Lisbon: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, awarded His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Grand Collar of the Order of Camµes, Portugal's highest sovereign cultural honour. H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed is the first Arab figure and the sixth recipient worldwide to receive this prestigious accolade.
According to Emirates News Agency, the honour was bestowed during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon, attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, along with senior officials, cultural figures, and media representatives. The ceremony celebrated H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed's global standing as a prominent figure in culture, thought, and cross-cultural dialogue.
In his keynote address, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa highlighted the deep historical friendship between the UAE and Portugal, noting the shared commitment to advancing cultural dialogue. He emphasised that the Ruler of Sharjah's visit commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, marking the occasion by recognising Sheikh Dr Sultan's contributions to cultural dialogue, founded on intellectual dedication and empathy.
President de Sousa praised the longstanding relationship between H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed and Portugal, particularly with the University of Coimbra. The university awarded H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan an honorary doctorate in 2018 for his scholarly and humanitarian contributions. The ties were further strengthened by the inauguration of the Centre for Arabic Studies and the Joanina Digital Library during his recent visit, reflecting a shared commitment to academic cooperation.
The Ruler of Sharjah expressed his gratitude for the honour, underscoring the role of culture in building bridges between peoples. He acknowledged the rich scientific and cultural history of Portugal and emphasized the significance of cultural dialogue for future generations. H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed reiterated his commitment to cultural cooperation, highlighting Sharjah's dedication to cultural advancement and knowledge sharing.
H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed's acceptance of the Order of Camµes signifies a rare international recognition of Arab contributions to cultural projects. His extensive work, including nearly 200 published works in multiple languages, highlights his dedication to historical accuracy and intellectual discourse. The honour underscores the importance of cultural exchange and mutual understanding between civilisations.
The Grand Collar of the Order of Camµes, named after the Portuguese poet Lus de Camµes, is awarded to individuals who have significantly advanced cultural dialogue through language, literature, and thought. The collar represents international recognition of Sheikh Dr Sultan's contributions over a five-decade-long project aimed at strengthening communication and documenting civilisations.
H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed's initiatives have extended to European academic institutions, including the University of Coimbra, fostering research and promoting the Arabic language in Portugal. These efforts, including the digitisation of rare collections, reflect a vision of knowledge as a shared human legacy and culture as a means of building sustainable bridges between peoples.