His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Faya World Heritage Site, attended the official ceremony on Monday for the inscription of “Faya” on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
During his speech at the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi highlighted the distinctiveness of this site, noting that its rocks not only preserve the layers of time but also narrate stories of the earliest human presence on this land.
His Highness said: “Here we stand before living pages of the book of humanity—a book that shows us how humans lived, how they faced their environment, how they transformed challenges into knowledge, patience, construction, and wisdom, how they made experience a way of life, and how they turned that experience into accumulated awareness, generation after generation.”
His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, spoke about the importance of historical sites, saying: “It goes without saying that the true value of historical sites is not material, but primarily cultural and human—a value that enables people to understand their long journey on this earth, linking the present with its earliest roots, so that the future remains connected to its memory or origins. Every heritage site is an open school for generations.”
He added: “When we give these sites the study and protection they deserve, we are not merely preserving stones or relics, but accumulated knowledge and extended human experience. We help future generations build a deeper understanding of their identity and their role in the present and future, for what we preserve today safeguards our identity tomorrow.”
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah discussed the Emirate of Sharjah's efforts in supporting cultural initiatives, stating: “Heritage occupies a central position in the cultural project of the Emirate of Sharjah, for it gives culture the roots on which it relies and places it within the context through which the comprehensive image of humans and societies in this region is formed. Historical research in Faya reveals the history of humanity, teaching the meaning of community, establishing cooperation, organising work, and distributing resources. All of these elements form the fundamental pillars of the social structure, whose impact extended into subsequent ages.”
His Highness also mentioned the efforts of the researchers working on the excavations, stating, “Among the discoveries at Faya is a groundbreaking finding that changed the world’s understanding of human history. When modern excavations began, researchers did not expect Faya to challenge one of the oldest scientific assumptions about human migration. But the land spoke, and the land does not lie when it speaks through science. Finely crafted stone tools were uncovered, and analysis showed that they are over two hundred thousand years old. In that moment, scientists realised they were facing historical evidence indicating that modern humans were here, on this land, long before previously believed.”
He added: “Faya has provided a new and well-documented map of human migration and its routes, proving that the Arabian Peninsula was not merely a passageway but an early homeland in humanity’s journey from Africa to the world, a place for settlement and life. Thus, Faya is no longer just a local site in the memory of the land, but a central station in the memory of humanity. From this perspective, we do not see the inscription of Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage List as merely a recognition of this region’s history—history validates itself, and we claim no credit, though we have many duties towards it, foremost among them being loyalty and preservation. We see this inscription as a new gift that this region offers to humanity, just as it has historically given the first agriculture, the first trade, the first road networks, the first administrative systems, and the earliest civil and social structures. Through this inscription, humanity now has a new window through which to view the past of this region, to learn from it and draw guidance from the experiences of those who came before us.”
His Highness also addressed the human aspect of Faya, stating: “Through examining these evidences, it becomes evident that knowledge is not only about the past but is relevant across all eras, because humans, despite the passage of time, continue to face similar major challenges in striving for adaptation, sustainable resource use, and sound management. In the human aspect of Faya, we recognise a fundamental truth: civilisations do not develop in isolation but are shaped through communication and extensive networks that build their civilisational journey with justice and equality. This is how we interpret Faya, and this is how we comprehend heritage in the Emirate of Sharjah. We observe that investing in the protection of these sites is as important as investing in economic and scientific infrastructure and in developing human capacity. Heritage is not merely a recollection of the past—it is a foundation for the future.”
He concluded his speech by thanking Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her tremendous efforts in leading this initiative, while praising the role of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority and all partners, researchers, and specialists who contributed to reaching this milestone.