Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi

Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi became the Ruler of Sharjah on January 25, 1972, after the assassination of his cousin, Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. He is the current ruler and has served as a member of the UAE Supreme Council.

Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, a noted historian, authored several books on Gulf history, including 'The Myth of Arab Piracy in the Gulf' (1986) and 'The Gulf in Historic Maps' (1996). His works challenged Western narratives and promoted regional historiography.

Sultan bin Muhammad launched the Sharjah Biennial in 1993, an international art exhibition that became a major event in the Middle East. He also established the Sharjah Art Foundation and numerous museums, promoting Sharjah as a cultural capital.

Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi founded the University of Sharjah in 1997, a major institution for higher education in the UAE. The university offers a wide range of programs and has become a center for academic and cultural exchange.