Biography

Home

  • shiekh sultan sharjah ruler

    His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad bin Saqr bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi was born in Sharjah on Sunday, 2nd July 1939 AD, 14th Jumada-I 1358 Hijri.

    His mother is Sheikha Maryam bint Sheikh Ghanem bin Salim bin Abdullah bin Saeed bin Sabt bin Matar bin Sultan bin Faris bin Shahwan Al Shamsi.

    His Highness has four brothers and two sisters: Sheikh Khalid, Sheikh Saqr, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikha Shiekha and Sheikha Naema.

    His Highness also has half-brothers and sisters: Sheikh Rashid, Sheikh Humaid, Sheikh Ali, Sheikha Mouza, Sheikha Alia, Sheikha Ghaya, Sheikha Noura, Sheikha Aisha and Sheikha Azza.

    His senior wife was Sheikha Moza bint Salim bin Mohammed bin Manee Al Falasi (her grandmother, Sheikha Mouza bint Sheikh Ghanem bin Sheikh Salim Al Shamsi, is His Highness’s aunt), and with whom he had two children: his son, Sheikh Mohammed (May God rest his Soul), who passed away on 3rd April 1999, aged 24, and his daughter, Sheikha Azza.

    His Highness also married Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, with whom he has three daughters and one son: Sheikha Bodour, Sheikha Noor, Sheikha Hoor and Sheikh Khalid (May God rest his Soul), who passed away on 1st July 2019, aged 40.

    His Highness grew up with a deep-rooted love for his country and was able to expand his knowledge through broad education. During his early childhood he became enamoured of the history of his country and was taught the Holy Quran by Sheikh Faris bin Abdul Rahman. In September 1948, at the age of 9 years, he enrolled in Al Eslah Al Qasimia School. In 1954, His Highness enrolled in an English private school to learn the English language. He completed his elementary and secondary education between Sharjah and Kuwait. In 1965, he travelled to Cairo to complete his higher education, enrolling in the College of Agriculture at Cairo University.

    For two years, particularly from February 1961 to September 1963, he taught English and Mathematics at Sharjah Industrial School.

    In 1965, His Highness chaired the Municipality and, after his graduation in 1971, he managed the Ruler’s office in Sharjah. Following the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on 2nd December 1971, the ministers’ council was formed and His Highness became the UAE’s Minister of Education.

    On 25th January 1972, 9th Dhi Al-Hijja 1391 (Arafa Day) His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi became the Ruler of Sharjah after its former ruler, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, was assassinated in an attempted coup by loyalists of Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi. His Highness Sheikh Sultan became a member of the UAE Supreme Council at the age of 32 years.

    His Highness is the 18th Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah in a chain of Al Qasimi Rulers since 1600 AD.

    He has been at the forefront of the emirate’s cultural, economic and social development and also played a significant role in promoting cultural interaction and dialogue among nations at local, regional and international levels.

Educational Qualifications

  • Primary Education

    1948
  • Elementary and Secondary Education

  • Bachelor in Agriculture

    1971
  • Doctor with Distinction in History

    Exeter University; Exeter, UK
    10 May 1985
  • PhD in Political Geography of the Gulf

    University of Durham, UK
    2 July 1999

Official and Academic Positions

  • Official and Academic Positions

    • Ruler of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Since 1972.
    • Member of the Supreme Council of UAE Since 1972.
    • Minister of Education, United Arab Emirates, 1971-1972.
    • President, American University of Sharjah, 1997-2023.
    • President, University of Sharjah,1997-2021.
    • Visiting Professor, Exeter University, 1998.
    • Professor, Modern History of the Gulf, University of Sharjah, 1999.
    • 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.
    • 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; Exeter, United Kingdom, 15 May 2007.
    • Faculty member, Visiting Professor (part-time), Cairo University, 2008.
    • Member of the Academy of Sciences Lisbon, 3 October 2013.
    • President, Al Qasimia University, Sharjah, 2015 - 2021.
    • Chairman of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, 2017.
    • Chairman of Sharjah Urban Planning Council, 2019.
    • President, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, 2019.
    • President, Sharjah Maritime Academy, 2019.
    • President, University of Khorfakkan, 2022.
    • President, University of Kalba, 2023.
    • President, University of Al Dhaid, 2024.

Honorary Degrees

  • Honorary Drama PhD

    Sudan University of Science and Technology
    March 2020
  • Honorary Doctorate

    Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
    October 2019
  • Honorary Doctorate in Urban and Regional Development

    University of Turin and Politecnico di Torino
    May 2019
  • Honorary Doctorate

    University of Coimbra, Portugal
    October 2018
  • Honorary Doctorate in Education and Cultural Relations

    University of Calicut, India
    September 2017
  • Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences

    Cairo, Egypt
    May 2015
  • Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters

    University of Paris Diderot, France
    March 2012
  • Honorary Doctorate in Politics

    Hanyang University, South Korea
    September 2011
  • Honorary Doctorate

    Kanazawa University, Japan
    April 2010
  • Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters

    American University in Cairo
    February 2009
  • Honorary Doctorate in Arts

    University of Sheffield, UK
    November 2008
  • Honorary Doctorate in Administration

    University of Jordan
    May 2008
  • Honorary Doctorate

    University of Tübingen, Germany
    October 2006
  • Honorary Doctorate

    The National Academy of Science of Armenian, Armenia
    September 2005
  • Honorary Doctorate of Laws

    McMaster University, Canada
    May 2004
  • Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law

    London South Bank University, UK
    April 2003

  • Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters

    University of Edinburgh, UK
    July 2001
  • Honorary Doctorate in Education

    International Islamic University of Malaysia
    February 2001
  • Honorary Doctorate in History

    The Eastern Studies Institute, Academy of Russian Studies, Russia
    December 1995
  • Honorary Doctorate in Arabic and Islamic studies

    Exeter University, UK
    July 1993
  • Honorary Doctorate in Law

    Khartoum University
    March 1986
  • Honorary Doctorate in Sciences

    Faisalabad University
    April 1983

Honorary Positions

  • Honorary Positions

    • Global Honorary Fellowship from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University (PPAU), in recognition of his contributions in scientific, literary, educational and comprehensive fields, 23 February 2023.
    • Honorary Fellowship of Royal Institute of British Architects in recognition of his highness contributions to architecture and improving the quality of the built environment, 2 November 2018.
    • Honorary membership of the Arabic Language Academy in recognition of his highness role in the Arabic language and culture service, 24 December 2015.
    • Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh in recognition of His Highness’s role in supporting the medical and academic community at the international level, 16 June 2015.
    • Honorary President of the Arab Federation for Tourist Guides, 2013.
    • Honorary President of Emirates Writers Union, 2012.
    • Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK, 12 November 2009.
    • Honorary President; Union of Arab Universities, 2009.
    • Honorary President; Arab Theatre Institute, 2008.
    • Honorary President; Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, 2008.
    • Honorary President; Islamic International Organization for the History of Sciences, 2008.
    • Honorary Member, Writers’ Union of Egypt, 2008.
    • Honorary President; Egyptian Association for the Study of History, 2001.
    • Honorary President; Arab Science and Technology Foundation, 2000.
    • Honorary President; Council of World University Service (WUS), 1998.
    • Honorary President; Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, 1998.
    • Honorary Member, Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies; University of Durham, UK, 22 October 1992.
    • Honorary Member, National Geographic Society (established 1888); in recognition of his support of the diffusion of geographical knowledge and promotion of research and exploration; Washington, D.C., USA, January 2004.
    • Honorary Fellow, African Studies Institute; Khartoum University; Khartoum, Sudan, 1977.

Medals & Awards

  • Legion of Honor, with the rank of Supreme Commander, French Republic

    Sharjah, UAE
    11 April 2023
  • “Distinguished Professor” Certificate in Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences

    Sharjah, UAE
    22 October 2022
  • UNICEF Shield

    Sharjah, UAE
    16 January 2020
  • «Mother of the Nation» Order

    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 
    25 November 2019

  • Gold Medal from Jagielski University

    Kraków, Poland
    15 October 2019
  • Shield from Arab League

    Sharjah, UAE
    7 April 2019

  • The prestigious gold necklace of the World Organisation of Folk Art

    Sharjah, UAE
    2 April 2019
  • Distinguished Personality Award of 2018

    Cairo, Egypt
    4 February 2019
  • Shield from Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

    Cairo, Egypt
    6 November 2017
  • Shield from National Institute of Oncology

    Cairo, Egypt
    6 November 2017
  • Order of the Arab Organization for Education, First Class

    Sharjah, UAE
    2 October 2017
  • Bronze Wolf Award

    Sharjah, UAE
    9 February 2016

  • Baden-Powell Award

    Sharjah, UAE
    4 February 2016
  • Germany's Grand Order of Merit with Star

    Sharjah, UAE
    2 July 2015
  • Shield from the Arab League

    Cairo, Egypt
    13 May 2015
  • Order of the Republic, one of Egypt’s highest awards

    Cairo, Egypt
    11 May 2015
  • Medal of Arab Tourism

    Sharjah, UAE
    5 February 2015
  • Armenian Honor Award

    Armenia
    30 January 2014
  • Medal of the Academy

    Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, Portugal
    3 October 2013
  • Zayed Medal for The President Merit Award for Culture, Arts and Literature

    UAE, Abu Dhabi
    2 December 2012
  • Gold Medal, International Theatre Institute

    Xiamen, China
    19 Sept 2011

  • Medal of GCC Cooperation

    Sharjah, UAE
    9 February 2010
  • Key of Hope

    Sharjah, UAE
    11 November 2009
  • Gold Medal, Union of Arab Universities

    Amman, Jordan
    April 2009
  • Distinction Trophy

    Cairo, Egypt
    16 March 2008
  • Arab Archeologists' shield

    Sharjah, UAE 
    8 December 2005
  • The Medal of Merit in Work

    Yerevan, Armenia
    19 September 2005
  • Distinction Trophy, Arab Scout Organization

    Sharjah, UAE
    6 April 2005
  • National Order of Merit, Republic of Senegal

    30 May 2004
  • Human Rights Medal (UNESCO)

    Paris, France
    17 December 2003
  • Republican Order in Art and Humanity, of the class of a Knight

    Paris, France 
    22 July 2003

  • Reproduction key of Alhambra Palace

    Granada, Spain
    10 July 2003
  • Order of ISESCO

    Sharjah, UAE
    16 December 1998

  • Gold Trophy

    Tunis
    21 November 1998
  • Avicenna Gold Medal (UNESCO)

    Paris, France
    26 October 1998
  • Zayed II Medal of First Grade

    Abu Dhabi, UAE
    2 December 1996
  • Gold Medal

    Istanbul, Turkey
    October 1990
  • Sudanese Republican Sash of Honor

    Khartoum, Sudan 
    17 February 1987
  • Order of Leopold

    United Arab Emirates 
    21 January 1985
  • Key of Vallejo City, San Francisco

    California, USA
    6 May 1976
  • Republican Order

    Tunis, Republic of Tunisia
    27 March 1975
  • Sudanese Republican Sash of Honor

    Sudan 
    23 April 1972

Awards

  • Nile Award for Arab Innovators

    United Arab Emirates
    17 October 2024

  • Egyptian Theatre Festival Actors’ Syndicate Award

    Egypt
    8 October 2024

  • Excellence of Supporting Poetry Creativity Award

    Egypt
    29 January 2020
  • Landscape Magazine Award

    United Arab Emirates
    21 November 2019
  • Fatima bint Mubarak Award for Motherhood & Childhood

    United Arab Emirates
    20 November 2018
  • Simon Master Chairman’s Award

    United kingdom
    15 March 2017
  • Arab excellence award in support of poetic creativity

    Egypt 
    8  February 2017

  • Arab Creativity Award «March of Giving»

    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    13 December 2016
  • Cultural Personality of the Year

    Jerusalem, Palestine
    8 April 2015
  • International Award for Tobacco Control, World Health Organization (WHO)

    United Arab Emirates
    17 March 2015
  • Asian Chess Federation Personality of the Year

    United Arab Emirates 
    4 June 2014
  • Gulf Theatre Festival Personality of the Year

    United Arab Emirates
    24 May 2014
  • Distinguished Heritage Personality 2013

    United Arab Emirates
    3 April 2013
  • Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Prize for Arabian Peninsula History Studies

    Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    19 March 2012
  • Gulf School Theatre Pioneers Award

    Bahrain
    3 May 2012
  • Arab Federation for Libraries and Information Award

    Sudan
    19 December 2011
  • Creative Sports Award

    United Arab Emirates
    2010
  • Cultural Personality of the Year, Sheikh Zayed Book Award for 2010

    United Arab Emirates
    3 March 2010
  • Distinguished Personality of the Year

    United Arab Emirates
     2009
  • Centennial Shield of Cairo University

    Egypt 
    2008
  • Princess Fatima Ismail Distinguished Award

    Egypt 
    2008
  • Distinguished Personality of the Year; Al Qareen 10th Cultural Festival

    Kuwait
    13 January 2004
  • King Faisal International Islamic Award

    KSA
    2002
  • Islamic History and Arts Research Institute Award

    Turkey
    25 October 2000
  • Academic Excellence, Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Award

    United Arab Emirates
    22 November 1989

Highlights & Glimpses

  • Sharjah, world culture meets

    • Sharjah, Cultural Capital of the Arab, 1998.
    • Sharjah, Islamic Culture Capital, 2014.
    • Sharjah, Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015.
    • Sharjah, Healthy City, 2015.
    • Sharjah, Child Friendly City, 2015.
    • Sharjah, Capital of Arab Press, 2016.
    • Sharjah, Age Friendly City, 2017.
    • Sharjah, Accessible City for the Physically Disabled, 2018.
    • Sharjah, World Book Capital, 2019.
    • UNICEF's Child-Friendly Cities Initiative Inspire Award,  2019.
    • UNESCO's selection of Sharjah as a "crafts and folk art" city for the Creative Cities Network, 2019.
    • Sharjah, Arab Sports Culture Capital, 2021.
    • Sharjah, Healthy City, 2022.
      • Conservation of National Heritage and Arab Identity

        • Restoration and maintenance of traditional buildings and re-opening of old places in Sharjah such as Al Arsah Historical Souq, the Al Merijah area, the Al Shwaihain area, etc.), 1994.
        • Rebuilding of the Old Sharjah Fort where Sharjah records are archived and which has become a museum for the emirate, 1997.
      • Sultan Awards... Incentives for Creativity and Skills’ Enhancement

        • Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity

        This award was launched in 1997 (First edition). Following, many decades, it now become an important center for Arab creators and led to the discovery of many poets, novelists, story writers, critics and playwrights. 

        • Sharjah Award for Arab Culture- UNESCO

        This award was launched in 1998, in celebration of selecting Sharjah as the Arab Cultural Capital, and to recognize efforts by cultural figures who contributed to the development and spread of Arab culture in the world.

        • Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work

        The first award of its kind in UAE and Arab world, launched in 2001, to support and encourage all voluntary work.

        • Sharjah Award for the Best PhD Thesis in Administrative Sciences in the Arab World

        The Award has been established in 2001 to encourage researchers in the Arab world to monitor the practices of their management experiences in order to find frameworks and milestones for Arab administration. In 2014 the award was developed to include administrative and financial studies. 

        • Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Award for Best Arab Theatrical Performance

        The competition was launched in 2011 between Arab theatres to select the best Arab play to be performed during the Sharjah Theatrical days. 

        • Sharjah Award for Arab Poetry

        The award was launched in 2011 to honor pioneers of Arab poetry. A local and Arab figure is honored every year.

        • Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage

        The award was launched in 2017 to recognize the effort exerted locally, regionally and internationally in the field of preserving, documenting and sustaining elements of cultural heritage.

        • ALECSO- Sharjah Award for Language and Lexical Studies

        This award was launched in 2017 with the aim of supporting research and intellectual production in the field of linguistic and lexical studies and to highlight cognitive aspects with respect to Arabic language.

        • Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth

        The award was launched in 2019 with aim of refining daily talents and skills and enhancing the will of Emirati youth through multidisciplinary challenges including volunteering, adventures and skills.

        • Sharjah Award for Literary Poetic Criticism

        This unique award in the Arab world, was launched in 2020 to serve the Arab poetry and upgrading poetic talents, especially the new generation.

      • Fostering Culture, Arts, Education and Sciences

        • Sharjah Creative Thinking Foundation that deals with Arabic publishing. One of its publications is the 33-volume Islamic Encyclopaedia in Cairo, Egypt, beginning from early 1990s.
        • Sharjah TV& Radio in 1989.
        • Creation of an Arts Zone in the Shwaihain area in Old Sharjah in 1993.
        • Culture and Information Department,1981.
        • Sharjah International Book Fair, 1981.
        • Network of Public Libraries in Sharjah, 1987.
        • Sharjah Police Award for the Arab World.
        • Sharjah Biennial Exhibition,1993.
        • Islamic Art Festival in Sharjah, 1998.
        • Culture without Borders to provide a home library for each family in Sharjah, 2008.
        • Al Qasimi publications, 2008.
        • Sharjah Arts Foundation, 2010.
        • Sharjah Center for Astronomy & Space Sciences 2015.
        • Sharjah Book Authority, 2015.
        • Al Majaz Amphitheatre, 2015.
        • Sharjah Institute for Heritage, 2015.
        • Sharjah Publishing City, 2015.
        • Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, 2017.
        • Sharjah Private Education Authority, 2018. 
        • Sharjah Maritime Academy, 2019.
        • Sharjah Education Academy, 2020.
        • University of Khorfakkan, 2022.
      • Nurturing civic awareness, participation, and social responsibilities

        • The establishment of many non-governmental organizations to promote social interactions between the communities and the government.
        • The establishment of Sharjah Consultative Council to involve the people of Sharjah in the development and review of projects at all levels within the Emirate of Sharjah.
        • The establishment of 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.
      • Social Care

        • Centers for social care and rehabilitation of disabled people, 1999.
        • Elderly Care Centers, 1986.
        • Establishment of cultural, social, scientific andsports centers, for women, children and youth, 1981.
        • Sponsoring the Annual Arab Children’s Gathering in Sharjah. Since 1998.
        • Establishment of Centers for ladies and children in Sharjah.
        • Establishment of Youth Centers in Sharjah.
        • Establishment of Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.
      • Touring Sharjah Cultural Festival 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 attention of the peoples of the World.

      • 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.
        • Adoption of Islamic Architecture in public buildings and market places.
        • Expansion of green landscapes, public gardens and parks.
        • Creation of the Islamic Botanic Garden which is the first of its kind in the region.
        • Creation of model active and attractive free zones in the Emirate.