His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced the release of his latest historical work, "Majma' Al Tawarikh", a comprehensive 45-volume collection offering meticulously documented and accurate historical records.

His Highness described the publication as a gift to researchers and scholars across the Gulf region and the Arabian Peninsula, noting that it will be available ahead of the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair.

Reaffirming Sharjah’s commitment to heritage preservation, His Highness underscored the emirate’s continued efforts in restoring and protecting archaeological sites. He highlighted the ongoing restoration of heritage landmarks such as the Kayed bin Adwan Al Qasimi Fort in Kalba and the reconstruction of Al Qawasim Fort, with careful preservation of underlying artifacts and the Portuguese-era foundations in Dibba.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, emphasised the importance of preserving and protecting heritage sites during a phone interview on the “Direct Line” programme, aired on Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. His Highness stated, “In Sharjah, we spare no effort in researching, renovating, and maintaining heritage sites.”

He recalled the search for the historic castle of Kayed bin Adwan Al Qasimi in Kalba, noting that while its existence was known, its precise location had long remained uncertain. Initially, while filming heritage documentaries in the Al Ghail area, it was believed the fort may have stood there. However, subsequent discoveries confirmed its location on the coast.

A pivotal moment came with the publication of a book containing documents detailing Portuguese-built castles. The documentation provided researchers with reliable references to identify and describe these historic structures. The records indicated that Kalba Fort had been constructed atop the remnants of Kayed Fort, which was referenced three times in the historical sources.

His Highness explained that Kalba Fort is situated directly on the beachfront, while approximately 200 to 300 metres west lies the foundation of another structure. While archaeologists initially believed it to be a Portuguese fort, heritage specialists suggested it was local due to its completeness. To verify, experts were invited from Portugal and consulted archives, which confirmed that the western foundation indeed belonged to a Portuguese fort. According to their findings, the original structure was destroyed by flooding and strong waves. The Portuguese subsequently reused the stones to rebuild the fort at a higher elevation inland.

This discovery, His Highness noted, reflects Sharjah’s commitment to combining historical research, archaeology, and international collaboration to safeguard its rich cultural legacy.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah shared new insights into the historic forts in Kalba, stating: “When comparing the two forts, we find them nearly identical, except for one differing corner. This distinction confirms that the original fort was the one destroyed by the waves, while the current reconstructed structure slightly diverges at that corner.”

He continued, “We believe we built on the original site of the Kayed bin Adwan Al Qasimi Fort. I’ve been overseeing excavation efforts around the area. Initially, the Portuguese experts did not inform us that the original fort had been relocated. Once they clarified this, His Excellency Dr Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, instructed further exploration at the former site.”

His Highness concluded by affirming the results: “Indeed, the fort of Kayed bin Adwan Al Qasimi was found at the original location. Thanks to God, we have succeeded in preserving an important part of our national heritage.”

His Highness revealed that as part of the Emirate’s Heritage Preservation Project, a series of short films has been produced to showcase Sharjah’s rich cultural and historical legacy.

He noted that the Lebanese Rahbani Company, known for its expertise in film, heritage, and music, was commissioned to carry out the project. “We created around 15 short films, each lasting between one and two minutes, focusing on various heritage sites in the Emirate of Sharjah. These films are intended to be broadcast as interludes between television programmes,” he said.

His Highness emphasised that every element of the country, from its trees to its terrain, contributes to the people’s deep-rooted connection to their land. “God willing, we will return to telling the stories of these forts through historical films, just as we did with the Khorfakkan film,” he said.

He added that the people of Kalba have called for a similar cinematic portrayal of their city’s history, and affirmed: “We will, God willing, fulfill that request. Our development efforts are focused on enhancing the nation's identity while removing distortions that affect its image.”

Concluding, His Highness said: “Thanks be to God, our development is progressing rapidly, and, God willing, future generations will carry forward all that we have built and preserved.”

 “Al Hisn”: A journey through Dibba’s heritage and antiquities

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi continued speaking about Sharjah’s heritage landmarks, sharing the rich and layered history of “Al Hisn” in Dibba.

He explained, “We have a fort in Dibba called ‘Al Hisn,’ and it has an extraordinary story. It dates back to the era of rulers who came from Hormuz. When the Portuguese later occupied the region, they built over the original structure—extending its upper sections and constructing their own fort on top of it.”

His Highness went on to recount that when the Qawasim arrived, Ibrahim bin Sultan constructed Al Qawasim Fort in 1830 and left his son to oversee the city. Later, Abdul Aziz—may God have mercy on him—demolished the original Sharjah Fort and built a concrete structure in its place. “When I came, we removed that cement building because it had no historical value. It was an eyesore,” he said.

He affirmed that the current efforts aim to restore Al Qawasim Fort as a historical site while preserving the antiquities beneath it. “There are ancient ruins and Portuguese foundations under the Qawasim Fort. We’ve officially registered these as antiquities,” His Highness said.

To maintain the historical integrity of the site, His Highness explained that the restoration followed a layered preservation approach. “We didn’t alter the underlying ruins. We covered them with a roof, then built Al Qawasim Fort above. The Portuguese remains are untouched and still visible,” he noted.

Visitors will soon be able to explore both layers of history. “Anyone who wants to view the ruins can take an elevator down to see them. Above, on the rooftop, stands Dibba Fort,” he added.

Addressing public curiosity about the lengthy timeline of the project, His Highness concluded: “We’re working slowly and carefully—not out of delay, but out of respect for the heritage. We want to preserve both the antiquities and the fort, without tampering with either.”

"Majma' Al Tawarikh": A landmark historical reference for Gulf and Arab Peninsula scholars

His Highness announced a new and significant historical project—his upcoming book titled "Majma' Al Tawarikh."

Speaking about the work, His Highness said: “I am currently finalising a historical project, Majma' Al Tawarikh, which, God willing, will be published soon—possibly before the Sharjah International Book Fair. This book is a gift to researchers in the Gulf region and the Arabian Peninsula.”

The book comprises 45 volumes, drawing from English, Portuguese, French, and Ottoman sources. These volumes consolidate vast collections of historical materials into a single, accessible reference. “Researchers will find within it meticulously documented and detailed information, saving them significant time and effort,” he said.

His Highness emphasised the book's academic value, especially for those pursuing postgraduate studies in history. He also highlighted that the book is not a reinterpretation but a compilation of primary sources, with each document carefully attributed to its original reference.

Outstandingly, His Highness clarified a critical guideline for those citing the book in their academic work: “Anyone using this book for research or doctoral studies should not list Majma' Al Tawarikh as the source. Instead, they must cite the original document referenced within the book. Every document in Majma' Al Tawarikh is fully attributed.”

The project reflects His Highness’s long-standing commitment to preserving, organising, and sharing the region's historical heritage in a form that empowers serious academic research.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah added: “Our mission in researching and writing books is to serve history. For instance, I have studied Dutch documents dating back to 1624 AD, starting from the fall of Hormuz and the expulsion of the Portuguese from Persia. This project required four years of research at the Dutch Document Centre in The Hague, where I examined around 1,000 files covering Persian affairs, trade, and various other topics. I then spent another four years extracting and organising the information. The challenge was greater because the research involved multiple languages. God willing, this work will contribute valuable knowledge to the history of the region. We encourage researchers in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula to engage with the book Majma’ Al-Tawarikh, which covers the Arabian Peninsula and Persia—including Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Basra, Dir’iyah, the Hijaz, Persia, and the Ottomans in Baghdad. God willing, this effort will benefit many.”

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, listens attentively to the concerns of his people, directs solutions, and closely follows up on their implementation. He concluded his remarks by saying: "While Majma’ Al-Tawarikh is mainly intended for researchers and scholars, we are mindful of the needs of all people, regardless of age or background. We listen carefully to their demands and work to fulfill them. Whenever I receive a complaint from one of my sons or daughters through the Direct Line programme, I immediately reach out to the responsible authorities. I discuss the issue with the managers, explaining the problem and the steps needed to resolve it. Our approach is not just to issue directives; we personally follow up and maintain direct communication with officials to ensure that the promised solutions are effectively implemented on the ground, providing reassurance to our community."

In response to a complaint from caller "Abu Khalifa" who said that ‘University of Al Dhaid University requires students to have an IELTS certificate to be admitted to its colleges, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of University of Al Dhaid, responded in another phone call via the programme, saying: "There are colleges at University of Al Dhaid that require students to be proficient in the English language. For example, the College of Agriculture requires English because it contains resources in English. Therefore, the university requires knowledge of a student's English language level before they enroll in the College of Agriculture. Those who do not have a sufficiently proficient English language level to enroll in the college will not be rejected by the university. Rather, they will be offered a special English language course that will enable them to master it to the level required for study at the College of Agriculture. University of Al Dhaid does not reject a student because they do not have a certificate in English, nor does the College of Veterinary Medicine. Rather, they qualify them for admission through an English language course as a course at the university."