HH the Ruler of Sharjah Attends Opening Ceremony of...

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended Monday evening (February 8) the opening ceremony of the 7th International Scout Gathering, Sharjah 2016. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Scouts Commission and the UAE Scouts Association, in collaboration with the Arab Scouts Organisation and the World Scout Bureau, are organising the 7th International Scout Gathering under the slogan of Scouting and National Tourism'.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended Monday evening (February 8) the opening ceremony of the 7th International Scout Gathering, Sharjah 2016. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Scouts Commission and the UAE Scouts Association, in collaboration with the Arab Scouts Organisation and the World Scout Bureau, are organising the 7th International Scout Gathering under the slogan of Scouting and National Tourism'.

Earlier, the spectacular opening ceremony of the 7th International Scout Gathering began with the singing of the UAE national anthem. On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi was honoured by the World Scout Bureau for his lifelong humanitarian services and contribution to the Scout movement in the UAE and the region with the prestigious Bronze Wolf Award. The Bronze Wolf Award is bestowed on individuals to acknowledge outstanding service to the World Scout Movement. Later, HH Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi went around to inspect the sub camps and was briefed about the various community activities and services of the Scout movement.

Colonel Abdullah Saeed Al Suwaidi, general supervisor of the organising committee, welcomed HH Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and other guests. Addressing HH the Ruler of Sharjah, Col Al Suwaidi said: It pleases me to extend to Your Highness my sincere appreciation and gratitude for attending and patronising the opening ceremony of the 7th International Scout Gathering, which brings together 114 Rovers representing 86 Scout Associations from all Scout Regions around the world.

Lauding the initiative of the International Scout Gathering, he said: The idea of international scout meetings emanated from Your Highness's vision to bring young scouts together in a gathering that builds fraternal ties and supports exchange of knowledge and expertise, thereby achieving the objectives of the global scout movement, including the revitalisation of national tourism.

Celebrating the slogan of Scouting and National Tourism', the event is in tune with the selection of Sharjah as the Capital of Arab Tourism, said Colonel Al Suwaidi. Addressing HH the Ruler of Sharjah, he said: Your scout sons have translated the slogan of this gathering by visiting various landmarks and archaeological sites in the UAE in general and in Sharjah in particular and by enjoying the sand dunes of Maliha site.

In his speech on the occasion, Dr Atef Abdul Majid, Secretary General of Arab Scout Association, said that he was immensely pleased to see the colourful blend of young scouts from around the world in all their diversity. Dr. Atef Abdul Majid congratulated HH the Ruler of Sharjah on receiving the coveted Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA) a couple of days ago for his steadfast support to the cause of Scout Movement in the UAE and the region and their activities that promote brotherhood and better relations between peoples and cultures. The Baden-Powell Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scout and Guide Movement.

Speaking on the occasion, David Owen from Canada, one of the delegates and Rovers, expressed his happiness about taking part in this gathering, which he described as a great opportunity to meet scout leaders from all over the globe. He underscored the importance of such events in strengthening ties of friendship and brotherhood among the participants from around the world, while building their skills and encouraging them to familiarise themselves with other cultures.

I believe that the scouts represent a fraternity that promotes humanitarian work in the spirit of helping fellow beings. Therefore, we are very delighted to be part of this gathering and truly appreciate the opportunity you have given us to get to meet people from other cultures and earn new friendships, he added.

Established in Sharjah in 1954, the Scouts of the UAE are present in every emirate, with members from all walks of life. Today, there are thousands of Scouts of all ages, from four-year-old members to adults, in the UAE. Besides activities such as camping, scouts are dedicated volunteers who clean up beaches, run social responsibility awareness campaigns, visit the elderly and participate in national events.

LINK:	http://www.sharjahmedia.ae/en/media-centre/news/8/2/2016/hh-the-ruler-...
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