Sharjah Ruler receives Portugal’s highest cultural honour

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has been awarded Portugal's highest cultural honour, the Grand Collar of the Order of Camões.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa presented the award during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon.

Sheikh Sultan is the first Arab recipient of the Order of Camões and the sixth honouree worldwide.

"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Portugal this year, I can think of no better way to mark this occasion than by honouring your enlightened, distinguished and open personality, and by recognising your valuable contribution to dialogue between cultures, founded on deep intellectual dedication, mutual respect and shared empathy," de Sousa said in his keynote address.

He praised the long-standing relationship between Sheikh Sultan and Portugal, including its cultural institutions and intellectual circles, noting that this relationship is held in deep esteem and admiration.

The Portuguese President also highlighted Sheikh Sultan's close ties with the University of Coimbra, which awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2018 in recognition of his literary, cultural and humanitarian contributions, as well as his research on the Portuguese presence in Asia and the Middle East.

De Sousa added that this relationship was further strengthened during Sheikh Sultan's most recent visit, which saw the inauguration of the Centre for Arabic Studies and the Joanina Digital Library - initiatives that reflect a shared commitment to knowledge, cultural exchange and academic cooperation.

He also noted that in February, Portugal will be the Guest of Honour at the Sharjah Heritage Days, represented by a delegation led by the Portuguese Minister of Culture.

In his address, the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his happiness at the honour, highlighting its significance and the role of culture in building bridges between people.

"Each time I visit Portugal, I feel as though I am standing before a living history, the history of relations between this country and the nations of the Arab Gulf in particular. Through Your Excellency and this warm and generous reception, I see how history can be guided toward a new course of cooperation and constructive partnership," he said.

The Grand Collar of the Order of Camões is awarded by the President of Portugal by sovereign decree and bears the name of the Portuguese poet Luís de Camões, a central figure in Portugal’s cultural identity.

It honours exceptional individuals who have left a lasting mark on culture and advanced dialogue between people through language, literature and thought.

In its highest grade, the order is conferred as a collar worn around the neck, underscoring the rarity of the honour and the eminence of its status.

It is reserved for a limited number of leaders and thinkers whose influence has transcended national boundaries and reached the wider international community.

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H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed is a thinker, writer, historian and literary figure who has published nearly 200 works, many of which have been translated into more than 20 languages.

His publications span the historical, literary, cultural and theatrical fields and include significant scholarly research and corrections of historical inaccuracies, achieved through thorough research and access to manuscripts and other valuable documents, enabling him to refute misconceptions and place historical truth in its correct, evidence-based context.

The prestigious honour reflects the global stature attained by the cultural project led by H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed over decades, one founded on a vision that places people at the centre of culture, language as a means of deep communication, and history as a field for understanding.

Through this project, H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed advanced a contemporary cultural model that positions knowledge as a lasting bridge for cross-cultural dialogue, conscious openness to the world as an ethical and cultural responsibility, and culture as a shared language beyond the logic of conflict and domination.

استلام القلادة الكبرى لوسام كامويش أعلى وسام شرف ثقافي سيادي في البرتغال من الرئيس البرتغالي
Receiving the Grand Collar of the Order of Camões, Portugal’s highest sovereign cultural order, from the President of Portugal. pic.twitter.com/AehZl258ho

— HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan (@HHShkDrSultan) January 30, 2026