Sharjah Ruler opens Arabic studies centre in Portugal

CEREMONY ALSO MARKED THE LAUNCH OF THE JOANINA DIGITAL LIBRARY

- BY ABDULLA RASHEED Abu Dhabi Editor

Dr Shaikh Sultan formally presented the original 1565 Barbosa Manuscript to the Joanina Library in the presence of Shaikha Bodour and University of Coimbra President Amilcar Falcao.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Centre for Arabic Studies at Portugal's University of Coimbra on Saturday.

The event, attended by Shaikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority, marks the country's first academic centre devoted to Arabic language and culture at one of Europe's oldest and most esteemed universities.