How to discover Sharjah’s cultural side

The name Al Sharjah refers to light and sunrise, and the emirate has been a beacon of knowledge and culture, living up to its name where light is tied with seeking knowledge.

Sharjah served as Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014, but before that, in 1998, Unesco recognised it as the cultural capital of the Arab world.

The emirate has 17 museums, 662 mosques, an annual international book fair, which started in 1982, and the Sharjah Biennial, which began in 1993 and will stage its 12th edition from March 5 to June 5.

There’s always something going on in Sharjah, from exhibitions at its many museums and events at the Sharjah Expo Centre to surprises at the small independent stalls often strewn along the major waterfront sites, including the bustling Al Majaz Waterfront, one of the hosts of the Sharjah World Music Festival, which starts today and runs until January 25.

Busy throughout the day and packed during the evening, Al Majaz Waterfront is located on Al Buhaira Corniche Road (the best way to reach it is by car or taxi). A place that you can visit at any time, it has restaurants and cafes sandwiched between a park and Khalid Lagoon Corniche, and has a 100-metre-high water fountain and a 750-metre jogging track surrounded by palm trees and flower beds. The track has been made out of 6,000 recycled tyres, as part of a green development venture. Every Saturday, there’s the Ripe Food and Craft Market at the main entrance of Al Majaz Waterfront. It’s free to enter and runs from 9am to 2pm.

The heritage heart of Sharjah and its art

The Radisson Blu Resort is within walking distance of the city’s heritage area, making it a good place to base yourself. A traditional hotel, Al Bait Hotel, is set to open this year and is actually in the heritage area, which comprises renovated old homes. For now, there’s the Sharjah Heritage Hostel, in the heritage area, behind Al Zahra Mosque. It offers two-star accommodation, and is quite simple, with a dormitory-style set-up.

As you leave the hotel, walk along the Corniche, passing the architecturally impressive, gold-domed Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Tickets for all Sharjah museums are Dh5for adults and free for children.

This is one of the most-celebrated museums in Sharjah, with special exhibitions from time to time, together with 5,000 exquisite Islamic artefacts, including manuscripts from all over the Islamic world, arranged according to themes, across seven spacious galleries and display areas. From discoveries and inventions to arts and crafts, gold, silver and textile handicrafts, as well as jewellery, coins and dress, visitors are bound to learn something new about the Islamic world.

Original article by Rym Ghazal

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How to discover Sharjah’s cultural side