Sharjah 24, the premier Arabic and English news portal dedicated to Sharjah and the UAE, celebrated its second anniversary in style on Thursday.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, SMC, attended the event, along with Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, senior Sharjah government officials and members of media.

Sharjah 24’s emergence as the Emirate’s window to the world is a source of pride to all of Sharjah and the UAE, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said.

"We are celebrating the second anniversary of Sharjah 24 with the confidence that this is just the beginning of an exciting journey and that the news portal will traverse greater heights and offer greater diversity and coverage in times ahead," he stated.

Sharjah 24 was launched two years ago by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, earlier known as the Sharjah Media Centre, as part of the vision of H.H. Dr.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, following a decree by His Highness the Ruler.

It made its debut with a strong Emirati identity from Sharjah, the capital of culture and intellect, as part of the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Sharjah 24 has stepped forward as the voice of the Emirate and complements Sharjah’s - and UAE’s - media profile and message, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi noted.

"In a fast-changing era of electronic media and digital publishing, "Sharjah 24" has come to occupy a special place and has emerged as an important medium of communication between various regions and continents. The news portal has registered remarkable success in the shortest possible time, despite the fact that it was launched from a scratch with few resources," the SMC Chairman said.

It has visually documented various events and activities in the Emirate and the country, and has emerged as a primary and authentic source for not only government entities and the media in Sharjah, but also at the national level, including WAM, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of SGMB said that the remarkable success and excellence achieved by "Sharjah 24" suggests that the objectives behind the news portal have been achieved, ensuring a global presence and outreach of the Emirate.

Fatma Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief of Sharjah 24, said, "Today, Sharjah 24 is competing with the best of Arabic and English news media in the UAE and the region."