Education to shape new generation
frankfurt — The current crises being experienced in parts of the Arab World will not prevent Arabs from undertaking reforms to prepare an educated, enlightened and open-minded generation, said His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Book Fair. “These generations will contribute to the rise of Arab culture and civilisation,” he said.
“Solutions are available, but we should work on them from now. These solutions include focusing on the younger generations and nurturing their minds with a sound, enlightened and open way of thinking, and expanding their knowledge. We need to facilitate the journey of our younger generations to enlightenment and help secure a prosperous future,” Dr Shaikh Sultan said.
New projects in Sharjah
Dr Shaikh Sultan revealed that the emirate is working on the construction of a new exhibition centre to expand the space for the Sharjah International Book Fair, so as to be a venue for the book fair and other cultural, literary and art events. A budget has already been allocated to set up a new exhibition centre, he said.
The expansion is also meant to be in line with the continuous growth of the Sharjah International Book Fair in terms of the number of participants, visitors, events and sales.
Dr Shaikh Sultan said he has been working on a book dealing with the history of nations and ethnicities that will contribute to the civilisation in the Arabian Gulf countries. He has been working on the book for 15 years, but it is still in its first chapters, he added.
“Sharjah’s efforts do not stop at the emirate but go beyond that to reach all Arab and Islamic countries. Since the beginning, I believed that —Wam if I want to lead efforts that help my country progress, I also have to contribute to the development of all Arab countries,” he said. “Since I started working on my cultural project, I started looking beyond Sharjah. I was confident that the seeds of the Sharjah International Book Fair sowed in 1982 would yield fruits, sooner or later.”
Family’s role
Dr Shaikh Sultan highlighted his family’s support for the Arab cultural projects. Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Patron of the Emirates Publishers Association, for example, is a strong supporter of the Arab publishing and book industry, he said.
Shaikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi,
(We should) focus on the younger generations and nurture their minds with a sound, enlightened and open way of thinking. We need to facilitate the journey of our younger generations to enlightenment and help secure a prosperous future.” Dr Shaikh Sultan
Chairperson of the Sharjah Art Foundation, on her part, is moving forward to serve the Arab art project by visiting Arab countries, which is illustrated by her role in supporting the fine art movement in Egypt. And Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of Dr Shaikh Sultan, Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, is supporting humanitarian, social and health issues.
Shaikh Sultan emphasised that he and his family are driven by their sense of responsibility that they shoulder responsibilty from a family perspective, hoping these efforts would yield positive results that contribute to the good for the UAE and the greater Arab nation.
“We cannot overlook women’s role in the upbringing and development of new generations and their ability to create a balance between her family at home and work. In the UAE, women have always been supportive partners and contributors to the country’s progress and growth,” Dr Shaikh Sultan said. “It would not have been possible to reach what we are today without women’s presence alongside men in all details. Today, women constitute 45.3 per cent of the UAE population, which means half the society in figures.”
“Sharjah has offered many solutions in this regard, he said. It has set up nurseries in various government departments, and is currently working on establishing a project featuring 66 nurseries that will be fully equipped and supervised by specialists in child-rearing,” he added.
Spectacular development
Over the past 45 years, Shaikh Sultan said “the march of growth and development undertaken by the UAE is no longer measured in years, but in days, while the development of other peoples is measured by years.”
“The Union is solid because its foundations are very strong, supported with strong and thoughtful legislation that meet our aspirations. UAE legislation and laws are flexible and decentralised so as not to hamper decision making and impede the desired development,” he added.
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com