emirates7 - Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the 21st edition of the Sharjah Cultural Honouring Forum commenced in Cairo on Wednesday.
This year’s event honoured four distinguished Egyptian writers—Itidal Othman, Shawqi Badr, Salah Al-Sarouri, and Ezzat Al-Qamhawi—for their impactful contributions to modern Arab literature.
The forum is part of Sheikh Dr. Sultan’s ongoing efforts to celebrate and acknowledge Arab literary figures whose work has shaped contemporary culture. Notably, this is the sixth time the event has been hosted in Egypt, where 17 Egyptian cultural icons have previously been recognised.
The ceremony was held at the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo and was attended by an array of esteemed guests, including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, alongside prominent writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures.
Hosted by Egyptian poet Obaid Abbas, the event spotlighted Sharjah’s leading role in championing culture and the arts, and how its initiatives have enriched the wider Arab cultural sphere.
In his address, Abdullah Al Owais highlighted the strong cultural partnership between Sharjah and Egypt, which has given rise to numerous literary and artistic events, including theatre productions, poetry recitals, storytelling sessions, and literary awards. He expressed joy at returning to Egypt to honour a new cohort of writers and acknowledged their significant literary achievements.
Al Owais emphasized that this collaboration reflects the enduring bond between the UAE and Egypt, nurtured by the visionary leadership of both nations. He also extended greetings on behalf of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah to the honorees and thanked the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for their continuous support of Arab cultural initiatives.
Professor Ashraf Al-Azazy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Culture, remarked that this special edition of the forum celebrates a group of authors who have deeply enriched Egyptian cultural life. He commended them for embodying Egypt’s creative and intellectual vitality and for championing values such as truth, beauty, and goodness through their work—highlighting their influence across the Arab world.
The honoured writers expressed their gratitude to H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, praising his steadfast support for Arab culture. They acknowledged the emirate's leading role in using culture as a foundation for personal and societal development, noting that Sharjah’s initiatives stand as a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and inspiration throughout the region.
This year’s event honoured four distinguished Egyptian writers—Itidal Othman, Shawqi Badr, Salah Al-Sarouri, and Ezzat Al-Qamhawi—for their impactful contributions to modern Arab literature.
The forum is part of Sheikh Dr. Sultan’s ongoing efforts to celebrate and acknowledge Arab literary figures whose work has shaped contemporary culture. Notably, this is the sixth time the event has been hosted in Egypt, where 17 Egyptian cultural icons have previously been recognised.
The ceremony was held at the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo and was attended by an array of esteemed guests, including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, alongside prominent writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures.
Hosted by Egyptian poet Obaid Abbas, the event spotlighted Sharjah’s leading role in championing culture and the arts, and how its initiatives have enriched the wider Arab cultural sphere.
In his address, Abdullah Al Owais highlighted the strong cultural partnership between Sharjah and Egypt, which has given rise to numerous literary and artistic events, including theatre productions, poetry recitals, storytelling sessions, and literary awards. He expressed joy at returning to Egypt to honour a new cohort of writers and acknowledged their significant literary achievements.
Al Owais emphasized that this collaboration reflects the enduring bond between the UAE and Egypt, nurtured by the visionary leadership of both nations. He also extended greetings on behalf of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah to the honorees and thanked the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for their continuous support of Arab cultural initiatives.
Professor Ashraf Al-Azazy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Culture, remarked that this special edition of the forum celebrates a group of authors who have deeply enriched Egyptian cultural life. He commended them for embodying Egypt’s creative and intellectual vitality and for championing values such as truth, beauty, and goodness through their work—highlighting their influence across the Arab world.
The honoured writers expressed their gratitude to H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, praising his steadfast support for Arab culture. They acknowledged the emirate's leading role in using culture as a foundation for personal and societal development, noting that Sharjah’s initiatives stand as a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and inspiration throughout the region.