Sharjah Ruler visits Muscat International Book Fair and signs his latest work: The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE

MUSCAT, Oman--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 24, 2025--

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, visited the 29th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair, held under the theme "Cultural Diversity: A Treasure of Civilisations", at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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During his visit, on Thursday, His Highness signed his most recent historical publication, The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE, published by Al Qasimi Publications.

Accompanying Delegation and Dignitaries

The Ruler of Sharjah was accompanied by a distinguished delegation including: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, His Excellency Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, His Excellency Mohammed bin Nekhaira Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality, Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, along with several senior officials.

Visit to Al Sharqiyah North Pavilion

During his tour, His Highness stopped by the pavilion of Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, the Guest of Honour at this year's fair. Governor Mahmoud bin Yahya Al Dhahli provided an overview of the region's participation and the cultural traditions and heritage showcased. His Highness also viewed a video presentation highlighting the natural landscapes and diverse topography of the governorate.

In appreciation, Sharjah Ruler received a commemorative sculpture titled “The Doorstep”, inspired by Omani architecture, along with various gifts, publications, and mementos from participating institutions in recognition of his visit.

Touring the Fair and Engaging with Cultural Institutions

His Highness toured the halls of the fair, which features 674 publishing houses from 35 countries. He was introduced to exhibits by the Oman News Agency, the Omani Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and the National Records and Archives Authority. During his visit, he also engaged in conversations with prominent intellectuals, writers, and scholars participating in the fair.

About the Book: The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE

The newly launched work is a monumental 21-volume historical series published in both Arabic and English. Each volume ranges from 400 to 600 pages, with the complete set totaling over 10,500 pages. Together, the volumes include 1,138 original documents—letters, reports, and complete manuscripts—sourced from archival centres around the world.

The content is organised chronologically, with each volume presenting events that occurred year by year in the form of annual chronicles. At the end of each volume, readers will find a comprehensive index for research, as well as detailed footnotes and references accompanying the documents. Beyond letters and reports, the series includes full texts of rare books and previously unpublished manuscripts by Portuguese authors.

A Priceless Historical Record

The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman is an invaluable historical treasure, documenting critical events that unfolded in the Sea of Oman over a 260-year period. The series captures the era when Portuguese fleets navigated their way to India, detailing every significant event and battle that took place during this formative time.

This comprehensive chronicle sheds light on historical truths revealed for the first time, backed by meticulous scholarly research and well-documented evidence. Through persistent efforts and unwavering dedication, His Highness successfully completed this exceptional academic and historical undertaking.

A Unique Research Methodology

In this rare historical compilation, His Highness adopted a unique and rigorous research approach. He amassed an extensive collection of Portuguese, Dutch, and British manuscripts. The archival material underwent several stages: it was first sorted by year, and then translated from Old Portuguese to Modern Portuguese, and subsequently to English and Arabic.

A Journey Through Time

The series “The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE” takes the reader on a historical journey, revealing events as recorded in Portuguese letters, reports, and literary works. It provides invaluable insight into the political, economic, and social conditions that shaped the Sea of Oman and its surrounding regions during this pivotal era in world history.

Source:AETOSWire

Sharjah Ruler visits Muscat International Book Fair and signs his latest work The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE (Photo: AETOSWire)

Sharjah Ruler visits Muscat International Book Fair and signs his latest work The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE (Photo: AETOSWire)

Sharjah Ruler visits Muscat International Book Fair and signs his latest work The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman Annals of History 1497 CE - 1757 CE (Photo: AETOSWire)

ROME (AP) — Jannik Sinner has gone all the way to the final in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban.

And Carlos Alcaraz is waiting for him in the Italian Open title match.

The top-ranked Sinner rallied past No. 12 Tommy Paul 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the semifinals on Friday as he attempts to become the first Italian man to lift the Rome trophy since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Earlier, Alcaraz advanced to his first Rome final by beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Sunday’s final will mark the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since October, when Alcaraz won the China Open final in a third-set tiebreaker. Alcaraz holds a 6-4 edge in his career meetings with Sinner and has won three straight against his biggest rival.

But Sinner has not lost since that defeat to Alcaraz in Beijing and is on a 26-match winning streak. He’s playing his first tournament since he won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

“He’s playing great. I’ve been watching his matches,” Alcaraz said. “His level is really high right now. Every time that I play against him is always a battle, always really, really tough. I kind of enjoy (those) moments.”

Sinner cranked up his level to near perfection in a rout of Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Against Paul, Sinner made unforced errors in the first set while his American opponent hit shot after shot on the lines. But Sinner quickly turned the match around.

“Everybody saw the game against Casper,” Alcaraz said. “It’s a huge level.”

Sinner is the first Italian man in the Rome final since Panatta lost the 1978 title match to Bjorn Borg, and Alcaraz noted that playing Sinner before his home crowd will be “even more challenging.”

Sinner's fans have been out in full force for all of his matches, many of them wearing wigs and hats in orange — his theme color. One fan held aloft a sign during the semifinal that translated from Italian to, “Sinner, we missed you.”

In February, Sinner agreed to a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency that raised questions, since the three-month suspension conveniently allowed him not to miss any Grand Slams and come back at his home tournament.

Rome is the last big warmup before the French Open starts on May 25.

It’s the third final in three clay-court events this season for Alcaraz, who won the Monte Carlo Masters and finished runner-up in the Barcelona Open. He withdrew from the Madrid Open because of injury.

The third-ranked Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid tournament with an upper right leg issue and also had a left leg injury. In Rome, he has been wearing a long black brace covering the upper portion of his right leg stretching down to just below his knee.

Musetti took the first set off Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final but Alcaraz broke the Italian’s serve in the first game of the rematch to silence the pro-Musetti crowd on Campo Centrale. Musetti didn’t help himself with unforced errors and began pushing Alcaraz only at the end of the set.

Musetti was docked a point for misbehavior late in the second set after receiving a warning earlier for breaking his racket.

On a windy day at the Foro Italico, Alcaraz said it wasn’t about playing “brilliant,” but rather “smart tennis” was required.

“Waiting for your chances to play aggressive, so I think I did it pretty well,” Alcaraz said. “I stayed strong mentally when things didn’t went to my side.”

Alcaraz is playing the Italian Open for the second time. During his Rome debut last year, he lost to then-135th-ranked Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the third round.

The women’s final on Saturday features Coco Gauff against Jasmine Paolini.

Paolini and partner Sara Errani also advanced to the women’s doubles final when they beat Russian pair Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-4 in a rematch of last year’s Olympic final also won by the Italians.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Jannik Sinner fans wait for the start of the semifinal tennis match against Tommy Paul, of the United States, at the Italian Open, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Italy's Jannik Sinner stands on the court during his semifinal tennis match against Tommy Paul, of the United States, at the Italian Open, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the semifinal tennis match against taly's Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti during their semifinal tennis match at the Italian Open, at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti returns the ball to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during their semifinal tennis match at the Italian Open, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz walks on the court during the semifinal tennis match against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti returns the ball to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during their semifinal tennis match at the Italian Open, at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti during their semifinal tennis match at the Italian Open, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti during their semifinal tennis match at the Italian Open, at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)