Hardly a year passes without presenting readers with a new contribution from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Over the years, he has significantly enriched both Arab and international libraries, producing a vast corpus of publications spanning diverse intellectual and creative domains. His oeuvre encompasses scientific research, historical studies, and literary works, including theatre, fiction, poetry, and language studies.

What is particularly remarkable about this distinguished body of work is its foundation in ancient and diverse sources, as many of His Highness’s writings draw upon manuscripts that date back several centuries. Furthermore, His Highness has undertaken numerous visits to museums, research institutions, and libraries worldwide, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to accuracy and scholarly rigor—qualities that consistently characterize his research-driven and disciplined intellectual approach.

During this year, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has enriched the Arab library with three new publications: “The History of the Qawasim”, “The Qawasim in Oman”, and “The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Events in the Chronicles from 1497 to 1757”.

Prior to the close of the previous year, His Highness had also released several works that exemplify his remarkable depth of historical research and investigation. What unites both his recent and earlier publications is their consistent ability to reveal previously overlooked information and historical facts, while also correcting many widely accepted narratives. This undertaking represents a significant scholarly challenge, one that His Highness has met through rigorous research and continuous exploration, yielding a wealth of authentic knowledge and historical insight.

Excavation

The History of the Qawasim is the latest work by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, a monumental five-volume historical study that traces the history of the Qawasim over thirteen centuries. This work presents an abundance of new and unprecedented historical information, reflecting the depth of research and archival excavation undertaken by His Highness in producing this significant reference. Readers are offered a meticulously documented historical achievement, chronicling a series of pivotal events that shaped the Qawasim throughout their history.

The book navigates the major turning points and developments in that history, commencing from the first year of the Hijra and extending to 1840 CE. It carefully records the Qawasim’s trajectory, highlighting key political, social, and cultural transformations, and elucidates the circumstances that shaped their presence and influence within the broader historical landscape of the region.

Scenes and Realities

This comprehensive reference is distinguished by its precise documentation of the Qawasim’s history, providing vivid portrayals and detailed accounts of historical events and realities. In the introduction to the book, His Highness writes:

"The history of the Qawasim, through its successive eras and diverse events, reveals much that is unfamiliar and sheds light on what transpired during the British era, including the false accusations directed against them. This compelled me to conduct research and verification through all documents relating to the region in which the Qawasim lived, as well as thousands of books connected to them. This effort took me forty years, tracing the history of the Qawasim from the first year of the Hijra (622 CE) until 1240 AH (1825 CE)."

Through this introduction, readers are reminded of the many works authored by His Highness, all united by the same scholarly commitment: to illuminate truth amid the shadows of misinformation that, over time, came to be mistaken for fact and gave rise to misleading narratives. His Highness’s decades of diligent research culminated in the uncovering of authentic events and realities that define this pivotal chapter of regional history.

The book is further distinguished by its clarity of presentation and engaging narrative style, which render complex historical information accessible to readers. Enriched with maps, references, and source materials, it allows readers to embark on an intellectual journey through its five volumes, moving seamlessly from one stage of Qawasim history to another.

The five volumes are organized as follows:

- Volume I: The Qawasim between Medina and Iraq

- Volume II: The Qawasim between Alliances and Wars

- Volume III: The Qawasim between Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah

- Volume IV: The Qawasim between Peace and Enmity

- Volume V: The Qawasim between Destruction and Surrender

Refutation and Revelation

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah continues his scholarly pursuit of truth and commitment to correcting misleading or inaccurate information through his new book, The Qawasim in Oman. This work forms part of an ongoing academic effort to illuminate the historical presence and role of the Qawasim in the Sultanate of Oman, aiming to rectify numerous misconceptions and distorted narratives that have persisted in historical sources for decades.

The book constitutes a significant contribution to both Arab and Gulf historiography, serving as a reliable reference for researchers and scholars interested in the region’s history. Its scholarly value lies in His Highness’s reliance on original references, authentic documents, and diverse historical sources, ensuring accuracy and credibility in narrating the events that connected the Qawasim with Oman from the eighteenth century to the early twentieth century.

Additionally, the work addresses misinterpretations and conjectures that have circulated regarding the Qawasim’s role in the Gulf, providing evidence-based insights into their relations with regional and international powers, particularly Britain and Portugal.

The contents of The Qawasim in Oman include the following chapters:

- The Qawasim on the Coast of Oman

- The Qawasim on the Persian Coast

- The Omani Qawasim in Jussa, Muscat

- The Omani Qawasim in Samail

In the introduction to the book, His Highness states:

"In 2021, I wrote a book entitled The Decisive Statement on the History and Lineage of the Qawasim (al-Qawl al-Ḥāsim fī nasab wa-tārīkh al-Qawāsim), a work that took forty years of research in its sources. At that time, I could not write about the Omani Qawasim due to the scarcity of sources linking them with the Qawasim of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. After four additional years of research, by the grace of Allah, I found the historical materials that enabled me to document the history and lineage of the Omani Qawasim."

Annals

The book The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Events in Annals from 1497 to 1757 is among the most significant historical works published this year by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. It represents a unique encyclopaedic endeavour, documenting a pivotal period spanning more than two and a half centuries of the history of the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Comprising twenty-one volumes and based on 1,138 rare historical documents collected and translated over thirty-six years of meticulous research in Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Indian archives, the work employs an annalistic method, recording events year by year—including the movements of Portuguese fleets, the battles they engaged in, and the treaties they concluded in efforts to isolate Oman from regional trade.

Beyond narrative description, the book provides rigorous scholarly analysis supported by original documents, revealing the extent of Portuguese ambitions, their maritime strategies, and their impact on trade and local societies. This monumental publication serves as a comprehensive academic reference for researchers, and anyone interested in Gulf history, offering original documents translated into Arabic and English—a testament to His Highness’s exceptional scholarly dedication in documenting the region’s history and uncovering its overlooked truths.

Among the new works of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is “The Perilous Enchantment”, a true and meticulously documented novel. The book explores the events surrounding Muhammad Reda Bek’s mission to France, picking up the narrative where the novel “The Audacious" (Al-Jaree’a), Mary Claude Betty concluded. That earlier mission had ended in failure due to France’s lack of support in countering the activities of the Omanis in the Arabian Gulf.

Exploration

The Search for Truth stands as the overarching theme of the literary and historical project of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. His works constitute intellectual journeys through both near and distant histories, aimed at revisiting events and dispelling the layers of distortion, confusion, and falsehood that have long obscured historical truth. Many narratives—whether in Arab and Islamic history or in world history at large—have been accepted as unquestionable facts, forming fixed historical accounts. Yet, the rigorous research of His Highness has demonstrated that many of these accounts are either inaccurate or entirely mistaken. His studies further seek to challenge and correct stereotypical Western perceptions of the East, the Arab world, and Islam, dismantling them through the power of logic and historical evidence.

In His Highness’s historical works, one finds not only a deep passion for history but also exceptional precision in documentation and research, producing reliable material for future generations. His writings are distinguished by the diversity of sources, keen observation of human detail, and the integration of folklore and oral heritage into historical narrative, creating a unique synthesis of historian and literary craftsman. His approach to historical writing serves multiple purposes: reflecting Arab and Islamic culture and its enduring heritage, rectifying falsified accounts, and recovering what history books have overlooked. At times, His Highness even places historical narratives on trial, confronting claims with counterclaims and reason with reason—supported by manuscripts, documents, and a strict methodological framework.

Major Achievements

Among His Highness’s most remarkable historical accomplishments, which exemplify his scholarly breakthroughs, are:

- The Biography of Ibn Majid (Nazm al-Fawā’id fī Sīrat Ibn Mājid), in which His Highness continues his mission to correct Arab and Islamic history, particularly regarding the legacy of the renowned Arab navigator Ahmad Ibn Majid;

- Under the Banner of Occupation;

- A Journey of Great Importance;

- The Struggle of Powers and Trade in the Gulf, 1620–1820;

- Zenobia: Queen of Palmyra;

- Correspondence of the Sultans of Zanzibar;

- The Al Qasimi and the British Aggression (1797–1820);

- The Truth About the History of Oman;

- Egyptian Memories, among other invaluable works.

Through these contributions, His Highness firmly establishes that history is not written by desire or power, but through truth, evidence, and intellectual integrity.

Jewels of History

Several of the historical works authored by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah have emerged as invaluable contributions to global historiography, attaining the status of true jewels and essential references. These works stand as enduring testaments to his extraordinary expertise in historical research and critical analysis. Many also function as historical interventions, engaging with contested narratives and challenging distortion through meticulously documented evidence.

Among the most notable of these contributions is I Condemn (Inni Adeen), a work of particular significance due to its role as a powerful counter-narrative to the misleading official history produced by Spanish chroniclers. The book examines the plight of the Moriscos—the Muslims of Andalusia—following the fall of Granada on 2 April 1492, during the reign of its last monarch, Abu Abdullah XII (1460–1527), known to the Spanish as El Chico or “Boabdil” and to the people of Granada as Al-Zughabi. His Highness meticulously documents the atrocities perpetrated against Muslims, presenting ten primary historical documents that constitute irrefutable evidence against segments of Spanish society of the period.

The work is distinguished by its methodical structure. Each allegation is presented, explained, and then systematically corroborated or refuted, ensuring clarity and precision. Written in accessible and lucid language, the book reaches a broad readership, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Every claim is substantiated with original documents, images, and historical records in both Spanish and Arabic, firmly anchoring the narrative in verifiable historical fact.

A Foundational Reference

Another of His Highness’s works that has attained global scholarly recognition for its examination of the complex historical relations between the Arab and Western worlds is “The Inquisition: An Investigation of Twenty-Three Files of Cases Committed Against Muslims in Andalusia”

This monumental two-volume study delves into the secret trials conducted by the Spanish Inquisition, which oversaw executions, burnings, and other forms of persecution against Muslims in Andalusia. Rich with rare manuscripts—many of which had long remained hidden—the book offers an unprecedented window into Spain’s dark and clandestine inquisitorial history.

Comprising over twenty-three original trial records, the work exposes the horrors and injustices of an era in which the principles of law and justice were systematically abandoned. His Highness’s research meticulously documents the coercive measures employed by the Catholic Church to force Muslims to renounce their faith, including intimidation, torture, and psychological terror.

Creative Contribution

In addition to being the foremost patron of Arab theatre, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has transformed the Emirate and the UAE into a beacon of theatrical practice within the broader scope of his cultural vision. Yet beyond his institutional and cultural support, His Highness’s most remarkable contribution lies in his creative and intellectual engagement with theatre, earning him the title of the “Father of the Arts.”

Through his playwriting, research, and profound reflections at major theatrical occasions, His Highness has developed a distinct philosophy on the role and purpose of theatre. He regards it as “a school of virtue and ethics, a sacred trust that must be preserved, and a message that demands careful consideration in how it is conveyed, to whom it is addressed, and what meaning it imparts to society.”

His Highness’s plays, celebrated for their eloquence, depth, and moral vision, have been translated and performed internationally, upholding the values of Arab identity and Islamic heritage while engaging thoughtfully with both history and contemporary social realities.

Among his most renowned theatrical works are The Return of Hulagu, The Case, Alya and Issam, Daesh and the Others, and Nimrod, along with more recent plays such as The Al Heera Council and other original texts—each reflecting his enduring belief in theatre as a force for enlightenment, integrity, and cultural renewal.

Narratives

In the realm of narrative writing, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has produced numerous works where historical research and creative storytelling harmoniously intertwine. His narratives, rich in ideas, meaning, and moral insight, often journey through history—engaging with it, questioning it, and drawing lessons to illuminate the present. These works are not mere retellings of the past; they offer reflections on contemporary realities, providing thoughtful commentary and solutions to complex issues while maintaining aesthetic beauty and intellectual depth.

His Highness’s writing style is distinguished by clarity and elegance, a form of “eloquent simplicity” that captivates readers of all backgrounds. His mastery of language reflects both deep erudition and a commitment to making knowledge accessible. Through vivid description, analytical reflection, and the integration of historical references, he transforms history into a living experience, affirming his belief that writing is a responsibility—an act of integrity, vision, and purpose.

Among his notable narrative works are The Audacious, Deep-Seated Malice (2004), The Rebel Prince, The Head of Prince Muqrin, Bibi Fatima and the King’s Sons’ (2018), The White Sheikh, and Philip the Arab, Marcus Julius Phillips. These timeless narratives embody values of virtue, courage, and human dignity, enriching both Arabic literature and historical consciousness.

Memoirs and Biographical Works

Alongside fiction, His Highness has excelled in autobiographical and biographical writing, blending literary artistry with personal and historical reflection. Works such as The “Tale of A City”, recounting the story of Sharjah, and “My Early Life”, which intertwines literature, history, and philosophy, offer profound insights into his life journey. In these texts, His Highness recounts his youth, aspirations, struggles, and experiences before assuming leadership—transforming personal memory into a universal story of perseverance, learning, and vision.

The Essence of Poetry

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has devoted significant attention to poetry and poetic heritage, producing numerous publications that document and celebrate the works of his grandfather, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah (1924–1951). Notable among these are “The Lament of Farewell: The Last Poems of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr bin Khalid Al Qasimi”, “Poetic Exchanges Between Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr and His Friend Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Siddiqi”, and “Al-Tayyib in the Poems of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi”.

Through these works, His Highness revives and illuminates his grandfather’s poetic legacy, characterized by eloquence, grandeur, and an authentic Arab style. This endeavour reflects a broader commitment to preserving the poetic heritage of the UAE, encompassing both classical and Nabati forms, while safeguarding the richness of the Arabic language through meticulous documentation and scholarly commentary.

His Highness’s efforts seamlessly combine literary insight with rigorous scholarship, presenting these works in a manner that is both accessible and engaging for readers, ensuring that the cultural and artistic significance of this heritage continues to inspire future generations.

Dedication to the Arabic Language 

His Highness has devoted significant efforts to the preservation and promotion of the Arabic language, emphasizing its foundational role as the original language of humanity, bestowed upon Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). He has actively worked to correct historical misconceptions in the study of linguistics and languages worldwide.

This commitment culminated in the monumental Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language (Al-Mu’jam Al-Tarikhī Lil-Lugha Al-‘Arabiyya), completed in 127 volumes. The work meticulously traces the history of the Arabic language, its speakers, and its development, serving as an invaluable reference for scholars, learners, and Arabic speakers alike.

Through this and other initiatives, His Highness continues to strengthen, preserve, and promote Arabic on a global scale, ensuring its vitality, authenticity, and enduring cultural significance for generations to come.

Thrill and Manuscripts

Among the notable works published in 2024 by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is the novel The pawned Dagger (Alkhinjar Almarhun), a captivating narrative that journeys through a rich historical past. The book recounts the life of an insightful reader and thinker, presenting scenes filled with suspense, emotion, and moral lessons that reflect sacrifice, diligence, determination, and perseverance. Through keen observation, clear vision, and an ambitious spirit, the narrative traces the growth of an individual who, in turn, shapes the future of a nation.

The novel exemplifies the literary and stylistic mastery that distinguishes His Highness’s storytelling, seamlessly blending historical research with creative inspiration. Published by Qasimi Publications, it emphasizes that The Golden Pawned Dagger “carries a glorious history, recounts a story of struggle, reveals hidden paths to success, and guides the cultivation of an enlightened, knowledgeable, and culturally aware generation.

Through this work, His Highness underscores the value of Arabic literary heritage, the pursuit of knowledge, and the path of scholarly and moral excellence, inspiring readers to embrace this legacy despite the obstacles and sacrifices it entails.”

Manuscripts

His Highness’s writing is distinguished by prolific output and meticulous research, as demonstrated by several significant publications at the close of 2024, including “Selections from the Gurunnameh”. In this work, His Highness examines an ancient Persian manuscript, presenting it with both intellectual rigor and aesthetic sophistication. The book is a masterpiece of design, carefully curating manuscripts, images, and illustrations to enhance the reader’s engagement and understanding.

The content is structured with a preface, introduction, and four main chapters:

1- The occupation of Qeshm by the British and Persians.

2-  The Kurdish military unit in the Persian army.

3-   The siege and fall of Hormuz to the British and Persians.

4- The Persian occupation of the eastern coast of Oman, accompanied by extensive marginal notes and scholarly annotations.

This publication exemplifies His Highness’s dedication to preserving historical manuscripts, blending scholarly precision with artistic presentation to offer a rich, visually engaging, and intellectually rigorous resource for readers and researchers alike.

Source: Al Khaleej- Cultural Edition– Special Issue