Department of Culture and Information

GENERAL INFROMATION

"People who are in charge of processes of education and guidance, social and cultural upbringing must firmly establish the educational values without neglecting the main worthy principles which form the Arabic Islamic character. By virtue of those principles and beliefs we were and still would the best nation"….says

Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

In the past Sharjah was known to be one of the most prominent cultural center in the Gulf. It was the venue of many erudite and well-mannered scholars and knowledge seekers. In Sharjah the first known school was opened in the beginning of the current century. The school was established by the late Ibrahim Al Midfa. Moreover the Sharjah Emirate witnessed the establishment of the first Islamic forum which took the form of an intellectual saloon where a number of the erudites, poets and local penmen used to assemble there to hold talks and discussions.

Sharjah witnessed these gatherings and also meetings of many other cultural clubs and forums forming what could be described as the main pillars and brackets for a scientific and cultural rebirth. It is to be noted that a library was also opened in 1934 at the hands of the late Ibrahim Al Midfa. Sharjah Emirate went on playing this remarkable and leading role under the guidance of H.H.Sheikh Dr.Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

A decree was issued on 30th April 1981 to establish the Department of Culture and Information, a perfect step taken to enhance the already exerted cultural efforts, the thing that reveals The Ruler's keen concern and attention of strengthening the cultural foundations and spreading the message to everyone. The Department of Culture & Information devotes itself in realizing his vision which is very clear in his message 'What we have achieved in the field of material construction is quite sufficient….now we must turn to the building of human'.

The Amiri decree designated the role and objectives of the Department (previously known as the Department of Culture & Tourism) in view and the frame work of the deep concern of culture, arts and national heritage restoration and conservation.

During the last few years the Department of Culture & Information had completed its administrative structure to suit the elaborated works spreading all over the Emirate of Sharjah. The Department had successfully organized many cultural activities and festivals consistently to achieve its goals and these efforts attracted high appreciation from around the world and for these good works the UNESCO honored Sharjah by electing Sharjah as "The Cultural Capital of the Arab World", in 1998.