Sharjah Ruler attends Sharjah Libraries Centennial Celebration
Date: - Jan 30, 2025 
Sharjah: His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) centennial celebration, themed ‘100 Years of Stories.’
In his address, Dr Sheikh Sultan expressed his joy at the centennial celebration, reminiscing about events from decades past. He spoke fondly of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, praising him as an exceptional individual — first and foremost as a person, beyond being a ruler. His Highness shared personal anecdotes, recounting Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr’s incredible generosity and kindness, which he had experienced first-hand, especially during the founder’s later years. These heartfelt reflections offered a glimpse into the deep-rooted history and personal connections that have shaped Sharjah’s cultural landscape over the past century.
His Highness painted a vivid picture of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a leader of exceptional character. He recounted an incident where Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr’s clothes were stained by spoiled meat thrown by a disgruntled citizen who had purchased the item from a seller. Instead of anger, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr responded with grace, refunding the man and offering gentle advice before quietly changing his clothes and returning to his duties as if nothing had happened.
The Sharjah Ruler highlighted Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr’s wisdom through another anecdote, where during a tense moment in the library, His Highness’s father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi was about to take drastic action, and with calm authority, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr reminded him, “No, Mohammed, this is not permissible. These are your people, no matter what.” His Highness emphasised that these words and actions left a profound and lasting impact.
Dr Sheikh Sultan also described Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a distinguished intellectual and avid reader whose Nabati poetry was noted for its grammatical precision. His personal library, which His Highness inherited, became the cornerstone of Sharjah’s library system, and after several relocations, it found its permanent home in the Cultural Square. Through endeavours like the Home Library initiative, its influence has spread throughout Sharjah, leading to the establishment of thousands of home libraries across the emirate.
He concluded by acknowledging the library being celebrated as the foundation of Sharjah’s literary heritage. He expressed gratitude to those who preserved it and prayed for its founder and contributors.
The Ruler of Sharjah concluded the centennial celebration with a powerful call to action, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in organising the momentous event, emphasising the collective responsibility of preserving Sharjah’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.
He urged everyone to work together in developing a comprehensive approach to cultural preservation so that libraries continue to serve as beacons of knowledge and enlightenment.
The centennial celebration commenced with the arrival of His Highness at the Heart of Sharjah where The Ruler was greeted with a display of traditional folk performances and a ceremonial equestrian guard. A procession of horse riders also accompanied His Highness, adding to the event’s grandeur.
His Highness was received by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority; Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department; Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority; and
Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Salem Al Qasimi.
Museum of Education
Following this, His Highness inaugurated the Sharjah Museum of Education at the Al Qasimia School, the UAE’s first established school in the early 1940s. The ceremony began with a children’s performance celebrating Arab unity and patriotism and was then followed by a tour.
Year-long-celebrations
The Sharjah Ruler then proceeded to Sharjah Fort, where he unveiled the commemorative plaque for the Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi Library Centennial, marking the beginning of a year-long celebration. His Highness also inaugurated the Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi Library on the ground floor of Sharjah Fort.
During the fort tour, His Highness explored exhibits showcasing Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s personal belongings, official attire, and a collection of his photographs. The exhibits also feature historical artefacts documenting the fort’s role in Sharjah’s history. Additionally, His Highness attended the screening of a 1937 British Imperial Airways documentary chronicling the historic landing of the Hanno aircraft at Sharjah Airport on October 5, 1932.
The SPL centennial celebration is organised in collaboration with Mubadara, Sharjah Heritage Institute, Sharjah Museums Authority, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, Sharjah Private Education Authority, and Sharjah Police General Directorate.
Sharjah Public Libraries
Founded in 1925 by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, then Ruler of Sharjah, SPL — originally known as Al Qasimia Library — was established within Sharjah Fort. In 1951, Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi assumed its management, and the library remained in the fort until 1956 before being relocated to the Al Mudheef building in the fort’s courtyard, which also served administrative functions. Under Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the library continued to evolve before being transferred to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who played a pivotal role in expanding its reach.
