His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah stressed that France has a great role in enriching culture. Pointing out that His Highness is a student of the French culture, which enhanced the cooperation between France and United Arab Emirates in exchanging the cultural experiences.

This came during His Highness’ speech on Friday, at the launching ceremony of the French version of His Highness’ book “Bibi Fatima and The King’s Sons” in Paris.

His Highness pointed out on the importance of preserving the culture through arts, historical books, and sculptural that are displayed in many museums around France, notably Musée d'Orsay, where the ceremony was held.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah also assigned the important chronicle of the “Bibi Fatima” story, which highlights the historical aspects of the Kingdom of Hormuz under the Portuguese occupation. He pointed out that the Gulf incurred the Portuguese colonialism and then British as it showed at the end of the story.

His Highness added that France did not have a prominent presence in the Gulf because of its wars between Britain. Also Fares offered to France the ambitions on the Arabian Gulf region, but France did not colonise any country of the Gulf regions.

During his speech, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah expounded the historical status of the emirate of Sharjah, speaking of the ancient area Mleiha that called “Mlokha” in Greek, which means the “spacious place.” He added that the caravans are used to pass by Sharjah through Mleiha, to reach their destination from Sohar.