For over five decades, the Emirate of Sharjah has flourished in the light of justice, compassion, and prosperity—guided by the wisdom and grace of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Since ascending to leadership on January 25, 1972, His Highness has kindled joy in the hearts of citizens and residents alike, nurturing a legacy of boundless giving, steadfast care, and transformative development that has touched every corner of life.
Through his enlightened vision, Sharjah has risen to global prominence—an exemplar of cultural richness and human dignity. Once a quiet emirate, it now stands as a radiant beacon admired by travellers, scholars, and seekers of a dignified life, drawn to its harmony, safety, and enduring spirit. Through profound wisdom and enlightened leadership, His Highness has cultivated a deep sense of national pride among the people of Sharjah. Under his visionary guidance, the emirate has experienced transformative growth—marked by groundbreaking infrastructure, holistic modernization, and pioneering innovation. Today, Sharjah stands as a distinguished hub of knowledge and culture, aligned with the world's most developed nations. It remains a source of enduring pride across generations, steadfast in its values and anchored in its foundational principles.
The Emirate of Civilization
Tracing the origins of this eminent leader who has profoundly shaped Sharjah’s cultural, economic, and social landscape, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi was born on Sunday, 2 July 1939, in the city of Sharjah. He is the son of Mohammed bin Saqr bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi, and his mother was Sheikha Maryam bint Sheikh Ghanem bin Sheikh Salem Al Shamsi.
Nurtured in an environment of deep patriotism and unwavering attachment to his homeland, His Highness developed an early passion for history, a reverence for knowledge, and a lifelong devotion to reading and scholarly inquiry. He memorised the Holy Qur’an under the tutelage of Sheikh Faris bin Abdulrahman. At the age of nine years and two months—specifically in September 1948—he began his formal education at Al-Islah Al-Qasimia School. In 1954, he enrolled in a private English school to study the English language, continuing his academic journey between Sharjah and Kuwait.
In late 1965, His Highness commenced his undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in 1971. His academic journey continued with distinction, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in History from the University of Exeter in 1985, followed by a second doctorate in Political Geography of the Gulf from the University of Durham in 1999.
A Journey of Service
In the early stages of his professional life, His Highness served as an English and mathematics teacher at the Industrial School in Sharjah between February 1961 and September 1963. By 1965, he had assumed the presidency of the municipality. Upon completing his university education in 1971, he returned to Sharjah and was appointed Director of the Ruler’s Office.
On 9 December 1971—just one week after the historic formation of the United Arab Emirates—His Highness was appointed Minister of Education. Shortly thereafter, on Tuesday, 25 January 1972, he assumed the leadership of the Emirate of Sharjah at the age of 32. In doing so, he became a member of the UAE Supreme Council and the 18th ruler from the esteemed Al Qasimi dynasty, whose lineage in Sharjah extends back to the year 1600 AD.
Outstanding Initiatives
Since his accession, His Highness has dedicated himself to fostering civic consciousness, nurturing social responsibility, and cultivating an engaged and empowered community. His commitment to preserving national heritage and Arab identity has been manifested through the meticulous restoration of historic neighborhoods and traditional architecture across Sharjah. Notable efforts include the revival of the Al-Arsah Souq, the Al-Mureijah neighborhood, and the Al-Shuwaiheen district in 1994. He also undertook the reconstruction of the historic Sharjah Fort, transforming it into a museum in 1997 and safeguarding the emirate’s archival records within its walls.
His Highness’s visionary initiatives transcend geographical boundaries and span an array of fields. Among the many transformative institutions he has established locally are women’s clubs, children’s and young girls’ centers, the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council, family development centers, the Sharjah Youth Shura Council, and numerous municipal councils—each a testament to his enduring dedication to inclusive development and participatory governance.
Unlimited Culture
Among His Highness’s many visionary contributions to the cultural landscape is the pioneering Knowledge Without Borders initiative, which underscores his unwavering commitment to accessible education and intellectual empowerment. His efforts have included the provision of stipends to job seekers, the transformation of all Cycle 1 schools into exemplary institutions, the distribution of free mineral water in government schools, and the launch of the Mabrah initiative aimed at holistic student welfare.
He has also spearheaded the establishment of youth centers and the creation of 1,000 Houses of Poetry throughout the Arab world—each a sanctuary for the preservation and celebration of Arabic literary heritage.
In the realm of educational equity, His Highness has ensured free health insurance for people of determination in Sharjah and launched the Lughaty project, which integrates smart technologies to promote Arabic language learning among young learners. Further initiatives include tailored education and employment programs for individuals with disabilities, the founding of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, the Islamic Manuscripts House, and the world's first publishing free zone. He also introduced the Sheikh Sultan Award for Youth Energies to encourage innovation, creativity, and civic engagement among young people.
Boundless Humanity
His Highness’s humanitarian vision transcends national boundaries, resonating globally through a host of philanthropic and cultural endeavors. Noteworthy international contributions include the establishment of the Egyptian Historical Studies Association’s headquarters, a dedicated library and information center at Cairo University’s Faculty of Agriculture, and the Thaghrah Cultural Complex in Spain. In Africa, he founded a village for orphans in Burkina Faso, while in Europe, he facilitated the construction of the Bensberg Mosque in Bavaria, Germany, and the Islamic Center in Wolfsburg. His support for global arts and culture was further solidified through a one-million-euro endowment to the International Theatre Institute.
His foreign engagements also encompass intellectual and educational institutions: sponsoring the Encyclopedia of Arab and Muslim Scientists and Writers, establishing an Islamic center in Estonia, and supporting research laboratories at Cairo University. His Highness contributed thirty million Egyptian pounds to the university and financed the restoration of its Faculty of Engineering building. He also oversaw the creation of the new headquarters for the Association of Arab Universities in Amman and played a key role in restoring the Egyptian Scientific Institute.
Additional philanthropic acts include contributions to Egypt’s cultural palaces, donations to the Egyptian Martyrs’ Families Fund amounting to two million dollars, and enriching the Egyptian Scientific Complex with rare manuscripts and books. His support extended to urban development projects in Giza’s underprivileged areas and various athletic and educational initiatives across Egypt. Moreover, His Highness has established permanent premises for the Union of Arab Archaeologists, the Union of Arab Linguistic and Scientific Academies, and the Arab Historians Union in Cairo. His efforts to nurture the next generation culminated in the founding of the Arab Children’s Parliament in Sharjah.
Source: Al Khaleej Newspaper – Special Edition