In the contemporary Arab—and indeed global—cultural landscape, the name of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, emerges as one of the most distinguished and influential figures in crafting a holistic civilizational paradigm. His Highness has positioned heritage at the very heart of political discourse, intellectual inquiry, and human development.
Since assuming leadership of the Emirate of Sharjah in 1972, his vision has transcended the conventional parameters of urban and economic progress. Instead, he has advanced a profound civilizational philosophy—one that reimagines the relationship between human beings and their environment, between history and the horizon of the future, and between cultural identity and the imperatives of modernity.
From the earliest milestones of his extensive record of achievement, His Highness discerned that heritage is not a static relic of the past but rather a dynamic epistemological system—an ethical and aesthetic reservoir, and simultaneously, a vehicle for both resistance and reconstruction. Embracing the profound responsibility of what Paul Ricoeur termed the "liberation of memory," His Highness sought to release heritage from the confines of stagnation and reanimate it as a generative force for cultural and societal renewal. This vision has been actualized through dozens of pioneering projects and initiatives over the decades, which today stand as seminal references in the philosophy of heritage investment—affirming its potency in shaping the present and imagining the future.
One of the most defining hallmarks of the Qasimi philosophical experience in the governance of cultural affairs lies in its rare capacity to translate philosophical vision into enduring institutional frameworks. Within His Highness’s broader civilizational project, heritage is not relegated to rhetorical expression or abstract theorization; rather, it is actualized through the establishment of museums, research institutes, festivals, legal instruments, and vibrant platforms for civic engagement. It becomes an architecture of meaning embedded in the lived experience of society.
Landmark initiatives such as the “Sharjah Institute for Heritage”, which has earned global recognition, the “House of Wisdom”, and the “Sharjah Documentation and Research Foundation”, serve as tangible manifestations of this philosophy. In each of these institutions, heritage is not preserved as a static legacy but sustained as a “living system” animated by dialogue, interpretation, and creativity.
This philosophical trajectory may be aptly aligned with Aleida Assmann’s theory of cultural memory, which posits that societies sustain and reproduce their identities through the ongoing reinterpretation of their heritage. It is precisely this principle that Dr. Sultan the Thinker so compellingly embodies—recasting memory not as a closed narrative confined to the past, but as an open, evolving knowledge project. In this vision, memory becomes a collective endeavor in which educational institutions, cultural practitioners, and society at large are engaged participants, contributing to a living discourse that shapes identity, informs values, and guides future aspirations.
Over the course of decades, I have had the honor of participating in numerous initiatives, awards, projects, and institutional endeavors inspired by the vision, thought, and steadfast guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi. As a close observer, researcher, and engaged participant, I have studied these singular cultural undertakings in depth and witnessed firsthand their profound and positive impact on Emirati society and its cultural and civilizational fabric. Among the many remarkable examples—too numerous to list exhaustively—is the widely celebrated initiative “Culture Without Borders”, through which hundreds of thousands of home libraries were distributed to Emirati families. This groundbreaking project was designed to democratize culture and liberate it from the confines of elitism. It offers a living embodiment of what Pierre Bourdieu refers to as cultural capital, where access to knowledge becomes not only a tool of enlightenment, but a fundamental condition for social justice and human empowerment.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi has devoted special attention to traditional crafts, folk arts, and the full spectrum of the UAE’s tangible and intangible heritage. Under his visionary leadership, numerous traditional industries—such as Sadu weaving, spinning, and Khoos (palm frond crafts), among others—have been revived and reintroduced through contemporary exhibitions and supported by dedicated artisanal and artistic marketing platforms. This renaissance has breathed new life into these crafts and restored their place within the modern cultural economy. It stands as a compelling embodiment of what is often referred to as productive heritage, wherein tradition is reimagined as a source of creativity and economic innovation.
Architecture stands as one of the most striking expressions of the Qasimi Cultural Philosophy, wherein heritage is not merely preserved, but actively reimagined through urban design that reflects and reinforces cultural identity. Historic markets, forts, and traditional houses have been meticulously restored in ways that honor their original spirit while seamlessly integrating principles of sustainability and contemporary functionality. This architectural vision has positioned Sharjah as a living testament to the harmony between authenticity and innovation—an achievement recognized globally when UNESCO designated Sharjah as a Creative City in the field of crafts and folk arts.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi stands as a profound embodiment of a philosophical model of moral and cultural governance. To him, heritage is not merely a relic of the past, but a vision, a force, and a responsibility. In his seminal work “My early life” and across his broader intellectual corpus, His Highness reconstructs the national narrative from within, endowing it with a voice that speaks to both domestic and international audiences in the language of reason, dignity, and cultural pride.
He offers a distinguished, practice-driven model wherein ideas are institutionalized, symbols are transformed into actionable initiatives, and identity is projected forward as a sustainable future. His journey is a complete and compelling articulation of the theory of heritage as a civilizational act, wherein heritage is understood as both an epistemological and practical domain—one that informs public policy, education, economic innovation, and diplomacy.
Can there be a more authentic exemplary of the philosopher-thinker ruler than the Ruler of Sharjah? And can there be a nobler path than the one charted by His Highness—honoring, preserving, and renewing heritage, while elevating cultural identity as a catalyst for societal inspiration and balanced cultural advancement?
Source: Al-Bayan Newspaper – Dr. Moza Ghubash