The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi has awarded the Ruler of Sharjah with the Order of the Mother of the Nation medal.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, also Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, described Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi as an “exceptional and inspiring” leader.
In a tweet on Monday, he said Sheikh Dr Sultan had successfully combined the powers of “thought, science and action”.
The two men were at a ceremony hosted by the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Excellence and Community Intelligence Programme.
Recent council elections in Sharjah saw nearly 60 per cent of voters taking part, official figures showed.
More than 26,000 people cast their ballot in last week's vote, electing 25 new members to the consultative chamber.
The high turnout compares with 35 per cent of voters taking part in the Federal National Council elections held across the UAE in October.
Newly elected members of the Sharjah Consultative Council will join a further 25 councillors appointed by Sheikh Dr Sultan.
The SCC oversees the social, cultural and economic development of the emirate. Its members have the power to draft new laws and to hold public officials to account.
