Sharjah Ruler Establishes Harun Al Rashid International Award

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has established the Harun Al Rashid International Award for Sciences, Literature, Arts and Notable Figures through an Emiri Decree.

The periodic honorary award will operate in Sharjah with legal personality as well as financial and administrative independence. It will recognise significant achievements and lasting contributions across four fields: sciences, literature, arts and studies of notable figures.

Its objectives include supporting excellence and innovation, encouraging scientific research and knowledge production, promoting literary and artistic creativity, and strengthening research into biographies and the lives of notable figures. The award will also seek to preserve scientific and cultural memory by highlighting contributors throughout history and encouraging studies of Arab and non-Arab intellectual, scientific and cultural figures.

The decree also sets out a broader focus on works examining interaction between civilisations, while highlighting inspiring role models and emerging talent and reinforcing the value of knowledge.

A Board of Trustees chaired by Sheikh Dr Sultan will oversee the award’s general policy, strategic plans, participation criteria, judging panels, evaluation results, prize values and the timetable for each cycle. Board members will be appointed for renewable four-year terms.