On October 4, 2025, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Center for Arabic Studies at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.
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On October 4, 2025, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Center for Arabic Studies at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.
On October 4, 2025, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Center for Arabic Studies at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. This marks the first academic center dedicated to Arabic language and culture at one of Europe’s oldest universities.
The inauguration was attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, and senior Emirati and Portuguese officials. Besides opening the center, His Highness launched the Joanina Digital Library project, including the donation of a rare 1565 Barbosa Manuscript—an invaluable historical document traced back to Portuguese officer Duarte Barbosa’s writings on the Gulf region.
The center will offer advanced Arabic language curricula, including grammar and calligraphy, host literary and academic forums, and foster dialogue between Arab, Portuguese, and European intellectuals. It aims to expand cross-cultural understanding by inviting Arab poets and authors to participate in events.
Sheikh Sultan praised the Barbosa Manuscript for its honest portrayal of Gulf societies’ resilience, culture, and scientific achievements. He emphasized the manuscript’s role in correcting historical narratives and promoting intercultural dialogue.
The Joanina Digital Library, developed in collaboration with Sharjah, is digitising over 30,000 rare books and manuscripts, enabling global access and leading to discovery of new texts.
University of Coimbra President Amílcar Falcão lauded Sheikh Sultan’s contribution, naming the Middle East Digital Collection in his honour as a vital resource for research on Portuguese-Gulf historical ties.
At the ceremony, Sheikh Sultan also signed copies of his latest book, “A Journey of Great Importance,” published in Arabic, English, and Portuguese, further highlighting his dedication to cultural education and scholarship.
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