Blessed Opening of Portugal’s First Arabic Studies Centre by Sharjah’s Leader

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the esteemed Ruler of Sharjah, has opened the first centre dedicated to Arabic studies at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. This centre, part of the university’s faculty of arts and humanities and guided by the Sharjah Book Authority, will start offering courses this month focusing on Arabic language, grammar, and calligraphy. In addition to classes, the centre will host conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and performances celebrating Arab culture. Sheikh Dr Sultan expressed at the inauguration that this initiative aims to strengthen bonds between peoples through shared language and culture, highlighting how true knowledge can build bridges and foster understanding. Translation work will also be a major focus, helping to make Arabic and European literary works more accessible to each other. The centre will be led by Professor Abdeljelil Larbi, a Tunisian expert in Arabic language and comparative literature. This event continues the strong partnership between Sharjah and the university, following projects like the Digital Joanina initiative, which preserves historic collections from the Joanina Library, a UNESCO World Heritage site. University leaders emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing this cultural treasure for future generations. The reopening of Arabic language teaching in Coimbra reflects the deep historical connections between Portugal and the Arab world, enriching understanding of Arabic influence in Portuguese culture and daily life. Sheikh Dr Sultan also gifted important historical manuscripts to the university, symbolizing the return of knowledge to its rightful place. May Allah bless this centre and its mission to promote knowledge, respect, and friendship across cultures.