Sharjah Establishes International Award Honouring Excellence in Sciences, Literature and the Arts

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has created a prestigious new award to recognise outstanding contributions across intellectual and creative disciplines, cementing the emirate's commitment to knowledge and cultural preservation.

The establishment of a major new international award reflects Sharjah’s enduring conviction that excellence in sciences, literature and the arts represents the deepest expression of human progress and cultural memory. His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree creating the Harun Al-Rashid International Award for Sciences, Literature, Arts and Notable Figures, a periodic honour designed to celebrate transformative achievements across these vital domains.

The award will operate with independent legal standing and financial autonomy, governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by the Ruler himself. Its scope encompasses four principal fields: sciences, where pioneering discoveries and innovative research that advance human knowledge are recognised; literature, celebrating literary creativity, scholarly editing and linguistic studies that enrich Arab and global culture; arts, honouring visual, auditory and performing creativity that combines innovation with aesthetic refinement and humanitarian purpose; and studies of notable figures, encompassing biographical research and historical scholarship that illuminate the contributions of significant individuals across Arab and non-Arab civilisations.

The decree articulates eight core objectives that reveal the award’s philosophical foundations. Beyond the immediate aim of honouring outstanding achievement, it seeks to foster a culture of innovation and intellectual excellence, to strengthen scientific research’s role in serving human society, and to stimulate rigorous artistic and literary creativity. Crucially, it commits to preserving cultural and scientific memory by documenting and celebrating notable figures throughout history, whilst building bridges between civilisations through works highlighting intellectual and creative exchange. The award thus positions itself as an instrument for highlighting inspiring role models and nurturing emerging talent, reinforcing knowledge as the bedrock of human progress.

The governance structure ensures rigorous oversight and professional management. The Board of Trustees, whose members serve four-year renewable terms, holds comprehensive authority over award policy, strategic planning, evaluation criteria, participant eligibility, judging procedures and financial prizes. As we reported in our coverage of the Ruler’s recent convening of the Emirates Writers Union leadership, Sharjah has consistently prioritised the cultivation of literary excellence and creative voices. This new award extends that commitment into a structured, internationally oriented framework. The Secretary-General, appointed by the Ruler, manages the award’s day-to-day operations under board supervision, whilst the decree establishes provisions governing impartiality, conflict of interest and financial transparency.

Named after Harun Al-Rashid, the legendary Abbasid caliph celebrated for his patronage of scholarship and the arts, the award draws historical inspiration from a tradition of enlightened support for intellectual endeavour. By attaching his name to this initiative, Sharjah signals its place within a continuum of cultural stewardship spanning centuries.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This award reinforces the broader vision shared across the UAE for knowledge and cultural advancement as engines of national development and human flourishing. Sharjah’s creation of an internationally recognised award honouring sciences, literature and the arts amplifies the Emirates’ collective commitment to intellectual excellence and creative achievement, positioning the region as a destination for scholarship and artistic endeavour of the highest calibre.

For Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, the establishment of such a prestigious honour demonstrates the emirates’ determination to nurture talent, preserve cultural memory and foster civilisational dialogue through knowledge. The award’s emphasis on scholarly research into notable figures, both Arab and non-Arab, reflects the UAE’s outward-looking intellectual orientation and its role as a crossroads where ideas and cultures flourish.