His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, awarded His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Grand Collar of the Order of Camões (Grande Colar da Ordem de Camões), the highest sovereign cultural honour in Portugal. His Highness is the first Arab figure to receive the Order of Camões and the sixth recipient worldwide.
The honour was conferred during a ceremony hosted by the Portuguese President on Thursday at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon, attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, alongside senior officials, cultural figures, and media representatives. The ceremony recognised His Highness’s global standing as one of the most prominent figures in culture, thought, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Addressing the Ruler of Sharjah, President de Sousa said: “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Portugal this year, I can think of no better way to mark this occasion than by honouring your enlightened, distinguished and open personality, and by recognising your valuable contribution to dialogue between cultures, founded on deep intellectual dedication, mutual respect and shared empathy.”
In his address, the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his happiness at the honour, highlighting its significance and the role of culture in building bridges between peoples. His Highness said: “I am pleased to receive this honour from Your Excellency and value it deeply, for it carries sincere meaning from a nation distinguished by its rich scientific and cultural history, and from a people known for their openness and respect for knowledge.”
His Highness added: “Each time I visit Portugal, I feel as though I am standing before a living history, the history of relations between this country and the nations of the Arab Gulf in particular. Through Your Excellency and this warm and generous reception, I see how history can be guided toward a new course of cooperation and constructive partnership. When I reflect upon this history today, I see a past that culture has honoured, a present of cooperation that culture has built, and a future to which culture gives hope, a future worthy of our children.”
“For this reason, I take pride in this honour being associated with Arab culture, with the cultural vision of the United Arab Emirates, and with the cultural path adopted by Sharjah, a path founded on a firm conviction that culture is a necessity, and that its absence comes at a great cost,” the Ruler of Sharjah continued.
His Highness thanked the Portuguese Republic for its engagement with world cultures and its belief in dialogue between civilisations: “Thank you for opening your nation to the cultures and knowledge of the world, and for affirming that dialogue between civilisations is not a luxury, but a human necessity. Culture is not a legacy we merely preserve, but a bridge we build with others. Our shared cultural and intellectual journey will continue, God willing, and we are committed to strengthening it in ways that benefit both sides and expand horizons of learning and partnership for future generations.”
His Highness concluded his address by expressing his condolences and deep solidarity with the Portuguese Republic following the recent storm that claimed the lives of several Portuguese citizens.