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.
During the event, His Highness delivered a speech, stating: "This is not my first visit to this great institution; I had the honor of receiving an honorary doctorate from your esteemed university seven years ago. My connection with Portuguese history goes back many years, during which I worked to document our country’s history at a time when the Portuguese were part of it. One of my most important journeys in this research was tracing the Barbosa Manuscript, which had been missing for nearly 100 years before being discovered, and I acquired it in 2012."
Regarding the Barbosa Manuscript, His Highness added: "This manuscript contains a text written by the Portuguese officer Duarte Barbosa, who accompanied Portuguese colonial leaders in the 16th century from the Gulf of San Sebastian to the coasts of China, passing through our region in the Arabian Gulf. I traced this manuscript from one archive to another, from one reference to the next, until I obtained a complete copy, which I studied carefully. I found it presents a completely different perspective from the accounts we had been given about that historical period."
The Ruler of Sharjah praised Barbosa’s honesty and accuracy in recording events, saying: "What struck me most in the manuscript was the author’s integrity in description and truthfulness in reporting, which makes it a rare testimony detailing our region at that time and the nature of relationships between its people and outsiders. Barbosa, unknowingly, restored balance to a narrative that had long been distorted at a time when authentic documentation was rare and courageous. He illuminated Portuguese history and did justice to its present while honouring the Arab past, documenting the presence, virtues, and humanity of its people. Barbosa affirmed that despite the challenges and occupation faced by the peoples of our region, they maintained their humanity, embraced others, and upheld dignity and coexistence among nations and religions."
His Highness continued: "Barbosa also described the progress achieved by the people of the region in various fields—science, culture, urban development, trade systems, and societal civilisation—while clearly indicating that occupying powers from across the seas engaged in destruction, plundering, and domination."
Regarding the reasons for publishing his book, His Highness said: "When I decided to publish this book and translate it into Arabic, English, and Portuguese, I was not merely seeking historical validation but true justice for our people, restoring their narrative as seen by a contemporary witness. I believe that knowledge grounded in truth forms a strong bridge for dialogue and a solid foundation for building relationships between peoples. Therefore, I was keen to preserve Barbosa’s language as he wrote it, maintaining his honesty and humility, conveying his voice without colouring or alteration, as I found in him the spirit of a sincere researcher documenting what he saw.
His Highness added: "This is what I intended with the book: to provide future generations with a robust knowledge document to guide their civilisational dialogues in a world where concepts change overnight and narratives are contested through power rather than justice. Today, I stand before you bringing the original Barbosa Manuscript and my book A Momentous Journey as a gift, placing the source of the narrative in the hands of its rightful custodians."
His Highness announced the opening of the Centre for Arabic Studies, stating: "I am pleased to inaugurate the Centre for Arabic Studies at the University of Coimbra, marking the first teaching of Arabic at this esteemed institution and opening a window for engagement with literature, art, and creativity in the Arab world. This inauguration reflects a sincere desire to give Arab culture meaningful space for interaction, openness, and dialogue as an essential pillar impacting shared human development, and to provide non-Arabic speakers with the opportunity to explore the richness of Arab culture, its civilisation, and future horizons."
His Highness also announced the launch of the Joanina Digital Library, a project completed in cooperation with the University of Coimbra, expressing hope for continued collaboration to elevate the value of knowledge for present and future generations. He concluded: "Today, from here, we affirm to the world that culture may not change geography, but it changes the way we view it. It may not erase borders, but it can turn them into living bridges and spaces for encounter. Culture does not change history, but it changes the way we read it."