Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate of Sharjah in 2025 advanced its comprehensive developmental journey—harmoniously nurturing human potential while enhancing its spaces, safeguarding its identity, and embracing the promise of the future.
In 2025, Sharjah entered a mature phase of its integrated civilizational project, where sustainable development intertwines with culture, and human values form the unwavering foundation of every policy, initiative, and decision—crafting a future anchored in knowledge, continuity, and purposeful progress.
The year 2025 saw remarkable advancements across food security, urban development, and infrastructure. Key achievements included bolstering the agricultural sector and local production, enhancing road networks and traffic systems, and expanding housing projects while providing compensation for those affected by government initiatives. Collectively, these efforts strengthened a stable and secure living environment, addressing the needs of citizens and aligning with the demands of future growth.
In the social sphere, His Highness continued to champion family stability and the enhancement of quality of life through forward-thinking social policies and legislation. Initiatives included creating employment opportunities, settling the debts of those facing financial hardship, and launching impactful programs for the elderly and people with disabilities—reinforcing the principle that human well-being remains both the focus and ultimate goal of development.
On the cultural, academic, and knowledge fronts, 2025 was marked by a wealth of initiatives that further cemented Sharjah’s status as a global hub for culture and knowledge. The Emirate hosted major cultural events, launched scientific encyclopaedias, supported research endeavours, and inaugurated academic centres both domestically and abroad, while maintaining an active presence in international cultural and humanitarian forums.
The Official Website of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah records the achievements of 2025 as a living testament to the vision of His Highness, demonstrating that these accomplishments are not fleeting successes but enduring foundations in a long-term developmental journey—where economic and social progress harmonizes with the preservation of heritage and national identity.
The year added another chapter to Sharjah’s path of giving, conveying a continuing message that inspires generations and lays the groundwork for a brighter, more pioneering future.
At its core, human well-being remains central to every decision, with dignity recognized as the foundation of development.
In 2025, Sharjah reaffirmed its commitment to placing people at the forefront of priorities through decisive actions and qualitative initiatives addressing housing, employment, and social stability. Notable milestones included:
January 21: Approval of AED 15 million to resolve construction issues in 70 stalled government homes, reinforcing the stability of citizen families.
February 3: Directive to employ 500 citizens across local government entities in various cities and regions of the emirate.
February 6: Approval of an additional grant for families supported by the Social Services Department, raising their standard of living to AED 17,500.
February 25: Approval of 76,350,000 dirhams to settle the debts of 147 convicted individuals in financial cases and deceased insolvent individuals.
April 2: Approval of 67 million dirhams in compensation for landowners affected by government projects in the city of Kalba.
April 21: Launch of the 'Neighbours of the Prophet' endowment project to support the orphans of the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation.
May 5: Approval of 'care leave' as a new paid leave for working mothers who have given birth to children with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
May 20: Rewarding the first team of Sharjah Football Club, winner of the AFC Champions League, with 20 million dirhams.
June 2: Approval of 400 new jobs in government entities for the citizens of the emirate.
June 9: Approval of an additional 100 million dirhams in compensation for owners of old houses in the Al-Mudam area.
July 14: Approval of AED 335 million as a new disbursement for beneficiaries of housing support in the emirate, allocated to critical cases and benefiting 431 families.
August 7: Establishment and regulation of the Sharjah Family and Community Council to support His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in overseeing family and community affairs.
August 11: Approval of the employment of 700 citizens and the promotion of 1,523 employees within the Sharjah government.
September 3: Establishment and organization of the Sharjah Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
September 30: Approval of 1,500 residential land plots for citizens of the Emirate of Sharjah.
October 8: Directive to provide free home-care services for elderly individuals with limited income.
October 21: Setting the annual licensing fee for home-license holders at the Jumaa Market and adjacent shops in Mleiha at a symbolic rate of one dirham.
October 27: Approval of 450 new employment opportunities for citizens across all university specializations, meeting the needs of government entities throughout the emirate.
November 24: Settlement of the debts of 143 insolvent and convicted individuals, totalling AED 73,786,000.
Knowledge is the pillar of renaissance, and awareness is the path to sustainability.
Throughout 2025, Sharjah further consolidated its standing as a leading centre for science and knowledge by advancing education, supporting scientific research, and launching landmark academic initiatives. Key milestones included:
March 18: Launch of the third phase of the Encyclopaedia of Rhetorical Interpretation and the second encyclopaedia dedicated to individual approaches to Qur’anic readings.
May 21: Signing of an agreement to digitize the UNESCO Global Archive, supported by a USD 6 million grant from the Sharjah Book Authority.
July 25: His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah received the Honorary President’s Medal from the University of Exeter in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and scientific research.
September 15: Publication of History of Al Qawasem in five volumes, the culmination of forty years of research and documentation.
October 4: Inauguration of the Arab Studies Centre at the University of Coimbra in Portugal, alongside the launch of the Joanina Digital Library.
November 10: Allocation of USD 2 million in support of research and development for the Magdi Yacoub Valve.
December 15: Establishment of the University of Arts in Sharjah under the presidency of Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi.
December 18: Launch of the first phase of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopaedia of Sciences, Literature, Arts, and Media.
Culture in Sharjah continues as a living and uninterrupted journey.
Throughout 2025, the Emirate reaffirmed culture as a core pillar of its identity, expressed through enduring events, institutions, and innovative creative initiatives:
January 6: Opening of the 21st Sharjah Festival of Arabic Poetry, with the participation of more than 70 poets, critics, and media figures from across the Arab world.
January 22: Celebration of the centenary of Sharjah’s public libraries.
February 3: Opening of the 19th Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival.
February 10: Establishment of the Sheikha Jawaher Collection Museum in the Sharjah Creative District.
February 12: Opening of Bayt Al Lawal in the heart of Sharjah, blending culinary excellence with cultural heritage through an innovative vision by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi.
February 13: Opening of the Sharjah Scout Commission building and the Sharjah Falconers Club in Al Burair.
February 19: Opening of the 34th edition of Sharjah Theatre Days.
April 23: Opening of the 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival.
April 30: Opening of the 3rd Sharjah Animation Conference.
September 22: Opening of the 25th edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum.
September 29: Opening of the fifth edition of the Arab Cultural Heritage Forum.
November 5: Opening of the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair.
November 13: Inauguration of the regional headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) at University City.
December 16: Inscription of the Al Faya site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Balanced Development for the Present and Protection of the Future
In 2025, Sharjah advanced a series of strategic projects spanning food security, infrastructure, and urban development, reinforcing a model of balanced and sustainable growth.
January 27: Directive to establish Ghirass Agricultural Company for the production of organic fruits and vegetables.
February 20: Launch of Ghirass organic products in the greenhouse facilities of Al Dhaid City.
February 26: Harvest of the third season of Saba‘Sanabel wheat, achieving a protein content of 19.3%.
February 27: Opening of the Al Layyah Canal Project in Al Khalidiya Suburb.
May 12: Opening of Al Zubarah Old Quarter and the Shis Heritage Area in Khorfakkan.
October 27: Inauguration of the Sharjah Centre for Marine Sciences Research in Khorfakkan.
November 27: Approval of two traffic infrastructure projects valued at AED 150 million to enhance traffic flow in Sharjah City.
December 2: Launch of Independence Square Project and inauguration of Imam Al-Nawawi Mosque.
International Presence and a Cultural and Humanitarian Message
Throughout 2025, Sharjah further consolidated its international standing through strategic partnerships, global recognition, and cross-border cultural and humanitarian initiatives.
April 17: His Highness was awarded the Arab Cultural Merit Medal by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Arab culture, the preservation of civilizational identity, and the promotion of the values of a knowledge-based society.
April 24: Visit to the Muscat International Book Fair and the signing of His Highness’s latest publication, The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Events in Chronicles from 1497 to 1757.
May 21: His Highness was honoured by UNESCO on the occasion of the completion of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language.
July 1: Approval of the official boundaries of the Al Faya site nominated for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
September 4: Support for the rehabilitation of the Grand Theatre of Beirut as part of UNESCO’s international campaign.
September 10: Opening of the 14th session of the International Forum for Government Communication.
November 25: Approval of the largest unified government media complex in Sharjah, Shams Media City.
Impact
The achievements of 2025 embody the comprehensive leadership vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah—one that places the human being at the heart of development, knowledge as the foundation of the future, and culture as a message that transcends borders.
Another year is thus added to a blessed and enduring journey of giving, through which Sharjah continues to be built not only as a place, but as a lasting cultural legacy for generations to come.