UNESCO Recognizes Sharjah Ruler for Completion of Arabic Historical Dictionary

UNESCO Recognizes Sharjah Ruler for Arabic Historical Dictionary

On May 22, 2025, an esteemed honor was bestowed upon His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, by UNESCO. The ceremony took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, celebrating the successful completion of the Arabic Historical Dictionary. This significant achievement highlights the importance of the Arabic language as a bridge connecting heritage and knowledge.

The event was graced by various dignitaries, including Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of the Ruler and President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Book Authority. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit of the event aimed at promoting cultural understanding.

As His Highness arrived at the venue, he was met with a warm welcome from Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO's Director-General, and other esteemed guests including the UAE ambassador to France and the Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture.

During his address, Sheikh Dr. Al Qasimi expressed gratitude for the forum, stating, "It is an honor for me to be among you today at this esteemed cultural forum of UNESCO. Together, we commemorate a landmark academic and cultural milestone with the completion of the Arabic Historical Dictionary. This event is enriched further by coinciding with the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a day that UNESCO has dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and respect among cultures, strengthening our collective humanity."

He emphasized that language is undoubtedly the primary repository of culture and the most authentic reflection of a community's identity. "By celebrating the Arabic Historical Dictionary today, we honor a vital aspect of our rich human diversity, represented by the Arabic language, which has a deep civilizational legacy and has had a significant scientific and humanistic impact."

Highlighting the contributions of collaborating institutions in creating the dictionary, the Ruler noted, "All languages have the right to exist and evolve. By restoring the Arabic language to its rightful history and highlighting its developments, we affirm to the world that every language deserves existence, advancement, and celebration. Cultural justice insists that humanity should not be reduced to a single language nor confined to one civilization model. Just as biodiversity ensures life continuity, cultural and linguistic diversity ensures the continual evolution and revitalization of human creativity."

He concluded his speech with a heartfelt thank you to UNESCO for recognizing the Arabic Historical Dictionary and for fostering cultural collaboration between Sharjah and the organization. He called for unity, urging, "Let us move forward together to strengthen our cultural dialogue, protect our common human heritage, and ensure that every culture's voice is recognized and appreciated, allowing every language and every people to maintain their true identity."

Audrey Azoulay reciprocated the sentiments by warmly welcoming Sheikh Dr. Al Qasimi’s delegation, recognizing Sharjah as a global hub of knowledge and culture. She highlighted the emirate's considerable investments that align with UNESCO’s mission and praised the Ruler's visionary leadership that places culture and knowledge at the center of Sharjah's policies.

Moreover, she emphasized Sharjah's initiative to digitize UNESCO's archives, which is a crucial step in preserving centuries-old documents and books, ensuring the safeguarding of invaluable historical records detailing diverse events and agreements.

Azoulay also acknowledged the significant achievement in completing the Arabic Historical Dictionary, developed by numerous researchers and editors from 20 linguistic institutions across the Arab world. This monumental dictionary is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most comprehensive historical dictionary.

To conclude the ceremony, Sheikh Dr. Al Qasimi graciously signed a copy of the Arabic Historical Dictionary, presenting it as a gift to UNESCO, symbolizing the enduring collaboration between Sharjah and the global cultural community.

This event not only marks a significant milestone for Sharjah but also underscores the vital role of the Arabic language in the global discourse on culture and knowledge.