Ruler of Sharjah Inaugurates the 14th International Government Communication Forum
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His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated on Wednesday morning the 14th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of Sharjah Family and Community Council.اضافة اعلان
Organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau at Expo Centre Sharjah, the two-day forum brings together more than 237 speakers from around the world under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life.”
At the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi delivered a keynote speech, beginning with a story from Islamic history during the reign of the just Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz. When the Islamic state expanded and wealth flowed from its various resources, Umar did not keep the treasury closed but instead distributed resources among the people. He sought out the poor until no one remained in need, helped young people get married, and paid off debts. It is even narrated that he ordered wheat to be scattered on mountaintops so that no bird in Muslim lands would go hungry.
The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah added: “This decision was not individual but the outcome of consultation with wise men who debated and approved a plan ensuring that public wealth was not the privilege of a select few but a right managed with transparency and justice. It set priorities, organized rights, and turned state resources into tools to protect and strengthen society.”
He continued: “This story is more than a historical account; it is a lesson in political sociology and in the art of communication—identifying society’s needs and transforming resources into a shared social guarantee. Leaders became dialogue partners, and people turned from passive recipients to active partners. From that time to the present, the principle remains the same: development requires communication, and decision-making requires dialogue.”
Highlighting Sharjah’s unique model of effective communication, he said: “Today, this journey continues under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who made people the center of development, culture the foundation of communication, and values the compass of progress and sustainability. To achieve this, His Highness established several specialized institutions such as the Consultative Council, municipal councils, and neighborhood councils, which act as bridges between citizens and authorities—listening to their concerns, studying their needs, and raising proposals to improve the quality of life in Sharjah.”
He further emphasized that children and youth also participate in decision-making through initiatives like “Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators,” chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, which includes the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council and the Sharjah Youth Shura Council, ensuring that the voices of younger generations are heard.
Speaking about IGCF’s role, he said: “Since its inception, the forum has been guided by the belief that communication which does not uplift people is incomplete. Each edition has been built on a pillar that helped advance government communication practices regionally and globally. This year, our focus is on communication for quality of life.”
He concluded: “Quality of life is not built by laws alone, but through bridges of trust and channels of dialogue that bring institutions closer to the people and make citizens part of decision-making. History has taught us that the greatest projects failed when communication was absent, and the smallest initiatives succeeded when people were partners in them.”
In a panel titled “From Family Awareness to Community Solidarity,” Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi shared her journey from a young woman and wife of a ruler dedicated to raising her children, to becoming a mother of an entire emirate, working to prepare a generation rooted in Islamic values and authentic Arab traditions. She recounted the early steps of founding Al Montazah Girls Club, made possible with the generous support and guidance of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. The club became a hub for girls to discover hobbies, develop skills, and practice sports, producing generations of successful women leaders. Winning the trust of parents in a conservative society, she said, was her greatest challenge.
Her Highness explained that the club also served as a meeting place for women to express needs and aspirations, leading to the creation of various institutions. She also highlighted the “Rubu’ Qarn” project, which operates 31 centers with over 30,000 members, fostering talent and building skills from childhood through non-traditional education and extracurricular activities.
She stressed that the foundation nurtures future leaders who view leadership as service to society, preparing them for inevitable future changes. She also emphasized that parents’ feedback is a priority when designing programs. Today, around 30% of Sharjah’s youth are enrolled in Rubu’ Qarn institutions.
Her Highness went on to highlight humanitarian campaigns, including “The Big Heart,” which evolved into an independent international humanitarian foundation supporting refugees and those in need worldwide. She noted that its programs extend beyond relief to include health and education, with 100% of donations reaching beneficiaries as the government covers administrative expenses. “Children of the world are our children. We cannot accept for them what we would not accept for our own,” she said, stressing that every child has the right to grow up in safety and dignity.
She spoke of her global humanitarian efforts as UNHCR’s first-ever Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, including opening a clinic in Zaatari Camp in Jordan, the “Noor” program for orphans in Gaza, and building a high school for refugee girls in Kenya.
Referring to this year’s theme “Communication for Quality of Life,” she said institutions under the Sharjah Family and Community Council are committed to ensuring well-being, guided by the principle that true giving lies in impactful charitable projects, such as the Virtual Excellence Program for Cardiac and Oncology Diseases with Royal Brompton Hospital.
She praised the dedicated teams of the institutions she oversees, underlining their social responsibility and adaptability, and concluded by emphasizing the role of Sharjah Family Development Foundation in translating studies into policy recommendations for leadership, thus enhancing family awareness and community solidarity.
The opening ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a visual presentation on the importance of planting seeds and cultivating the land for sustainable livelihoods and quality of life. A film was also screened showcasing the humanitarian and educational initiatives spearheaded by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.
The event was attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Issam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation; Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Suburbs Affairs; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah Digital Office; Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director-General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation; Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority; Sheikh Eng. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Director of Municipal Affairs Department; H.E. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs; along with senior federal and local officials, media professionals, and influencers.
Organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau at Expo Centre Sharjah, the two-day forum brings together more than 237 speakers from around the world under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life.”
At the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi delivered a keynote speech, beginning with a story from Islamic history during the reign of the just Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz. When the Islamic state expanded and wealth flowed from its various resources, Umar did not keep the treasury closed but instead distributed resources among the people. He sought out the poor until no one remained in need, helped young people get married, and paid off debts. It is even narrated that he ordered wheat to be scattered on mountaintops so that no bird in Muslim lands would go hungry.
The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah added: “This decision was not individual but the outcome of consultation with wise men who debated and approved a plan ensuring that public wealth was not the privilege of a select few but a right managed with transparency and justice. It set priorities, organized rights, and turned state resources into tools to protect and strengthen society.”
He continued: “This story is more than a historical account; it is a lesson in political sociology and in the art of communication—identifying society’s needs and transforming resources into a shared social guarantee. Leaders became dialogue partners, and people turned from passive recipients to active partners. From that time to the present, the principle remains the same: development requires communication, and decision-making requires dialogue.”
Highlighting Sharjah’s unique model of effective communication, he said: “Today, this journey continues under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who made people the center of development, culture the foundation of communication, and values the compass of progress and sustainability. To achieve this, His Highness established several specialized institutions such as the Consultative Council, municipal councils, and neighborhood councils, which act as bridges between citizens and authorities—listening to their concerns, studying their needs, and raising proposals to improve the quality of life in Sharjah.”
He further emphasized that children and youth also participate in decision-making through initiatives like “Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators,” chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, which includes the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council and the Sharjah Youth Shura Council, ensuring that the voices of younger generations are heard.
Speaking about IGCF’s role, he said: “Since its inception, the forum has been guided by the belief that communication which does not uplift people is incomplete. Each edition has been built on a pillar that helped advance government communication practices regionally and globally. This year, our focus is on communication for quality of life.”
He concluded: “Quality of life is not built by laws alone, but through bridges of trust and channels of dialogue that bring institutions closer to the people and make citizens part of decision-making. History has taught us that the greatest projects failed when communication was absent, and the smallest initiatives succeeded when people were partners in them.”
In a panel titled “From Family Awareness to Community Solidarity,” Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi shared her journey from a young woman and wife of a ruler dedicated to raising her children, to becoming a mother of an entire emirate, working to prepare a generation rooted in Islamic values and authentic Arab traditions. She recounted the early steps of founding Al Montazah Girls Club, made possible with the generous support and guidance of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. The club became a hub for girls to discover hobbies, develop skills, and practice sports, producing generations of successful women leaders. Winning the trust of parents in a conservative society, she said, was her greatest challenge.
Her Highness explained that the club also served as a meeting place for women to express needs and aspirations, leading to the creation of various institutions. She also highlighted the “Rubu’ Qarn” project, which operates 31 centers with over 30,000 members, fostering talent and building skills from childhood through non-traditional education and extracurricular activities.
She stressed that the foundation nurtures future leaders who view leadership as service to society, preparing them for inevitable future changes. She also emphasized that parents’ feedback is a priority when designing programs. Today, around 30% of Sharjah’s youth are enrolled in Rubu’ Qarn institutions.
Her Highness went on to highlight humanitarian campaigns, including “The Big Heart,” which evolved into an independent international humanitarian foundation supporting refugees and those in need worldwide. She noted that its programs extend beyond relief to include health and education, with 100% of donations reaching beneficiaries as the government covers administrative expenses. “Children of the world are our children. We cannot accept for them what we would not accept for our own,” she said, stressing that every child has the right to grow up in safety and dignity.
She spoke of her global humanitarian efforts as UNHCR’s first-ever Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, including opening a clinic in Zaatari Camp in Jordan, the “Noor” program for orphans in Gaza, and building a high school for refugee girls in Kenya.
Referring to this year’s theme “Communication for Quality of Life,” she said institutions under the Sharjah Family and Community Council are committed to ensuring well-being, guided by the principle that true giving lies in impactful charitable projects, such as the Virtual Excellence Program for Cardiac and Oncology Diseases with Royal Brompton Hospital.
She praised the dedicated teams of the institutions she oversees, underlining their social responsibility and adaptability, and concluded by emphasizing the role of Sharjah Family Development Foundation in translating studies into policy recommendations for leadership, thus enhancing family awareness and community solidarity.
The opening ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a visual presentation on the importance of planting seeds and cultivating the land for sustainable livelihoods and quality of life. A film was also screened showcasing the humanitarian and educational initiatives spearheaded by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.
The event was attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Issam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation; Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Suburbs Affairs; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah Digital Office; Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director-General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation; Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority; Sheikh Eng. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Director of Municipal Affairs Department; H.E. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs; along with senior federal and local officials, media professionals, and influencers.
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