Latest news with #SultanbinMohammedAlQasimi
Sharjah 24
7 hours ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah shines light on experience as World Book Capital
The authority's participation in the largest event of its kind in Latin America, which runs until June 22, comes as part of Brazil's celebration of World Book Capitals following the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the World Book Capital for 2025. This prestigious title, which Sharjah held in 2019, recognises the emirate's global standing in supporting culture and the publishing industry. Through its pavilion, SBA shed light on the diversity of the cultural movement in the UAE and the wider Arab world, highlighting major achievements in knowledge, literature and publishing. The authority actively engaged in panel discussions and held meetings with publishers, translators and cultural organisations, to strengthen knowledge exchange and expand opportunities for translating works to and from Arabic. As part of its efforts to build lasting partnerships, SBA invited key players in the publishing industry to take part in the emirate's leading international initiatives, including the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference and other prominent global events held throughout the year. Commitment to cultural dialogue His Highness Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, affirmed that the authority's participation in the Rio International Book Fair reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who places culture at the heart of development strategies and views books as a powerful tool for building bridges of dialogue with the world. Al Ameri said: 'Sharjah's presence in Rio highlights the central role of Emirati and Arab culture on the global knowledge map. Today, we are not only sharing our Emirati identity but also fostering a vibrant dialogue between Latin America, with its rich intellectual and cultural heritage, and the Arab world in all its expressions of thought, literature, art, and creativity. The selection of Rio as World Book Capital for 2025 offers us an opportunity to renew and strengthen our partnerships with the cultural community in Latin America.' He added: 'Under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, we are committed to empowering Emirati and Arab publishers and authors to reach new markets and to developing sustainable support systems that enhance their presence on the global publishing stage.' The Sharjah-led new literary movement As part of the cultural programme at the book fair, SBA organised a panel discussion titled "The heritage of Arab literature and Sharjah-led new literary movement", which explored the evolution of the Emirati literary landscape and the emirate's vital contribution to nurturing writers and advancing cultural initiatives. The session featured renowned Emirati authors whose works have been translated into Portuguese by SBA, including Abdul Hamid Ahmad, author of 'On the edge of the day'; Lulwah Al Mansouri, author of 'We came out of the rib of a mountain'; and Nasser Al Dhaheri, author of 'Wearing salt and his palms are ash'. On the sidelines of the event, SBA organised a special book signing ceremony for the translated titles, underscoring the authority's commitment to deepening cultural exchange and strengthening the international presence of Emirati literature. Showcasing Sharjah's publishing initiatives During its participation, SBA highlighted several of its leading initiatives in publishing and knowledge exchange. These include the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. The authority also introduced the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), an initiative designed to support publishing industries in emerging markets, and the Sharjah Literary Agency, which works to protect the rights of Arab authors and publishers while expanding their international presence. The authority has also drawn attention to the role of Sharjah Public Libraries, one of the region's oldest cultural institutions, which has been promoting knowledge for more than a century. Publishers have been briefed on the specialist international conferences hosted annually in the emirate, including the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference, the Booksellers Conference and the Sharjah Animation Conference. The Sharjah pavilion also hosted the PublisHer initiative, the global platform founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to champion the role of women in publishing and create meaningful opportunities for female publishers to connect, collaborate and exchange knowledge. The pavilion also showcased a curated selection of titles from Al Qasimi Publications, alongside a diverse range of works from the Department of Culture that highlight the depth and richness of Sharjah's cultural landscape. First held in 1983, the Rio International Book Fair has grown into Brazil's largest literary festival. Organised by the National Union of Book Publishers (SNEL) in collaboration with major publishing houses, the fair attracts hundreds of writers and more than 600,000 visitors each year, serving as a key platform for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas.
Sharjah 24
13 hours ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
Dignity: The right that must never be forgotten
This becomes clear when we compare stable societies with refugee communities. In the former, necessities are often taken for granted. Over time, needs evolve—towards freedom of expression, creativity, personal growth, and fulfillment. In refugee communities, however, needs multiply in proportion to loss. Refugees long for a home, memories, school, protection, and the dream of a future, a need that only genuine human solidarity can fulfill, restoring a sense of reassurance to the spirit. This reality reminds us of a core principle in humanitarian work: the distinction between meeting basic needs and rebuilding the human spirit. Dignity, respect, and self-determination can take precedence over food or shelter. The need is not just to survive, but to feel alive. Without dignity, even food and medicine lose meaning. Aid must preserve self-respect and empower people as active participants in rebuilding their solidarity is not measured solely by what we provide, but by what we help keep alive within the individual. What keeps someone truly alive is not just bread and water, but passion, decision-making, expression, and the ability to dream. That's why at The Big Heart Foundation, we affirm that refugees are not a 'special case.' Our mission goes beyond physical needs—we must support to keep their spirit alive and their future is theirs to shape. We must move past viewing refugees solely as victims. Their needs extend beyond survival to all that gives life meaning. When dignity is restored, aid becomes partnership. Shelter becomes a home. The refugee becomes the architect of their future. Guided by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and supported by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi,Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation, we put dignity at the heart of our work. We ask ourselves: Have we listened? Have we preserved dignity? Have we made space for individuals to lead? On World Refugee Day, our message is clear: let us redefine solidarity. Let us make dignity a measure of success. Because without dignity, a person cannot rise—and if we strip it from others, we lose our own humanity.
Sharjah 24
13 hours ago
- Science
- Sharjah 24
ICESCO stresses utilizing vacation to boost future gen knowledge
He pointed out that summer should not be seen as a time for idleness but rather as a valuable opportunity for learning and personal growth. By participating in quality programs, students can expand their understanding of the world and develop their abilities. In today's fast-changing world, it's crucial to prepare young generations to understand and work with new technologies, especially in fields like artificial intelligence. Professor Salem emphasized that the ICESCO office is collaborating with various educational and cultural organizations to promote summer programs that cater to different age groups. These programs focus on important skills for the future, entrepreneurship, taking care of the environment, and conducting scientific research. He believes that fostering human development is key to achieving overall progress. He also mentioned the importance of instilling a sense of identity, cultural pride, and appreciation for language in young people. Summer programs should blend traditional values with modern interests to keep them engaging and relevant. Furthermore, he praised Sharjah for its commitment, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, to fostering a culture of knowledge and providing opportunities for children and youth. The emirate offers many educational and training programs during the summer to help young people discover their potential. In closing, Professor Salem reiterated that the ICESCO office is dedicated to working with educational and cultural institutions to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address sustainable development issues and create a better future for both Islamic communities and the world.
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Falconers Club launches ‘Best Magyed'
Evaluation criteria and field visits The competition recognises falconers who prepare and manage their Magyeds with professionalism and care. The evaluation committee will begin site visits on 15 August 2025 to eligible Magyeds across the Emirate of Sharjah. Each Magyed must house at least four falcons. Visits will be conducted in the evening, and the committee will document and share images through the club's official channels. All decisions are final. Judging will be based on strict technical and environmental criteria: the Magyed's location relative to external influences, cleanliness and general upkeep, falcon-to-space ratio, number and placement of perches, number of caretakers, and the integrity of walls and facilities. The presence of cooling systems and backup power measures will also be considered, as well as the positioning of sunlight to ensure its benefit without harming the falcons. Sustainability as a key focus The competition favours sustainable practices. Evaluation will include the use of alternative energy (meeting minimum thresholds), conservation of water and electricity, safe waste management, and adherence to health and safety standards. Dedicated food preparation areas and the Magyed's adaptability for year-round use will earn additional points. Prizes and cultural preservation Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three Magyeds: AED 20,000 for first place, AED 15,000 for second, and AED 10,000 for third. These rewards aim to inspire participants to deliver exceptional standards in falcon care. Mohammed Khalifa Al Badwawi, Chairman of the Sharjah Falconers Club, expressed pride in continuing this unique competition. He stressed its role in preserving falconry heritage and supporting knowledge exchange, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Al Badwawi encouraged qualified falconers in Sharjah to take part, emphasising that the competition is a platform for excellence, tradition, and sustainable development within the falconry community.
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SEC hosts forum to enhance customer experience
Guided by leadership's vision The forum reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Executive Council. The leadership aims to place people at the centre of governance and ensure the delivery of integrated, high-quality services. Strong participation and unified vision Over 400 employees from government entities took part, particularly those involved in customer experience development. The forum celebrated the spirit of "One Team", a core value of the Sharjah Customer Experience Improvement Programme, which focuses on four key pillars: Strategic direction, design, development, and delivery. These pillars are supported by regulatory guidelines and unified standards to improve service quality across the government. Leadership remarks and vision Hanadi Ali Al Muhairi, Director of the Government Development Department, opened the forum by highlighting its role in the broader journey of government transformation in Sharjah. She emphasised the importance of aligning services with the community's needs and praised the strategic direction set by the Ruler and Crown Prince of Sharjah. Al Muhairi also stressed the importance of investing in human capital, empowering specialized teams to lead institutional innovation and continuous service improvement through creative thinking and collaboration. Key highlights from the Forum Strategic presentation: From vision to implementation Brigadier General Dr Tariq Jassim Al Midfa delivered a detailed presentation on the strategic direction of the Sharjah Customer Experience Improvement Program. He also reviewed current government development initiatives and introduced an interactive video titled 'The Footprint of Development Leaders in Service Design.' Panel discussion: Collaborative development A panel titled 'How to Participate in the Development Process Together' was moderated by Eng. Majid Al Mazloum and featured Lt. Col. Ahmed Al Matrooshi, Sharjah Police; Jawaher Al Dabbah, Sharjah City Municipality; Eng. Ali Al Muhairi, Planning and Survey Department; and Omar Al Sari, Department of Economic Development. The panel explored shared experiences, service development challenges, and field practices. Key themes included team integration, data-driven decision-making, and customer-centric innovation to elevate service quality and meet public expectations.
