In his inaugural speech, Prof. Hamid stressed the importance of planetariums in the world and their significant role in disseminating space sciences, astronomy, and scientific information in a simplified and interactive way. He also noted the importance of SAASST's Planetarium in hosting the Arab Planetariums Society in its current session. SAASST planetarium has proven to be an essential scientific-educational and tourism attraction in the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world.
In his speech during the announcing ceremony, Mr. Marwan Shweiki, Chairman of the Society's Board of Directors and SAASST's planetarium director, said that the Society's ultimate goal is to gather all scientific expertise of all Arab planetariums. This is to serve the efforts to develop astronomy and space sciences and strengthen the Arab population's understanding of planetariums and their culture. The Society, he added, also urges the establishment of a planetarium in every Arab city to promote astronomical knowledge culture and science among Arab societies.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah inaugurated the SAASST Planetarium in 2015 as the largest one in the Arab world. This planetarium is equipped with the most efficient and modern operating systems, advanced technology, and abundant operational experiences. It can accommodate 200 persons, and one of its systems can display more than 10 million stars. Its seven projectors display the Sun, the Moon, and the five planets visible with the naked eye. These devices provide an interactive and simulated model of the Universe that can be observed at distances extending billions of light-years.
His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, established SAASST as a national development project and a scientific research headquarters to serve and educate the community in space science and be a global leader in space science research. This is to solidify the UAE's position as a scientific center at the regional and global levels. It is achieving these goals through several scientific research laboratories and observatories considered world-class research laboratories with a significant participation from young Emirati nationals.