Biography of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi

The book is a journey that delves into aspects of the life of the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, from his birth in 1954 until his passing in 2018. The book offers important insights in a comprehensive narrative, as the author has addressed multiple facets of his cultural, social, and intellectual journey, as well as many humanitarian stances and meanings based on noble values and ethics. The book's style weaves a human thread into the creation of moving images and scenes, presenting the narrative as an emotional outpouring in poetic language that attempts to capture the tragedy of loss.
The book is prefaced by a delicate introduction signed by Dr. Omar Abdulaziz, which serves as brilliant insights into the late Sheikh Ahmed Al Qasimi. Some excerpts state: "In a fleeting moment, I recalled that eternal tragedy which ended his life at the peak of his giving, coupled with the foresight of those who see beyond hills and mountains. He departed our world as if he were a Greek symbol stemming from the wonders of Homeric epics, and that, by my life, is one of the calamities of time that cuts with the sharp blade of fate." The introduction is a poetic prose text, and the book includes many testimonials from those who lived alongside the deceased.
Chapters, scenes, and elegiac poems explore aspects of the blessed life of the deceased, speaking of his virtues, noble character, and refined manners. They also discuss his contributions to public work, considering him one of the cultural figures in Emirati society. Born in the Emirate of Sharjah, he held a business administration degree from the United Kingdom and began his life as a businessman. He was greatly influenced by theatre and visual arts. The book indicates that the deceased is considered the pioneer in implementing the cultural project of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The book highlights the significant role played by Sheikh Ahmed Al Qasimi in cultural life, as he sponsored the Sharjah Fine Arts Society in 1981, the Sharjah National Theatre, and "Al Rawla" magazine during its initial launch in 1980. He also oversaw the first Arabic Book Fair in Sharjah in 1981 and was responsible for establishing the Department of Culture and Information (at that time) in 1981 by Emiri decree. He launched the cultural season in 1982 and worked to establish the UAE Writers and Authors Union, in addition to establishing associations for the Chess Club, photographers, and cartoonists, as well as founding the Children's Culture Festival and managing Sharjah Television in 1989. He also chaired the Supreme Council for Culture, Arts, and Literature in Sharjah and launched Sharjah Theatre Days. He had many interests in developing school theatre, excavating archaeological sites in the Emirate of Sharjah, reviving cultural heritage, and preserving and restoring traditional historical architecture. All these great works present us with a rich history of a man who dedicated his life to culture, arts, and creativity, making him one of the figures of literature, knowledge, and thought in the country and the Arab world. He is among those who contributed to the renaissance and advancement of Sharjah until it became a great cultural edifice and a capital for literature, arts, thought, and knowledge, attracting creators from various fields from all over the world.
In the book, Osama Marra paints a portrait of the departed, ever-present figure with colors of love and loyalty. He recalls memories and turns his heart to several occasions that brought him together with the late Sheikh Ahmed Al Qasimi, who headed the Department of Culture from 1981 to 1992. Marra discusses many of his good qualities and virtues, bringing the reader closer to the deceased by providing a precise description of him: Sheikh Ahmed was tall like a palm tree, with radiant eyes and a charming smile that easily opened hearts, as Sheikh Ahmed occupied a large space in the heart of everyone he met. This clearly indicates that whoever Allah loves, He makes His servants love him. Sheikh Ahmed was also loyal to the great trust bestowed upon him by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, who chose him as head of the Department of Culture due to the importance of the cultural project that His Highness was preparing to launch. Sheikh Ahmed served with dedication, a team spirit, and an ability to initiate. He was also characterized by tolerance. The book indicates that this personality requires further study and research in his honor.
Muhammad Najib Qaddoura, through his participation in the book, masterfully chronicled details of Sheikh Ahmed's life, using elegant prose in poetic language, describing the deceased's biography as the cultural tale of a pearl among creators. The author traces Sheikh Ahmed's footsteps to enumerate his virtues and actions that reveal his noble character, a product of being a descendant of a distinguished family.