THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sharjah ruler and UAE Supreme Council member Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasimi arrived here on Sunday for a four-day visit to the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan received the ruler at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Ministers Kadakampally Surendran, K K Shailaja, Kadannappally Ramachandran, K T Jaleel, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V K Prasanth, UAE Ambassador to India Ahmed Al Banna and UAE consul general Jamal Hussain Al Sabi were among those who welcomed him. After his arrival, he was given a guard of honour. This is the Sharjah ruler’s first visit to the state. Pinarayi had personally invited the Sheikh during his recent visit to the UAE.
On Monday, Qasimi will call on Governor P Sathasivam, and meet with the Chief Minister and other ministers at the Raj Bhavan. This will be followed by a luncheon hosted by the Governor. In the evening, he will attend a cultural programme at Leela Raviz, Kovalam, and a dinner party hosted here by the Chief Minister. On September 26,
Qasimi will meet the Chief Minister at Cliff House. He will then attend the Calicut University convocation programme at 11.15 am. Education Minister C Raveendranath is also hosting a luncheon in his honour at Leela Raviz. The Sharjah ruler will attend functions in Kochi on Wednesday before his departure on Thursday.