Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), presented His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah, with the certificate of inscription of the “Sharjah, the Gate to Trucial States” on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List during their meeting on Tuesday, 28 February 2023, at the headquarters of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to HH. Sheikh Dr. Al-Qasimi for his unwavering support to ICESCO and his commendable efforts to protect and safeguard heritage and promote culture through various initiatives and activities, namely the Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) which will kick off on March 1st, 2023, explaining that the “Sharjah, Gate to Trucial States” file, which was inscribed by ICESCO on its Islamic World Heritage List, includes multiple historical buildings that testify to the long history of Sharjah and the region.
The two parties explored ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and Sharjah in areas of common interest, particularly in protecting, safeguarding and sustaining heritage, and discussed means to scale up the activities of the Organization’s regional office in Sharjah.

Upon presenting the Ruler with the inscription certificate, ICESCO DG hailed the creativity of the “Smile, you are in Sharjah” slogan which was cleverly coined by the Emirate four decades ago, using the smile to symbolize positive energy, peace and serenity which all spur progress and growth.

For his part, HH. Sheikh Dr. Al Qasimi lauded ICESCO’s role in protecting and preserving the Islamic world’s heritage, emphasizing that despite the significant urban and technological developments it has witnessed, Sharjah could successfully sustain its cultural and civilizational heritage and preserve its tangible and intangible authenticity reflected by many of its archaeological sites.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. Al Malik presented the Ruler with the ICESCO shield in appreciation of his efforts to support culture and offered him a number of the Organization’s latest publications in its areas of competence.

Dr. Al-Malik presented to His Highness a proposal for His Highness Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi Award for Best Heritage Practices in the Islamic World.

The meeting brought together a host of officials from the Government of Sharjah and the Sharjah Archeology Authority, Dr. Obaid Saif AlHajri, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Sharjah, Mr. Najib Rhiati, Cultural Advisor to ICESCO DG, and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the DG Cabinet at ICESCO.