Sharjah to join Muhammad Ali Compassion Index

February 05, 2026 / 8:19 PM

Sharjah 24: Dr Todd Laursen, Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), announced, on Thursday, the signing of a new partnership between the university and the Muhammad Ali Centre in the United States. The event was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Chairperson of its Board of Trustees. With this agreement, Sharjah becomes the first city outside the United States to join the Centre’s global research network.

In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), a new partnership was formalised between the AUS and the Muhammad Ali Centre marking Sharjah’s inclusion in the centre’s global research network.

The agreement makes Sharjah the first city outside the United States to participate in the Muhammad Ali Compassion Index, a research initiative that measures how compassion is experienced within communities and offers practical guidance on strengthening social cohesion and inclusivity.

The partnership was announced on 5 February 2026 and was described as a major occasion by Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of the AUS, in exclusive remarks. Dr Tod Laursen noted that the collaboration is a reflection of Sharjah's long-standing commitment to values of openness, empathy, and social responsibility.

Originally launched in the United States, the Compassion Index assessed cities based on residents’ lived experiences of compassion within their communities. Beyond measurement, the index provides policy-orientated recommendations aimed at helping cities become more welcoming and supportive environments for all who live there.

As part of the agreement, the AUS will work with the Muhammad Ali Centre to carry out the research programme over the next two years. The research programme will involve conducting on-the-ground studies and community surveys to understand compassion experiences in Sharjah's neighbourhoods and institutions.

The findings will be brought together in a standalone report focused on Sharjah, outlining the results and highlighting areas of strength as well as aspects that can be further developed. The report will be made available to decision-makers and community stakeholders to support future planning and social initiatives.

By joining the Compassion Index, Sharjah is entering an international research framework that places lived experience at the centre of urban development. The partnership reflects the emirate's ongoing efforts to place social values at the heart of education, public life and community engagement.