SheikhSultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi (Arabic: سلطان بن محمد القاسمي, romanized: Sulṭān bin Muḥammad al-Qāsimī; born 2 July 1939) is an Emirati politician, author, historian, and the current and 11th ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and a member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates since January 1972.[1] He is best known for his historical publications, support for education, and preservation of cultural landmarks. He restored the Al Hisn Fort in Sharjah in 1970 and served as the United Arab Emirates first Minister of Education in 1971.[2] As an academic, he has authored multiple historical documents as well as memoirs, studies, novels, poetry and plays regarding the Middle East and North Africa.[3]
Early life and education
Sultan's mother was Maryam bint Sheikh Ghanem Al Shamsi (1915–2010). He has four brothers and two sisters: Khalid, Sheikh Saqr, Abdul Aziz, Abdullah, Sheikha and Naema.[4]
In 1948, at the age of nine years, he enrolled in Eslah As Qasimia School. After completing his elementary and secondary education between Sharjah, Kuwait City and Dubai, Al-Qasimi went on to study a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering at Cairo University, graduating in 1971. He completed a PhD in history at the University of Exeter in 1985, and another in the political geography of the Gulf at Durham University in 1999.[5]
Career
Minister of Education
In December 1971, Sultan was appointed the first Minister of Education for the Emirates.[6]
In May 2018, Al Qasimi established the "Irada" drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centre in Sharjah.[9][10][11]
Sultan celebrated the 50th anniversary as the Ruler of Sharjah on 25 January 2022.[12]
Writing career
Al Qasimi has authored at least 82 books by 2023 which include historical, literary, and theatrical books.[13][14]
In 2020, a historical film titled Khorfakkan based on the book Khorfakkan’s Resistance Against the Portuguese Invasion of September 1507 written by Al Qasimi was released. The movie tells the story of the resistance of Khorfakkan city against the Portuguese invasion in the 16th century.[15]
Al Qasimi has been awarded multiple honorary degrees from various institutions for his work in promoting education in social studies, law, science, and arts.[23]
Al Qasimi has had at least two wives. With his first wife, Al Qasimi had two children:
Azza bint Sultan al Qasimi
Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi (1974–1999). He was the crown prince. He died after a heroin overdose at the Emir's residence in Wych Cross Place, near Forest Row, East Grinstead, UK, on 3 April 1999 at the age of 24 years.[24][25][26]
With his second wife, Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, he had four children:[27]
Khalid bin Sultan (1980–2019). He was the owner of British clothing chain Qasimi. He died in London aged 39. His death was, according to the coroner, 'drug related' as 'toxicology tests revealed Khalid had high levels of GHB and "recreational" amounts of cocaine in his system'.[28][29][30]
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