The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, awarded His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Grand Collar of the Order of Camões, the highest sovereign cultural honor in the Portuguese Republic. His Highness is the first Arab personality to receive the Order of Camões and the sixth in the world. This came during a ceremony held by the Portuguese President for His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah yesterday at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon, in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, and a gathering of officials, intellectuals, and media professionals, where His Highness was honored in recognition of his global stature as one of the most prominent symbols of culture, thought, and civilizational dialogue. The President of Portugal delivered a speech during the ceremony, in which he stated that the visit of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is a testament to the historical bonds of friendship and brotherhood that unite the two countries and peoples. He highlighted the personal commitment shared with His Highness to enhancing cultural dialogue and building trust and understanding between cultures, reaffirming his conviction that future generations will recognize cultural diversity as a common public good that constitutes a fundamental driver of social inclusion. In his speech, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his happiness with this honor, touching upon the significance of the award and the role of culture in building bridges between peoples. He said, "I am delighted to receive this honor from Your Excellency, and I deeply appreciate it for the sincere significance it carries of a country with a rich scientific and cultural history, and of a people known for its openness and appreciation for knowledge." His Highness added, "Every time I stand in Portugal, I feel as though I am facing a complete history—the history of the relations between this country and our countries in the Arabian Gulf specifically, and through this celebration, I see how history can correct its course towards cooperation and construction. And when I look at this history now, I see a past that culture has done justice to, I see a present built by culture, and I see a future that culture promises will be worthy of our children. Therefore, I am proud that this honor is associated with Arab culture, with the cultural vision of the United Arab Emirates, and with the cultural path that Sharjah has taken, a path built on the firm conviction that culture is a necessity and its absence comes at a great cost." His Highness thanked the Portuguese Republic for its cooperation with world cultures and its belief in the dialogue between civilizations, saying, "Thank you for extending your hand to the cultures and knowledge of the world, and for believing that the dialogue between civilizations is not a luxury but a human necessity, and that culture is not an inheritance we preserve but a bridge we build with others. Our joint cultural and intellectual journey with you, God willing, continues, and we are keen to support and develop it for the benefit of both sides and to open wider horizons for learning and partnership for future generations." His Highness also offered his condolences and deep solidarity to the Portuguese Republic for the incident caused by the recent storm that claimed the lives of some Portuguese citizens. The awarding of the Order of Camões to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is recognition of his high-level contributions in the cultural field and an appreciation for his efforts and continuous role over several decades in supporting and implementing various cultural initiatives and programs at regional and international levels, which enhance cultural and civilizational exchange and open avenues for cultural and human interaction.
