Tears of pride
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi recalled the emotional moment when the Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah was added to the Al Faya UNESCO World Heritage list. The announcement came on July 11 during the World Heritage Committee’s 47th session in Paris. For Sheikha Bodour, it was more than joy—it was a powerful reminder of the UAE’s role in early human history.
A historic recognition
The site, located in Sharjah’s central region, holds one of the world’s longest records of human presence in desert environments, dating back more than 200,000 years. With 18 geological layers, it became the first desert site linked to the Stone Age to be registered on the World Heritage List. This makes the Al Faya UNESCO World Heritage recognition a milestone in understanding human evolution.
Royal heritage
As the daughter of Sharjah’s Ruler, Sheikha Bodour credited her upbringing for instilling values of service, leadership, and respect for tradition. She said her father, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, showed her that true leadership means humility and the courage to do what is right.
Inspiring future generations
Sheikha Bodour believes the inscription is both national pride and a call to action. She hopes young Emirati women will use their heritage as a foundation to lead, innovate, and rise together. For her, success is not measured in numbers but in human impact—students gaining confidence, women leading businesses, and communities finding hope.
