Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre, as part of its ‘Prize story’ series, is celebrating all this month the ‘Key of Hope’ memento, presented to H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, by Sheikha Maryam bint Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, his granddaughter, during the opening of the 28th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair, held in November 2009 under the slogan “In Love with the Written Word.” The “Prize Story” project by Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre aims to shed light on a monthly basis on one of the most distinctive awards and pieces from the collection of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.

The ‘Key of Hope’ is a beautiful and symbolic appreciation for what His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has provided to children and young people for decades, driven by his passion to keep the human being as the foundation and focus of development in the Emirate of Sharjah.

As part of this vision of the Sharjah Ruler, institutions such as Sharjah Children’s Centres, the Sharjah Youth Centre, and Sajaya Sharjah Girls were established, in addition to the tireless efforts of various sectors and organisations in the emirate towards this cause. All these efforts have resulted in Sharjah being declared as a “Child and Adolescent-friendly City” by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The ‘Key of Hope’ memento was presented to H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi back in November 2009 during his tour of the various pavilions at the Sharjah International Book Fair including Kalimat Publishing and Distribution House.

On this occasion, a group of children from Victoria International School presented readings from the book “If I Were a Bird” before the Sharjah Ruler. It was at this point that Sheikha Maryam bint Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi presented the “Key of Hope” to her grandfather as an expression of her love and the children’s love and appreciation for everything he has been doing for children across the Arab world and for children around the world.