For the intellectual and the politician to meet up with the decision-maker, means shortening the path towards achievement, especially when the decision-maker is close to people’s pulse and expresses for them. When he is an intellectual and a responsible politician, this means his perspective about people’s rights, well-being and happiness is more. Such is the case in the Emirate of Sharjah, which Allah endowed with a ruler, father, intellectual and a wise man in His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. As well, His Highness bears a strategic vision for the future within the framework of the UAE.

This vision grew, deepened, and took root over the passage of the days. With achievements over the course of five decades at all levels, political, social, cultural, legal, educational, health, environmental, and others. Such vision is manifested in a society of tolerance, acceptance of the other, equality and partnership. This is one of the most important goals of the UAE since its foundation by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The renaissance that has been achieved in the UAE in general and the Emirate of Sharjah in particular is linked to the achievements of Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi. As he is a unifying figure for science and culture and a prominent promoter for construction, urbanization and human service. As stated in the tweet of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, when he congratulated him on the anniversary of his accession to power in Sharjah last January.

During his assumption of the reins of power, and to this day, His Highness launched many humanitarian and cultural initiatives of Emirati, Gulf and Arab dimensions. These achievements encompassed the fields of science, culture, economy and development. The human growth, and happiness were the primary and ultimate goals of His Highness.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi has taken it upon himself to consolidate and strengthen the bonds of union, which he spoke about in the book “Hadith Al Thakira”, so that it will remain an asset for future generations. In the book, he dealt with the consolidation of the pillars of the state, raising the citizens’ quality of life, and making the emirate one of the leading and prestigious regions in the world for human well-being at the level of education, health, employment, social security and retirement, as well as family care, development of women's capabilities and empowerment, childhood and motherhood care, and others.

His Highness worked with a visionary, futuristic mentality, within the framework of a long-term strategy based on the human being, as he considers the human aspect as the most important asset. This is the path on which the UAE embarked on based on the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed.

Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi was preoccupied with culture in its various aspects, because he realised that no real advancement could be achieved, or his lofty goals attained without gaining real progress in the field of culture. His Highness endorsed Emirati and Arab cultural projects, supported innovative publishers and their inventive works. He also inaugurated Sharjah Publishing City, upheld public libraries, and worked to update their content and provided them with the latest versions.

The Sharjah International Book Fair, which is being held in its 41st session these days, is one of the main pillars on which the cultural project of Sheikh Sultan was founded. His Highness stated in his words that this exhibition expresses a cultural, philosophical and literary background that reflects the image of the Emirate of Sharjah, and the UAE.