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The centre is the first of its kind dedicated to teaching the Arabic language and culture in Portugal and is located at one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
His Highness also launched the Joanina Digital Library, gifted the library the rare Barbosa Manuscript dating back to 1565, and signed his book A Momentous Journey, published in Arabic, English, and Portuguese.
His Highness unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the opening of the Centre for Arabic Studies, before exploring the centre’s services, resources, and programmes designed to support Arabic language learning and cultural dissemination.
He met with students studying at the centre, commending their dedication to learning the rich Arabic language, its culture, and arts, which promotes cultural dialogue and preserves heritage.
The opening of the centre, supported by the Emirate of Sharjah, reflects the Sharjah Ruler’s vision to enhance the international presence of Arab culture and the UAE’s commitment to building bridges for civilisational and intellectual dialogue between East and West.
Situated at the prestigious University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, the centre gains significant academic and cultural value, establishing itself as an influential platform for connecting Arab culture with European academic experience.
The centre will organise specialised Arabic language programmes, offer advanced curricula in grammar and calligraphy, and host seminars and cultural forums bringing Arab writers and creatives together with their counterparts in Portugal and Europe.
Additionally, poets and authors from the Arab world will be invited to participate in literary and intellectual events, expanding cultural exchange and deepening mutual understanding between the Arab and European worlds.
The Centre for Arabic Studies represents the latest international initiative by the Emirate of Sharjah to enhance the presence of Arab culture in global academic institutions. It will serve as a vital link between universities and research centres, and the Arab cultural and creative output, acting as a dynamic hub for ongoing cooperation and dialogue.
Following the inauguration, His Highness visited the historic Joanina Library within the University of Coimbra, which hosted the ceremony marking the opening of the Centre for Arabic Studies and the launch of the Joanina Digital Library. During the event, His Highness delivered a speech, stating:
"This is not my first visit to this great institution; I had the honour of receiving an honorary doctorate from your esteemed university seven years ago. My connection with Portuguese history goes back many years, during which I worked to document our country’s history at a time when the Portuguese were part of it. One of my most important journeys in this research was tracing the Barbosa Manuscript, which had been missing for nearly 100 years before being discovered, and I acquired it in 2012."
Regarding the Barbosa Manuscript, His Highness added: "This manuscript contains a text written by the Portuguese officer Duarte Barbosa, who accompanied Portuguese colonial leaders in the 16th century from the Gulf of San Sebastian to the coasts of China, passing through our region in the Arabian Gulf. I traced this manuscript from one archive to another, from one reference to the next, until I obtained a complete copy, which I studied carefully. I found it presents a completely different perspective from the accounts we had been given about that historical period."
The Ruler of Sharjah praised Barbosa’s honesty and accuracy in recording events, saying: "What struck me most in the manuscript was the author’s integrity in description and truthfulness in reporting, which makes it a rare testimony detailing our region at that time and the nature of relationships between its people and outsiders. Barbosa, unknowingly, restored balance to a narrative that had long been distorted at a time when authentic documentation was rare and courageous. He illuminated Portuguese history and did justice to its present while honouring the Arab past, documenting the presence, virtues, and humanity of its people. Barbosa affirmed that despite the challenges and occupation faced by the peoples of our region, they maintained their humanity, embraced others, and upheld dignity and coexistence among nations and religions."
His Highness continued: "Barbosa also described the progress achieved by the people of the region in various fields—science, culture, urban development, trade systems, and societal civilisation—while clearly indicating that occupying powers from across the seas engaged in destruction, plundering, and domination."
Regarding the reasons for publishing his book, His Highness said: "When I decided to publish this book and translate it into Arabic, English, and Portuguese, I was not merely seeking historical validation but true justice for our people, restoring their narrative as seen by a contemporary witness. I believe that knowledge grounded in truth forms a strong bridge for dialogue and a solid foundation for building relationships between peoples. Therefore, I was keen to preserve Barbosa’s language as he wrote it, maintaining his honesty and humility, conveying his voice without colouring or alteration, as I found in him the spirit of a sincere researcher documenting what he saw."
He added: "This is what I intended with the book: to provide future generations with a robust knowledge document to guide their civilisational dialogues in a world where concepts change overnight and narratives are contested through power rather than justice. Today, I stand before you bringing the original Barbosa Manuscript and my book A Momentous Journey as a gift, placing the source of the narrative in the hands of its rightful custodians."
His Highness announced the opening of the Centre for Arabic Studies, stating: "I am pleased to inaugurate the Centre for Arabic Studies at the University of Coimbra, marking the first teaching of Arabic at this esteemed institution and opening a window for engagement with literature, art, and creativity in the Arab world. This inauguration reflects a sincere desire to give Arab culture meaningful space for interaction, openness, and dialogue as an essential pillar impacting shared human development, and to provide non-Arabic speakers with the opportunity to explore the richness of Arab culture, its civilisation, and future horizons."
His Highness also announced the launch of the Joanina Digital Library, a project completed in cooperation with the University of Coimbra, expressing hope for continued collaboration to elevate the value of knowledge for present and future generations. He concluded: "Today, from here, we affirm to the world that culture may not change geography, but it changes the way we view it. It may not erase borders, but it can turn them into living bridges and spaces for encounter. Culture does not change history, but it changes the way we read it."
In his speech, Amílcar Valcão, Rector of the University of Coimbra, recalled granting His Highness an honorary doctorate in 2018, marking a milestone in the relationship between Portugal and Sharjah. He emphasised the shared commitment to building strong and sustainable ties, noting that culture provides fertile ground for dialogue and future collaboration.
Valcão highlighted the digitisation initiative developed by the University in cooperation with the Sharjah Book Authority, launching the first section: the Middle East Digital Collection, named the Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Collection. The digital library provides an invaluable research resource, facilitating access to historical materials related to the Portuguese presence in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula.
His Highness launched the Joanina Digital Library, part of a UNESCO-recognised heritage library, enabling global access to rare manuscripts and books, including 30,000 valuable items. The digitisation process led to the discovery of previously unknown manuscripts, enriching the library’s archives.
During the event, His Highness signed his book A Momentous Journey, published in Arabic, English, and Portuguese. The book is a scholarly edition of the Barbosa Manuscript, a key Portuguese document chronicling the early 16th century, including detailed accounts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and India, providing a pivotal reference for studying navigation and cultural exchange between Arabs and Portuguese during that era.
His Highness gifted the Joanina Library the original Barbosa Manuscript from 1565, upon which his book was based. The manuscript, considered one of the most complete surviving copies, had been lost for nearly 100 years and was acquired by His Highness in 2012. Despite his personal attachment, he emphasised the importance of returning the complete original to the library at the University of Coimbra.
Dr José Pedro presented His Highness’s book, noting its scholarly value and the rare manuscripts it contains. Attendees viewed a film about the book, highlighting its historical and scientific content. His Highness received a commemorative gift from Amílcar Valcão in recognition of his cultural initiatives with the University of Coimbra. He toured the historic Joanina Library, viewing its rare manuscripts and learning about the collaborative efforts between the Sharjah Book Authority and the library in digitising and preserving its historical heritage.
His Highness was accompanied by Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud, UAE Ambassador to Portugal; Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority; Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Dr Sultan Al Ameemi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Writers Union; Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; and senior Emirati and Portuguese officials.
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