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The forum witnessed an official and cultural celebration honoring four Mauritanian literary figures who have contributed over decades to the service of literature, culture, and knowledge, leaving a clear mark on the Mauritanian and Arab cultural landscape. Those honoured were Dr. Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Ould Al-Sa'd, Dr. Sayyid Abdullah Zayn Al Mahboubi, Dr. Muhammad Al-Amin Al-Hadhrami, and Dr. Ahmad Ould Habibullah Ahmad — in appreciation of their scholarly and literary contributions and their role in enriching cultural life.
The forum is held in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to honour literary figures who have contributed to the service of contemporary Arab culture. This marks the fifth time the forum has visited Mauritania, having previously honored 16 Mauritanian creatives across earlier editions.
The tribute ceremony was held at the Conference Palace in Nouakchott, attended by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture; His Excellency Hamad Ghanem Al-Muhairi, UAE Ambassador to Mauritania; and His Excellency Al-Fadil Ould Sidati Ahmad, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Traditional Education, representing the Mauritanian Minister of Culture. Also present were a large audience of Mauritanian intellectuals, academics, writers, and the families of the four honorees.
Mohammed Al Qasir delivered a speech in which he highlighted the importance of the ongoing cooperation between Sharjah and Mauritania, saying: "We are pleased to gather today at this cultural event, which embodies the depth of cultural cooperation between the Sharjah Department of Culture and the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Parliamentary Relations — a cooperation that over the years has yielded numerous initiatives and events contributing to the support of Arab culture, reinforcing the presence of thought and creativity, and cementing literature's role as a bridge of communication between peoples."
He added: "The Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum continues to advance its mission of honoring writers and thinkers across the Arab world, driven by a firm belief in the importance of culture and the promotion of dialogue, openness, and tolerance. The forum reflects the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in celebrating creative individuals and honoring those who have made contributions to Arab cultural achievement."
He noted that the Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum returns to Mauritania at a new stop on its Arab tour, carrying with it a message of loyalty to creative figures and celebration of their contributions. He extended his thanks to the Ministry of Culture for its productive and ongoing cooperation in the success of joint cultural programs.
Al Qasir conveyed the congratulations of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to the honorees, saying: "I am honored to convey the congratulations of His Highness the Sharjah Ruler, to those honoured at this edition, as well as His Highness's greetings and his wishes for your continued success."
Al-Fadil Ahmad welcomed attendees and said: "It is my great pleasure to be present with you at the Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum, which stands as a prominent event crowning a long and fruitful journey of sincere fraternal cooperation and strategic partnership between the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the United Arab Emirates. This is an occasion for us to express, on behalf of the Mauritanian government and people, our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the pioneering cultural initiatives sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, which constitute a true pillar of Arab cultural endeavour and a cradle for creatives across the Arab world."
The Minister of Islamic Affairs affirmed that the Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum represents a meaningful civilizational message, confirming that a nation which honors its intellectual and literary figures is a living nation, rooted in its glorious past and vibrant present as it builds a bright future. He noted that the forum celebrates some of the finest of Mauritania's sons — researchers, thinkers, and creatives — who have rendered great service to Arab and Islamic culture.
He noted that the close cooperation with the Sharjah Department of Culture stands as a model to be emulated in creating shared spaces for developing talent, reviving heritage, and energising the Arab creative scene — as seen in the experience of the House of Poetry in Nouakchott, which has become a renowned literary beacon. He affirmed that the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture will continue to open doors and provide all administrative and organizational facilities to support and expand frameworks for joint creative initiatives with Sharjah.
The honourees expressed their profound gratitude and appreciation to Sharjah for this tribute, which they described as recognition of their literary and intellectual journeys, and as a celebration of the value of cultural giving and the role of the intellectual. They affirmed that the Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum has become one of the most prominent Arab cultural initiatives dedicated to a culture of loyalty to creative individuals and recognition of their contributions, and commended the pioneering role Sharjah plays in supporting literature, thought, and knowledge.
The honourees also praised the cultural vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, which has made culture a cornerstone of a comprehensive civilizational project and has contributed to elevating the status of creatives and highlighting their role in preserving Arab identity. They considered this tribute to go beyond honoring individuals to honoring Arab culture itself, and the human and intellectual values carried by literature and creativity.
Al-Mahboubi said: "I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for the honour bestowed upon me by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness has always demonstrated a firm belief in the necessity of advancing the Arabic language and its culture, translating that into tangible reality witnessed across cultural arenas throughout the Arab world — where His Highness has devoted himself to the service of the Arab nation, its language, and its culture. The honoring of researchers and creatives is but one manifestation of these many expressions."
He added: "Our thanks also go to the Sharjah Department of Culture for its sincere and dedicated efforts aimed at achieving the goals of this project, which has marked a turning point in the history of Arab culture."
Ould Al-Sa'd said: "Sharjah's commitment to culture embodies a civilizational vision that has made culture a fundamental pillar in building people, advancing development, and entrenching identity. Through thoughtful cultural projects and sustainable initiatives, Sharjah has presented a distinguished Arab model of investment in knowledge and creativity, cementing its place as a center of cultural radiance and civilizational dialogue."
He added: "I am honoured to extend my sincere thanks and profound gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for his pioneering initiative in launching the Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum — which has become an established Arab cultural tradition of honoring creatives and preserving their intellectual legacy, and an embodiment of a deep belief in the role of culture in the renaissance of societies and in envisioning their future."
Muhammad Al-Amin expressed his pride in this tribute, affirming that it carries significance beyond honoring individuals — extending to the celebration of Arab culture and the service of the Arabic language and its literature. He noted that this recognition serves as an incentive to continue intellectual and creative contribution, and reflects the value of loyalty that distinguishes Sharjah's cultural project in its engagement with Arab writers and thinkers, and its dedication to highlighting their achievements and celebrating their role in enriching the Arab library.
He praised the cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and the initiatives and qualitative projects it has generated in the service of Arab culture, noting that Sharjah's cultural projects — from Houses of Poetry to various knowledge initiatives — have entrenched the presence of the Arabic language and elevated the standing of Arab literature and thought. He affirmed that Sharjah has become a leading Arab model in investing in culture and knowledge, and in honouring creatives and celebrating their human and civilisational achievements.
Ahmad Habibullah said this tribute represents a moment of loyalty to Arab culture, expressing his great appreciation for Sharjah, which has made the honouring of writers and thinkers an ongoing cultural approach rooted in a deep belief in the value of creativity. He added that this celebration gives creatives a sense that their intellectual and literary efforts receive the recognition they deserve, and affirms that culture still holds an elevated place in the conscience of the Arab nation.
He affirmed that Sharjah's Arab and international cultural presence is the result of the exceptional vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who has built a comprehensive cultural project whose impact has extended to all Arab countries through initiatives supporting writers, the Arabic language, scientific research, and literary creativity. He noted that the Sharjah Cultural Tribute Forum embodies an important facet of this project by celebrating Arab literary and intellectual figures and documenting their legacy, strengthening a culture of recognition of contributions and entrenching the intellectual's standing in Arab society.
Born in 1959, Dr. Ahmad Ould Habibullah Ahmad is one of Mauritania's most prominent academics and researchers. He served as Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Nouakchott and contributed throughout his scholarly career to enriching literary and critical studies related to Mauritanian and Maghrebi literature. He left a clear mark through several reference works addressing the history, transformations, and issues of literature, most notably: The History of Mauritanian Literature; The Presence of Maghrebi Literature in Arabic Studies; University Research Techniques: Methodology of Literary Research and Sources; Arabic Literature in Mauritania from the 5th to the 15th Hijri Century; Mauritanian Theater: History, Text and Criticism; and Hassaniyya Poetry: Questions and Issues — works that contributed to documenting Mauritanian literary achievement and highlighting its presence in the Arab cultural space.
Born in 1953, Dr. Sayyid Abdullah Zayn Al-Mahboubi is one of Mauritania's distinguished scholarly and cultural names. Holding a doctorate in Geography, his professional and academic career has been closely linked to issues of development, society, and culture. He served as Director of the National Committee for Place Naming and was a founding member of the Mauritanian Geographical Society. Through his research and studies, he contributed to documenting important aspects of Mauritanian social and cultural history. His most notable works include: The Development Path in Mauritania; Cultural Life in the Brakna Region during the 10th and 11th Hijri Centuries; Internal Migration and Development in Mauritania; and Social Values: Factors that Shaped the Features of the Mauritanian Family — works that combine research and documentation, offering a significant knowledge contribution to the study of Mauritanian society and its cultural and developmental transformations.
Born in 1959, Dr. Muhammad Al-Amin Al-Hadhrami is one of Mauritania's foremost researchers and academics in Arabic language and literature, holding a doctorate in this specialization. Throughout his scholarly career, he has contributed to the study of Shingiti literature and its aesthetic and intellectual dimensions. He has authored a number of works that have enriched the Arabic library with specialized studies, most notably: Shingiti Culture; The Artistic Structure of the Lyric Poem; Context and Meaning; Shingiti Poetry: A System of Values; and Maghrebi Cultural Connectivity: Mauritania and Morocco as a Model. These works represent a knowledge contribution to reading the Mauritanian literary and cultural heritage and highlighting the distinctiveness of the Shingiti experience and its presence in the Arab cultural landscape.
Born in 1953, Dr. Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Ould Al-Sa'd is among the Mauritanian researchers who have contributed to the study of history, culture, and heritage, drawing on a solid academic background crowned by a doctorate in History. His scholarly career has been devoted to documenting various aspects of Mauritania's history and civilizational heritage. His research interests span social and cultural history, tracking scholarly movements, caravans, and scientific journeys. His works include: Shifa' Al-Ghalil fi Dhikr Milad Al-Jamil (a didactic poem); Hajj Journeys and Their Role in Highlighting the Cultural Features of the Shingiti Scholar; The Routes of Caravans and Their Role in Cultural Connectivity across the Sahara; and Social Values: Factors that Shaped the Features of the Mauritanian Family.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir presented certificates of appreciation to the four honorees, bearing the signature of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of their creative efforts.
Accompanying the tribute ceremony was an exhibition featuring a selection of publications by the Sharjah Department of Culture, including Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al-Rafid Magazine, Al-Qawafi Magazine, and Al-Masrah (Theater) Magazine. The exhibition drew considerable interest from attendees, with readers and writers thronging to explore the diverse cultural titles on display.
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