On the occasion of the birthday of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, on Thursday, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi shared a heartfelt message reflecting their close father-daughter bond and wishing him continued health and well-being.

Writing on Instagram, Sheikha Bodour said: "My dear father, you have always been and continue to be a steadfast pillar, a light that guides our steps, and a sanctuary we have sought in every season of life."

The message, which prompted a wave of comments wishing the Sharjah Ruler a long and healthy life, was accompanied by a photo of Sheikha Bodour and Sheikh Dr. Sultan inside a car—a rare and intimate glimpse of a candid family moment away from the formalities of public life.

As his daughter, Sheikha Bodour has frequently reflected her father’s influence in her intellectual, cultural, and philanthropic endeavors, particularly in the fields of publishing, education, and cultural development. Sheikh Dr. Sultan, renowned for his long-standing focus on knowledge and culture in Sharjah, has shaped much of the emirate’s cultural identity—a path Sheikha Bodour has complemented through her own initiatives in literacy, publishing, and global cultural exchange.

She wrote: "You taught us that strength lies in kindness, dignity is built through action, and love is the most beautiful legacy a person can leave behind."

Sheikha Bodour concluded her emotional tribute with a prayer for Sheikh Dr. Sultan, asking God to bless his life and fill his days with peace and joy, "just as you have filled our lives with love and tranquility... Happy Birthday."

Sheikh Dr. Sultan

Sheikh Dr. Sultan was born on Sunday, July 2, 1939, in Sharjah, to Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi and Sheikha Maryam bint Sheikh Ghanem Al Shamsi. He has four brothers and two sisters: Sheikh Khalid, Sheikh Saqr, Sheikh Abdulaziz, Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikha Sheikha, and Sheikha Naeema.

He also has three half-brothers and six half-sisters: Sheikh Rashid, Sheikh Humaid, Sheikh Ali, Sheikha Moza, Sheikha Alia, Sheikha Ghaya, Sheikha Noura, Sheikha Aisha, and Sheikha Azza.

His first wife was Sheikha Moza bint Salem bin Mohammed bin Mane' Al Falasi, with whom he had two children: his son, Sheikh Mohammed, who passed away on April 3, 1999, at the age of 24, and his daughter, Sheikha Azza.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan is also married to Sheikha Jawaher bint Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, with whom he has three daughters and one son: Sheikha Bodour, Sheikha Noor, Sheikha Hoor, and Sheikh Khalid, who passed away on July 1, 2019, at the age of 40.

In September 1948, at the age of nine, the Ruler of Sharjah enrolled in Al Islah Al Qasimiya School. In 1954, he joined a private English school to learn the language. He completed his primary and secondary education between Sharjah and Kuwait. In 1965, he traveled to Cairo to pursue higher education, enrolling in the Faculty of Agriculture at Cairo University.

He assumed the chairmanship of the Sharjah Municipality in 1965 and, following his graduation in 1971, managed the Office of the Ruler of Sharjah. After the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971, and the formation of the Council of Ministers, he was appointed as the UAE Minister of Education.

On January 25, 1972, Sheikh Dr. Sultan became the Ruler of Sharjah following the assassination of the previous ruler, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, during a coup attempt by loyalists of Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi. At the age of 32, he became a member of the UAE Supreme Council.