An ancient manuscript, dated August 14, 1624 and personally sealed by Pope Urban VIII in Rome in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is the precious gift that Sharjah’s Emir, his height Sultan Bin Mohammed al Qasimi, wanted to do at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in friendship. A gesture with a symbolic value, which testifies to the gratitude and gratitude of the Emir for the University which, on Wednesday 28 May, welcomed him for the second time, after having hosted him at the end of August 2024 on the occasion of the inauguration of the Arabic Culture Institute. Back from Paris, where at UNESCO he illustrated the digitization of an important archive on Arabic culture, Emir stopped in Milan, in particular at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, To reiterate the link and the “sincere collaboration” between the University and the Emirate of Sharjah.
“The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart hosts with great pleasure occasions such as this because they show – especially to the younger generations – as from a sincere friendship can be built relationships that strengthen scientific cooperation and offer a contribution for the construction of peace”, said the rector Elena Beccalli Receiving Qasimi in a magna classroom full of teachers, students and even some schoolchildren who came to attend the meeting “Arabs and Europe: weaves of history and culture”.
Qasimi is known for the constant commitment in promoting culture, cultivated since the university years spent first, at the Faculty of Agriculture, then, in England during the achievement of the doctorate. He goes to him the merit of having transformed Sharjah not only into a cultural crossroads, but also in the world capital of the Arabic book. Without forgetting the support given to the foundation of Centers and Cultural Institutes in 22 countries or the drafting of numerous volumes. To remember his work as an Ambassador of Arab culture in the world was Professor Wael Farouq, Associate of Arabic language and literature and director of the Arabic Culture Institute. «A passion for humanistic disciplines, that of Emir, which reflects The great faith in the writing he considered the true path that leads to peace “specified Farouq. “The numerous initiatives he has supported and continues to support contribute to freeing the knowledge of Arabic culture from the limits of time and borders, making it available to everyone”. In short, i His are small “seeds” destined to sprout to transform into “solid palm trees”. The event was animated by the performance of the Arabic language choir of the Catholic University directed by Hani Gergiwho performed traditional songs.
(Photo: The Emir of Sharjah His height Sultan Bin Mohammed al Qasimi with Elena Beccalli, rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart)