As part of its ongoing monthly ‘Prize Story’ project, Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre is celebrating this month the prestigious Senegalese National Merit Medal, conferred on His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, by the then Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade in 2004. The award had been a token of recognition and appreciation of the humanitarian efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.
As part of its ‘Prize Story’ in December, Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre decided to revisit the historic occasion of May 30, 2004 when His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah had received the highest national medal of the Republic of Senegal. This took place during a ceremony at the Office of the Ruler of Sharjah with HE Sheikh Tijani Cisse, the Ambassador of Senegal to the UAE at the time, formally presenting the prestigious medal to the Sharjah Ruler.
The conferring of the highest Senegalese National Merit Medal on His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, had been a tribute to his well-documented efforts, characterised by wisdom, generosity, and lasting goodwill towards the Islamic nation and humanity at large. The Ruler of Sharjah has shown a particular interest in implementing humanitarian projects to rebuild remote areas in numerous African countries, providing their inhabitants with a dignified life.
Senegal has received extensive attention from HH the Ruler of Sharjah, with a focus on supporting educational projects as a compass for the future and building a solid foundation for human development and enabling individuals to be self-reliant. The Sharjah Ruler has especially focused on implementing building projects, offering homes for the impoverished in Senegal and providing them with stable and dignified living conditions within the walls of these homes.
Under the directives of HH the Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate of Sharjah has aimed to provide clean drinking water to the residents by digging wells. It has also undertaken the construction of a number of mosques to facilitate prayers for worshippers. Besides, efforts have been made to enable students to learn and memorise the Holy Quran, as well as study the sciences of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and traditions (hadith).
In recognition of his guiding vision for humanity and as a token of gratitude for his efforts, the Senegal President conferred on the Ruler of Sharjah the highest rank among the five ranks of the National Merit Medal, founded on October 22, 1960. The medal draws its colours from the Senegalese flag, consisting of a narrow green ribbon and a central yellow one. The colour green symbolises the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for Senegalese Muslims, while, for followers of the Christian faith, it represents hope. The yellow colour signifies the country’s wealth.
Senegal’s flag is dominated by a green star in the centre, symbolising openness to the world, the country’s independence, and the five pillars of Islam. Conferring of this honour with this unique symbolism on the Ruler of Sharjah is a source of pride and honour for the Emirate and the nation, reflecting the leadership of a humane and culturally elevated figure who embodies the true and bright image of Islamic and Arab values.
