His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, opened, on Friday, in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, the Centre for Arabic Studies at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. The centre is the first of its kind dedicated to teaching the Arabic language and culture in Portugal and is located at one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
His Highness also launched the Joanina Digital Library, gifted the library the rare Barbosa Manuscript dating back to 1565, and signed his book A Momentous Journey, published in Arabic, English, and Portuguese.
His Highness unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the opening of the Centre for Arabic Studies, before exploring the centre’s services, resources, and programmes designed to support Arabic language learning and cultural dissemination. His Highness met with students studying at the centre, commending their dedication to learning the rich Arabic language, its culture, and arts, which promotes cultural dialogue and preserves heritage.
The opening of the centre, supported by the Emirate of Sharjah, reflects the Sharjah Ruler’s vision to enhance the international presence of Arab culture and the UAE’s commitment to building bridges for civilisational and intellectual dialogue between East and West.
Situated at the prestigious University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, the centre gains significant academic and cultural value, establishing itself as an influential platform for connecting Arab culture with European academic experience.
The centre will organise specialised Arabic language programmes, offer advanced curricula in grammar and calligraphy, and host seminars and cultural forums bringing Arab writers and creatives together with their counterparts in Portugal and Europe.
Additionally, poets and authors from the Arab world will be invited to participate in literary and intellectual events, expanding cultural exchange and deepening mutual understanding between the Arab and European worlds.
The Centre for Arabic Studies represents the latest international initiative by the Emirate of Sharjah to enhance the presence of Arab culture in global academic institutions. It will serve as a vital link between universities and research centres, and the Arab cultural and creative output, acting as a dynamic hub for ongoing cooperation and dialogue.
Following the inauguration, His Highness visited the historic Joanina Library within the University of Coimbra, which hosted the ceremony marking the opening of the Centre for Arabic Studies and the launch of the Joanina Digital Library.
His Highness launched the Joanina Digital Library, part of a UNESCO-recognised heritage library, enabling global access to rare manuscripts and books, including 30,000 valuable items. The digitisation process led to the discovery of previously unknown manuscripts, enriching the library’s archives.
During the event, His Highness signed his book A Momentous Journey, published in Arabic, English, and Portuguese. The book is a scholarly edition of the Barbosa Manuscript, a key Portuguese document chronicling the early 16th century, including detailed accounts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and India, providing a pivotal reference for studying navigation and cultural exchange between Arabs and Portuguese during that era.
His Highness gifted the Joanina Library the original Barbosa Manuscript from 1565, upon which his book was based. The manuscript, considered one of the most complete surviving copies, had been lost for nearly 100 years and was acquired by His Highness in 2012. Despite his personal attachment, he emphasised the importance of returning the complete original to the library at the University of Coimbra.
Please click here to read His Highness' statement on this occasion.