Kozhikode: Sharja ruler Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasimi arrived at Thiruvananthapuram as part of his official visit to the country.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, ministers including Kadanapally Ramachandran, Kadakampally Surendran,K T Jaleel, Indian envoy to UAE Dr Ahmed Al Banna, Chief Secretary, DGP and other senior officials were present.

It may be recalled that Kerala Chief Minister had invited him during his visit to Sharjah in December last year. He will be in the State for five days. The governor P Sadasivam has arranged a feast for the visiting dignitary.

He will be honoured with D lit by Calicut University. Qasimi will attend functions organised by various institutions in the State capital on September 25 and 26, and later participate in programmes in Kochi on September 27.

Al Qasimi will leave to Sharjah on September 28.