Sharjah Ruler Calls for Region’s Leaders to Promote Humanitarian Values

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has called on leaders and decision makers in the region to make the interests of nations and citizens their top priority. His Highness said humanity must come before politics when it comes to any decision or agreement and referred to Islam as the source of love, tolerance, coexistence and human rights, irrespective of race, creed and gender.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi made the statements during a meeting with Dr. Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Sultan of the State of Perak, as part of his visit to Malaysia. His Highness’ trip to the country comes within the framework of the friendly relations between the UAE and Malaysia, which have grown steadily stronger in recent decades.

Taking place at the Palace of Perak (Istana Iskandariah), the meeting between Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and Dr. Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah saw the two leaders discussing the current situation and developments in Muslim countries, in particular those that are suffering from turmoil caused by political crises and wars. The talk touched on the conditions of refugees around the world and their urgent issues that need to be viewed within a humanitarian perspective, with political considerations left aside. They called for urgent international action to protect refugees and alleviate their homelessness and hunger.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Sultan of Perak discussed avenues of cooperation between the two friendly countries, which have leading regional development experience and shared visions on major aspects of life. The talks reiterated how the UAE and Malaysia are actively involved in promoting dialogue among countries on the global stage.

Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is the Royal Patron for Malaysia’s Islamic Finance Initiative, highlighted the scheme, which aims to promote Malaysia as a major Islamic finance hub. Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah pointed out that his country’s growing role in the world is the fruits of its economic vision based on the principles of good governance, transparency, justice, faith and risk-sharing responsibility.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi lauded the Malaysian role in promoting Islamic economic values within Malaysia and beyond, which His Highness said contributed to theincreased demand for Islamic finance from all countries due to its ethical principles. Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi underlined the role played by Islamic economy in meeting the needs of community members and achieving financial and economic stability for the prosperity of all countries around the world.

Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who also serves as Malaysia's Special Envoy for Interfaith and Inter-Civilisational Dialogue, praised Sharjah's leading experience in promoting interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue. He referred to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi's role in supporting the values of tolerance and inter-communication between people of different nationalities who live peacefully and safely in the emirate. He highlighted the great role His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah plays in conveying the honorable image of Islam and Muslims, also citing the Emirati and Malaysian development experiences as outstanding examples of the progress seen in Islamic countries across the world.

The talk between the two leaders also focused on dialogue between cultures and the need to encourage and promote intercultural communication and understanding. At the close of the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi presented the English copy of his book ‘Under the Flag of Occupation’ to Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi was accompanied by Abdullah Mattar Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia; Badr Jafar, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Enterprises and founder of Pearl Initiative; Erum Mazhar, Advisor at the Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi and Mariam al Hammadi, Director of ‘Salam Ya Seghar,’ an initiative of the Big Heart Foundation.

Following the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi headed to the University of Malaya, located in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur, for a special visit. The excursion followed an

invitation from His Royal Highness Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Malaya.

The University of Malaya is the oldest and most esteemed university in Malaysia. First established in 1905, its name was abbreviated as Malaya during the pre-independence period before the adoption of the official name of Malaysia, which came into existence when the country unified in 1963. The facility reopened in its modern form in 1962 and since then has grown rapidly. There are now more than 27,000 students from 80 countries studying at the university.

Upon their arrival at the university campus, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and of His Royal Highness Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah were received by Dr. Mohammed Amin bin Jalaluddin, ViceChancellor of the university, and a number of Heads of colleges and faculty members, who welcomed Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi and his accompanying delegation.

Dr Jalaluddin gave a brief presentation on the university, which has 1,700 academic staff, 17 faculties and research centres, and encompasses the spectrum of learning in the Arts, Sciences and Humanities. The university has over 100,000 alumni, among them renowned personalities and leaders in various fields.

Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi toured the university's campus facilities, where he was briefed about its notable achievements, especially in the science and technology arenas. He was informed about how the educational facility is considered one of the most advanced academic institutions in the research of contagious diseases, biodiversity and intellectual property. As acomprehensive, research-intensive university, the University of Malaya confers degrees across a variety of academic programmes at Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi commended the cultural diversity in the university, which opens its doors to students and researchers from all over the world. He stressed that educated generations do not only contribute to their own communities, but also to the wider world by providing stability, the maintenance of social fabric and acceptance and respect for each other. His Highness stressed that Sharjah’s universities and research centres are open to Malaysian specialists to transfer their academic and practical experience to students and researchers in Sharjah and the UAE in general.