Sharjah to be 2014 Islamic culture capital

Accolade given in light of Sharjah's "Islamic cultural panorama in the form of a host of cultural and Islamic events".

Sharjah has been named the capital of Islamic culture for 2014 by ministers of culture at an Organisation of Islamic Countries conference in the Azeri capital of Baku. Abdul Rahman Mohammed al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and head of the UAE delegation, spelled out the UAE's vision and stances towards Islamic causes and cultural issues. Mr al Owais said after the announcement that the title "provides a boost to Sharjah cultural development march and comes as a tribute to Sharjah's offer of its Islamic cultural panorama in the form of a host of cultural and Islamic events". ''The new cultural achievement crowned Sharjah for its leading cultural role at local, regional, Arab and international arenas,'' he said.