Under the patronage of Sheikh Haitham Bin Saqr Bin Sultan Al Qasimi

Sharjah, March 25, 2009: Sheikh Haitham Bin Saqr Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, today, inaugurated the first Public Relations Forum organized by Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamed Al Qasimi for government bodies and corporations in Sharjah's Eastern region. The forum comes as part of Sharjah Museums Department's commitment to highlight the vital role played by the public relations department in contributing to the success of organisations in the long run.

The two-day Public Relations Forum focuses on enhancing the awareness of the internal and external missions, the activities of the public relations department within organisations and the importance of conducting researches and studies to identify the targeted audiences and the effective ways to deal with them.

Manal Ataya, Director General, Sharjah Museums Department, who received Sheikh Haitham Bin Saqr Al Qasimi to the event, said: "The Public Relations Forum attracts experts working in the field of PR within different government bodies to showcase their experience and exchange views regarding the methodology of public relations and its practical application within organisations. Thus, the forum will contribute to raise the standard of these departments and also shed light on its key role in communication process."

"The importance of public relations has evolved noticeably in modern societies due to scientific and technological advancement and the varied means of communications such as press, television, radio and print. Public relations is the tool that connects organisations and companies with the internal and external audience to spread their message bearing in mind legal, social and ethics within the community."

More than 200 individuals participating in the Public Relations Forum representing government departments and corporations in Sharjah's Eastern region such as Kalba Municipality, Department of Eastern Region Police - Khorfakkan, Dibba Al Husn Municipality, Dibba Al Husn Ladies Club, Khorfakkan Labour office, Kalba Public Works Department, Kalba Hospital, Wadi Al Helw Ladies Club, Sharjah Charity Association, Social Development Centre in Kalba and Labour Office in Kalba.

Located opposite Kalba fort, Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamed Al Qasimi was built sometime between 1898 and 1901 and belonged to one of Kalba's eminent, elder citizens, Sheikh Saeed bin Hamed Al Qassimi. The poetical verse written on one of its walls that reads as presented here depicts Sharjah's rich cultural magnificence.

The Bait Sheikh Said Bin Hamad al Qassimi at Kalba aims to strengthen the link between society and its heritage by preserving and interpreting the history and traditions of the east coast of Sharjah in one of its traditional houses, and to enrich the cultural experience for younger generations. The house was opened as a museum in 1999.

The Sharjah Museums Department, established in 2006 by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, aims to promote the emirate's rich legacy of arts, heritage and culture. For more information on Sharjah Museums Department, please visit the website www.sharjahmuseums.ae.

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About Sharjah Museums Department
The Sharjah Museums Department was established in 2006 by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, as an independent government department that aims to deliver the highest quality of museums for the people of Sharjah and all its visitors, through its facilities, exhibitions, and programmes of learning, research and community outreach.

Sharjah Museums have over 16 sites in Sharjah that cover the arts, Islamic culture, archeology, science, aquariums, heritage and natural history of Sharjah and the region.

For further information, please contact:
Nedal Alasaad/ Nafisa El Marzouki
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: (971 4) 3344550
Email: n.alasaad@asdaa.com, n.marzouki@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2009