Sharjah Ruler His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi received scholars and archiving experts from India and Portugal during SIBF 2026, highlighting international cooperation in preserving historical manuscripts, rare documents and cultural heritage.
SHARJAH: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, received a delegation of scholars and experts in historical documentation from India and Portugal on November 5, 2026, reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening international academic cooperation.
The meeting took place at the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, as part of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair.
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Indian and Portuguese experts discuss historical preservation
The delegation included Dr Balaji Shinoy, Director of the Archives Department of the Government of Goa, India, and Dr LuÃs Filipe Santos, Director-General for Books, Archives and Libraries at the Portuguese National Archives.
Representatives from Portugal’s University of Coimbra included Dr Albano Figueiredo, Dr José Pedro de Matos Paiva and archaeology specialist Dr Rui Carina.
Welcoming the delegation, the Sharjah Ruler highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation with international universities and research institutions.
His Highness emphasised that the Sharjah International Book Fair provides a global platform for intellectual dialogue while strengthening the emirate’s longstanding commitment to books, knowledge and publishing.
Rare manuscripts and historical documents take centre stage
Discussions focused on preserving historical manuscripts, verifying rare documents and ensuring accurate records remain available to future generations.
His Highness outlined how cooperation with international documentation institutions has contributed to significant research projects and publications that enrich Arab and global libraries.
During a guided tour, the delegation explored rare historical artefacts, manuscripts, photographs, geographical maps and reference collections housed at the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre.
The Sharjah Ruler also demonstrated the detailed process of verifying historical Portuguese documents, including translation from Old Portuguese into modern Portuguese and English, followed by Arabic verification and annotation.
Among the notable works discussed was the complete manuscript of Portuguese officer Duarte Barbosa, acquired by His Highness in 2012 and published in three languages in 2017.
Sharjah strengthens academic ties with Portugal
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr Albano Figueiredo praised Sharjah’s continued cooperation with the University of Coimbra.
He highlighted the university’s Centre for Arabic Studies, established with the support of His Highness, and its initiatives promoting Arabic language education and cultural exchange in Portugal.
The delegation also presented historical publications and reference works from the university.
Impact to expect
The meeting is expected to strengthen academic cooperation between Sharjah, India and Portugal, supporting manuscript preservation, historical research and knowledge exchange. It could also create further opportunities for researchers to access authenticated documents while reinforcing Sharjah’s position as an international centre for cultural heritage and scholarship.
