H.E Dr Sulaiman Mousa Al Jassim, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, received Ms Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Paris-based Arab World Institute, and her accompanying delegation at the Foundation’s headquarters on Monday, 21 September 2026.
H.E Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Foundation; Dr Fatima Al Sayegh, Member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer; and Ibrahim Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Foundation, were present.
Ms Legendre was accompanied by Mr. Jean-Christophe Paris, Consul General of the French Republic in Dubai and Northern Emirates; Ms Leïla Morghad, Diplomatic Adviser to the President; Mr Antoine AlHeritiere, Cultural and Cooperation Adviser at the French Embassy to the UAE; Mr Saïd Nourine, Director of Alliance Française Dubai; and Ms Clara Esquenet, Cultural Programme Officer.
During the visit, Dr Al Jassim gave the delegation an overview of the Foundation’s work and highlighted the importance of its awards in honouring Arab intellectuals and cultural figures. The delegation toured the Foundation’s facilities, visiting the Sultan Al Owais photography exhibition and exploring aspects of the poet’s traditional business world, whose legacy ultimately evolved into a major cultural institution. The delegation also visited the Foundation’s library, theatre, exhibition hall and other cultural facilities.
Ms Legendre expressed her pleasure at visiting the prominent cultural institution, which has maintained a strong presence for four decades in serving Arab culture and strengthening its standing. She also expressed admiration for the life and legacy of poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, who left a significant mark on Arab culture.
The French delegation then watched a short film about the history and establishment of the Al Owais Cultural Awards. It also held a meeting with members of the Foundation’s General Secretariat and administrative team, during which the two sides discussed prospects for future cooperation between the Arab World Institute and the Al Owais Cultural Foundation.
At the conclusion of the visit, Dr Al Jassim presented Ms Legendre with a commemorative silver coin marking the centenary of poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais (1925–2025). A similar coin was presented to Mr Paris. In turn, Ms Legendre presented the Foundation with a selection of the Arab World Institute’s publications documenting its history and highlighting its most significant activities.
The visit concluded with commemorative photographs of the French delegation with members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
