; 2004;
    Translations:
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2005;
    Spanish: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2005;
    English: Saqi Books, London, UK; 2006;
    Urdu: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2009.
  8. A Memorandum for Historians on the innocence of Ibn Majid; (in Arabic, “Bayan lel-muarikheen al-amajed fi bara’at ibn majed”); Maddad Printing, Sharjah, UAE; 2000;
    Translation:
    Russian: Maddad Printing, Sharjah, UAE; 2005.
  9. Power Struggles and Trade in the Gulf (1620-1820); (in English); Forest Row, London, UK; 1999;
    Translation:
    Persian: Hamasaya Publishing, Tehran, Iran; 2008.
  10. The Gulf in Historic Maps (1478 – 1861); (in English); Edited by Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi; Streamline press Limited; Leicester,UK; 1999
  11. The Rebel Prince,(in Arabic, “Al-ameer al-thaer”); Al-Qasimi Publications; Sharjah, UAE, 1998;
    Second edition: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 1999;
    Translations:
    German: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE; 2004;
    French: L'Harmattan, Paris, France, 2005;
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publications; Sharjah, UAE; 2009
  12. Letters of  Somali Leaders to Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqer Al Qasimi 1837; (in Arabic, "Resalat zuamaa’ al-somal ila ash-shaikh sultan bin saqr Al-Qasimi (1837)"); Dar Al Khaleej for Printing, Publishing and Distribution; Sharjah, UAE; 1996.
  13. The Gulf in Historic Maps (1493 – 1931); (in English); Edited by Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi), Thinkprint Limited; Leicester, UK; 1996.
  14. The White Sheikh; (in Arabic, “Ash-Sheikh Al-Abyad”); Dar Al-Khaleej Printing and Publishing, Sharjah, UAE, November 1996;
    Second edition: Dar Al-Khaleej Printing and Publishing, Sharjah, UAE, November 1998;Translations:
    English:  Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 1998;
    German: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004;
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004;
    Spanish: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004;
    French: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004.
  15. The Journals of David Seton in the Gulf, 1800-1809; (in Arabic, “Yawmiyat devid seton fil-khaleej (1800-1809)’);  Dar AlKhaleej Printing, Publishing and Distribution; Sharjah, UAE; 1994.
    Translation:
    English: BPC Wheatons Ltd, Exeter, UK; 1995.
  16. John Malcolm and the British Commercial Base in the Gulf 1800 ( in English); Dar Al Khaleej for Printing, Publishing and Distribution; Sharjah, UAE; 1994.
    Translation:
    Arabic: “Jon Malcolm wal-qaeda at-tijariya al-britaniya fil-khaleej (1800)”; Dar Al Khaleej for Printing, Publishing and Distribution; Sharjah, UAE; 1994.
  17. Omani – French Relations (1715-1905); (in English); Forest Row, Londan ,UK; 1993;
    Translations:
    Arabic: Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing House – Dubai UAE; 1994;
    French: L’ Harmattan, Paris, France 1995.
  18. Arab Omani Documents in the French Archives Center (in Arabic, “Al-wathaeq al-arabiya al-omaniya fee marakez al-archeef al-faransia”); Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, Dubai, UAE; 1993
  19. British Occupation of Aden, (in Arabic: “Al-ihtilal al-biritani li-aden”); Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing House – Dubai UAE; 1990;
    Second edition, 1992
  20. Division of the Omani Empire (1856 – 1862), (in Arabic, “Taqsim al-imbratouriyya al-umaniya (1856-1862)”); Al Bayan Printing and Publishing; Dubai, UAE; 1989;
    Second edition: Al Bayan Printing and Publishing; Dubai, UAE 1996;
    Third edition: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2008.
  21. The Myth of Arab Piracy in the Gulf; Croom Helm, UK; 1986;
    Second edition: Croom Helm; UK; 1988;
    Third edition: Routledge; London, UK; 2006;
    Translation:
    Persian: Hamasaya Publishing; Tehran, Iran; 2008.

II- Theatrical Plays:

  1. SAMSON, (in Arabic, “Shamshoun Aj-jabbar”); Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE; 2008;
    Translation:
    Urdu: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE; 2009.
  2. Nimrod; (in Arabic, “An-namrood”); Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2008.
  3. Alexander the Great; (in Arabic, “Al-eskandar al-akbar”) ; Al-Qasimi Publications; Sharjah,UAE; 2006;
    Translation:
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publications,sharjah UAE; 2009.
  4. The Reality, Identical Copy of the Original; (in Arabic, “Al-Waqe’ – Soura tebq al-asl”); Maddad Printing; Sharjah, UAE; 2000;
    Second edition, Maddad Printing; Sharjah, UAE; 2001;
    Translations:
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publishing; Sharjah, UAE; 2004;
    Spanish: Al-Qasimi Publishing; Sharjah, UAE; 2004.
  5. The Case, (in Arabic, “Al-Qadiya”); Department of Culture, Sharjah, UAE, 2000;
    Translations:
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004;
    Spanish: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004.
  6. The Return of Holako (in Arabic, “Awdat holako”); Sharjah Department of Cultural, Sharjah, UAE, 1998;
    Second edition: Sharjah Department of Cultural; Sharjah, UAE; 1999;
    Translations:
    English: Al-Qasimi Publications; Sharjah, UAE; 2004;
    German: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2004;
    Russian: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, UAE, 2005.

Establishment of Cultural, Educational, and Research Institutes in Sharjah:

His Highness has founded numerous institutions and organizations including:

I- Cultural, Social, and Heritage Organizations:

  1. Al-Islah School Museum
  2. Almahatta Museum
  3. Sharjah Archaeological Museum
  4. Sharjah Arts Museum and Contemporary Arts
  5. Sharjah Center of Ethnology (Bait Al-Naboudeh)
  6. Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
  7. Sharjah Discovery Center
  8. Sharjah Heritage Museum
  9. Sharjah Maritime Museum
  10. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
  11. Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum
  12. Sharjah Science Museum and Learning Center
  13. Sharjah Aquarium
  14. Sharjah Arabian Wildlife Centre
  15. Sharjah Center of Calligraphy
  16. Al Hisn (Sharjah Fort)
  17. Sharjah Theatre Institute
  18. Sharjah Public Library
  19. Sharjah City for Humanitarin Services
  20. Early Intervention Centre for the Newborn
  21. Al Thiqah Club for the Handicapped
  22. Sharjah Charity International

II- Higher Educational and Research Institutions

  1. American University of Sharjah (www.aus.edu)
  2. University  of Sharjah (www.sharjah.ac.ae)
  3. Sharjah Police Academy
  4. Sharjah College of the Arts (now part of University of Sharjah)
  5. Sharjah Community College (now part of University of Sharjah)
  6. Sharjah Academcy of Scientific Research
  7. Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre of Gulf Studies
  8. Sharjah Institute of Technology

Endowment of Chair Professorships in Universities:

Exeter University, Exeter, UK

Al-Qasimi Chair in Arab Gulf Studies

Sharjah Chair of Islamic Studies

Al-Qasimi Chair of Arab Studies

University of Durham, Durham, UK

Sharjah Chair of Islamic Studies

McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Sharjah Chair in Global Islam

Brief Summary of Impact on Cultural, Social and Economic Developments in Sharjah

On 25th January 1972, the Al-Qasimi Ruling Family in Sharjah selected His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, at the age of 32 years, to succeed his late brother H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi as the Ruler of Sharjah and it's dependencies, and as member of the Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates.  His Highness is the 15th Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah in a chain of Al Qasimi Rulers since the year 1630 A.D.

As the Ruler of Sharjah, His highness led the social, economic, and cultural development of the Emirate of Sharjah.  In addition, His Highness devoted considerable effort and resources to promote intercultural interactions and dialogues among the peoples of the world.  The following is a brief summary of some of His Highness’s achievements:

Nurturing Civic awareness, Participation, and Social Responsibilities:

  • Encouraged the establishment of many non-governmental organizations to promote social interactions between the communities and the government.
  • Established the Sharjah Consultative Council to involve the people of Sharjah in the development and review of projects at all levels within the Emirate of Sharjah.
  • Established the Municipal Councils in the cities and towns of the Emirate of Sharjah to decentralize the consultations between the communities and the different levels of government

Establishment of the Sharjah Award for Arabic Culture:

The idea of the award was born out of the designation of Sharjah as the Cultural capital of the Arab world for 1998 by the UNESCO.  The award was officially adopted based on His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah’s generous initiative to allocate the sum of $ 250,000 to the UNESCO. 

The objective of the biannual prize is to reward an Arab country citizen and a citizen from a non-Arab country whose intellectual or artistic works have contributed to the development, enrichment and dissemination of Arabic culture throughout the world.

Initiation of Sharjah Cultural Festival Tours in Different Cities of the World:

His Highnes is a firm believer of the importance and significance of the role the arts and culture in bridging the minds and soles of the peoples of the world.  The touring Sharjah Cultural Festivals bring aspects of the Arab and Islamic arts and culture to the cities of the World. 

Fostering Culture, the Arts and Science:

  • Establishing Sharjah Creative Thinking Foundation that contributed to the publishing of the Islamic Encyclopaedia in Arabia in 33 volumes. 1
  • Inauguration of Sharjah TV in February 1989, which joined satellite service in 1997.
  • Creation of Arts Zone in Shwaihain area in Sharjah – 1993
  • Organising annually the Sharjah International Book Fair – since 1982
  • Establishing the Culture and Information Department in 1981.
  • Establishing a modern web of public libraries and modernization of school  libraries.
  • Granting a Sharjah Police Award for the Arab World.
  • Hosting of Sharjah Biennial Exhibition, the exhibition is acclaimed as one of the most important artistic gatherings in the are, since 1993.
  • Establish the Islamic Art Festival in Sharjah, since 1998.
  • Establishemnt of Culture without Borders to provide all the families in the Emirate of Sharjah with home libraries.

Conservation of the National Heritage and Arab Identity:

  • Restoration of houses and ancient buildings and re-opening of Arsah Souq – 1994.
  • Rebuilding of the Old Fort in which documents and archives about Sharjah Emirate are preserved – 1997.

Care for all Social Categories:

  • Establishment of centers for the rehabilitation of the mentally retarded and handicapped persons – 1999
  • Establishment of care Center for old people – 1986
  • Inauguration of sports, cultural and scientific clubs and projects for Youth and care centers for children. 
  • Sponsoring the Annual Arab Children’s Convention. Since 1998
  • Inauguration of clubs for young girls.
  • Establishment of Sharjah Excellence Award for the handicapped to enhance their smooth social rehabilitation.

Commerce, Industry and Agriculture:

  • Laid the foundation of basic infrastructure that paved the way for the development of production and government bodies in their various aspects leading to an expansion of local and foreign trade in the industrial sector.
  • Promotion of the tourism industry and the establishment of specialized public institutions in a global development process that boosted the performance of the GNP of the Emirate with special note from agriculture and industry.
  • Adoption of Islamic Architecture in public buildings and market places.
  • Expansion of green landscapes, public gardens and parks.
  • Creation of the Botanic Garden which is the first of its kind in the region vying with its international peers.
  • Creation of model free zones in Hamriyah and Sharjah International Airport.
Post your comments here

Please login to post a comment.