January 25 marks a historic milestone—the anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, assuming leadership in 1972. This pivotal moment ushered in an era of visionary governance, comprehensive progress, and sustainable development.
For over five decades, Sharjah has flourished under His Highness' wise leadership, achieving remarkable strides across various fields. Guided by his unwavering commitment to investing in people and ensuring a dignified life for all, the emirate has witnessed transformative advancements in infrastructure, education, and culture—solidifying its place as a beacon of knowledge, heritage, and innovation.
Sharjah has emerged as a global beacon of culture and heritage, setting a benchmark for social and economic development. His Highness' visionary leadership, which harmonizes the preservation of national identity with the pursuit of civilizational progress, has positioned Sharjah as a model of effective governance and long-term strategic planning. This balanced approach has cemented the emirate’s status as one of the leading regional and international cities in sustainable development.
Born on July 2, 1939, in Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, was nurtured with a profound love for his homeland and an enduring passion for knowledge. His academic journey began at Al-Islah Al Qasimia School in 1948, following his study of the Holy Quran, before he enrolled in the English Private School in 1954 to further his education in the English language.
His Highness continued his educational journey, moving between Sharjah, Kuwait, and Egypt, where he completed his preparatory and secondary education before enrolling at the Faculty of Agriculture at Cairo University. After graduating in 1961, he dedicated himself to education, serving as an English and Mathematics teacher at the Industrial School in Sharjah from 1961 to 1963. His leadership skills soon led him to assume the presidency of Sharjah Municipality in 1965.
With the establishment of the Union in December 1971, His Highness was appointed Minister of Education. On January 25, 1972, he ascended to the leadership of Sharjah, becoming the eighteenth ruler of the emirate from the esteemed Al Qawasim family, whose reign dates back to 1600 AD. His rule has since added illustrious chapters to the nation’s history, marked by visionary governance and transformative development.
A steadfast advocate of cultural dialogue and global exchange, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has made profound contributions to history, science, knowledge, culture, and humanitarian efforts, leaving an indelible mark on the intellectual and cultural landscape of the world.
His Highness has propelled Sharjah to the forefront of various sectors, transforming the emirate into a model of progress and innovation, a global hub for investment and balanced family life, and a beacon of knowledge and culture that inspires societies on their path to development.
With a deep commitment to fostering national awareness and social responsibility, His Highness has prioritized the well-being of citizens, implementing swift and effective decisions to address their challenges. His leadership is defined by personal engagement with the people of Sharjah, using all available means of communication—including the "Direct Line" program on Sharjah Radio—to listen to their concerns and provide thoughtful solutions.
Driven by a profound sense of duty, His Highness has dedicated his efforts to ensuring a dignified life for all citizens, shaping Sharjah into a distinguished model of governance and human-centric development. His leadership embodies the generosity and care of a devoted father, endearing him to his people and elevating the emirate to an esteemed position on both the regional and global stage.
Ambition and Sustainability Strategies
In line with His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi’s unwavering commitment to Sharjah’s future, the emirate's general budget for 2025 has been set at AED 42 billion—the largest in its history. This milestone reflects a visionary approach aimed at enhancing quality of life while ensuring financial and social sustainability.
With a steadfast focus on securing a dignified life for Sharjah’s citizens, the budget reflects a 2% increase from 2024, underscoring the government's dedication to strategic expansion and sustainable growth. A significant 27% of the budget has been allocated to salaries and wages, reinforcing the emirate’s commitment to investing in human capital, while 23% has been designated for operational expenses to maintain the excellence and efficiency of government services.
The infrastructure sector received the largest share of the budget at 41%, marking a 7% increase from the previous year—an affirmation of His Highness’s dedication to creating an optimal environment for Sharjah’s residents. By prioritizing infrastructure, the emirate strengthens a fundamental pillar of quality of life and supports its ongoing comprehensive development.
Following closely, the economic development sector secured 27% of the budget, reflecting a commitment to fostering a thriving business environment and stimulating economic growth. Meanwhile, the social development sector accounted for 22% of total expenditures, reinforcing the government’s continued efforts to provide top-tier community services. Additionally, the government administration, security, and safety sector saw an 8% increase from last year, comprising 10% of the total budget—further ensuring stability and efficiency across all facets of governance.
At the heart of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi’s leadership lies an unwavering devotion to his people. Since assuming office, he has placed the education, development, and well-being of Sharjah’s citizens at the forefront of his priorities. Through decades of generosity and visionary governance, he has transformed the emirate into a model of sustainable development, skilfully utilizing its resources to create communities that embody progress, security, and modern infrastructure.
In his steadfast commitment to ensuring a dignified and stable life for his people, His Highness established the Committee for the Treatment of Debts of Sharjah Citizens. Since its inception, the committee has disbursed 27 payments totalling AED 1.203 billion, benefitting 2,501 citizens. This initiative stands as a testament to his enduring dedication to alleviating financial burdens and fostering social stability, further solidifying Sharjah’s reputation as a beacon of prosperity and human-cantered governance.
As part of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi’s vision to support citizens and ensure a stable and dignified livelihood, he annually approves employment opportunities for Emirati nationals across various government entities. This initiative addresses the needs of job seekers while providing career paths that align with diverse professional and technical disciplines. It is a testament to the leadership’s unwavering commitment to empowering national talent and strengthening their role in Sharjah’s comprehensive development journey.
Development Projects Aimed at Empowerment
His Highness’s dedication to harnessing human potential and integrating all segments of society into the development process is evident in the ambitious projects Sharjah has launched in recent years. These initiatives not only foster economic growth but also reinforce the emirate’s role as a model for sustainable progress, ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from its flourishing future.
Among these prominent initiatives is the Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth (SSA), which aims to develop and refine the skills of young people in adventure, volunteering, and physical activities. In its fourth edition for 2024, the Award honoured 555 young men and women. The fifth edition, running until May 2025, continues to empower the new generation and inspire them to embrace creativity.
In another step to solidify Sharjah's position as a beacon of culture, His Highness directed the allocation of AED 4.5 million to support public and governmental libraries across the emirate. This initiative seeks to enrich libraries with the latest Arabic and foreign publications, which were showcased at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair. The fair witnessed the participation of over 2,500 publishers and exhibitors, further enhancing Sharjah’s role as a global cultural hub.
As part of His Highness' vision to improve the quality of life, the scope of health insurance at the University Hospital has been expanded to include citizens over the age of 45, to ensure the provision of comprehensive health care for this category. This step seeks to consolidate health and social stability, as part of the ongoing efforts to provide services that touch the needs of citizens and enhance their well-being.
To complement the efforts, Sharjah has witnessed the launch of innovative strategic projects in the field of organic and sustainable agricultural investment, most notably the production of wheat farms in Mleiha "Saba Sanabel", which is the first project to produce fully organic wheat in the Middle East, which contributes to achieving self-sufficiency in cereals through local Emirati efforts. Sharjah also launched Mleiha Organic Dairy Farm, which has emerged as one of the leading brands in the region, with 2024 seeing the launch of Mleiha Organic Milk.
In January, the organic product "Mleiha Laban" was launched during the Al Dhaid Agricultural Exhibition, which was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dhahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who praised His Highness's wise vision to promote sustainable agriculture and encourage farmers to contribute to the promotion of national agricultural products. The minister stressed that Sharjah's projects represent a successful national model in achieving an actual transformation of the food security system and meeting the country's needs of strategic crops. She also stressed the importance of empowering national farmers and supporting them to increase local production, which contributes to achieving the objectives of the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and reducing dependence on imports.
Awareness
Aligned with His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi’s vision for a generation with sustainable health, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, in collaboration with the Sharjah Private Education Authority, launched the "Baba Sultan Ambassadors for Safe Food" program. This initiative aims to educate school students and the broader community on the importance of healthy eating habits.
By promoting the concept of a safe diet as a cornerstone of healthy living, Sharjah has incorporated local and organic products into the canteens of educational institutions, fostering community-wide sustainability and promoting safe nutrition.
These efforts are part of the emirate's broader sustainability agenda, which seeks to achieve comprehensive integration of food security through agricultural and livestock products. Sharjah aims to meet its own needs for wheat, dairy, and other essentials through its advanced projects, strengthening its commitment to self-sufficiency and ensuring long-term food security for future generations.
Source: Al-Bayan Newspaper