While the tourism potential of Sharjah is yet to be discovered by the world, events like the recently organised Sharjah Light Festival is creating awareness that the emirate on its own has perhaps the most to offer in UAE to the new age global traveller By Sudipta Dev
Just half an hour drive from Dubai is the emirate of Sharjah, which for many travellers is known as the hub for Air Arabia flights rather than as a tourism destination. The government of Sharjah is making concerted efforts to showcase the potential of the emirate as a global tourism destination. With Sharjah being selected as the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015, these efforts will create a lot of awareness in the near future. Sharjah has a rich cultural legacy that is well presented in its 16 museums, along with a grand architectural heritage and many more attractions that could be a great draw for tourists from across the world.
Living legacy
It is evident that Sharjah is a destination that takes great pride in its heritage and culture – the concept might be new, but the true essence of the land is beautifully interwoven in the thematic presentations. So whether it is the spectacular visuals of the Sharjah Light Festival on heritage buildings in the city or the Sharjah Aquarium and Maritime Museum, every tourism attraction presents a flow of continuity from the past to the present. Sharjah could in fact be called a city of museums. The aquarium acquaints visitors with the marine life found in the waters of the region – from the ocean to rock pools and lagoons. It also highlights the life and times of the traditional fishing communities. Located nearby is the Sharjah Maritime Museum that is an interesting showcase of the emirate’s maritime history. The grandest of all is the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, which is housed in an impressive building that complements well the rich repository inside. A visit to the museum is a must and gives an interesting insight into Islam, history of its spread across the world, the art and science associated with it, and many lesser known significant facts that very few people are aware of.
The other 14 museums include Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Sharjah Heritage Museum, Sharjah Science Museum, Sharjah Archeology Museum, Sharjah Classic Cars Museum, Sharjah Discovery Centre, and others.
The emirate also has many mosques – from the large Al Noor Mosque to many smaller ones, where the faithful congregate several times everyday. These mosques in many ways define the skyline of Sharjah – most are beautiful beige coloured structures with large domes and towering minarets. One of the most magnificent is the Al Noor Mosque. It has been inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. As many as 2200 people can pray in this mosque at one time. Inside the mosque, one of the interesting features is a suspended arch with calligraphy. There is a decorative mehrab, with another wooden one in the front, so that the Imam could be closer to the congregation.
Heart of Sharjah is the oldest part of the city where homes built with corals brought from the creek in olden times have been painstakingly restored to give the modern visitor a peep into the life in those times. Adjacent to it is the Souq Al Arsa, which is the oldest market in Sharjah, where you can buy interesting bric a bracs. The Central Souk is another heritage precinct, where tourists can buy gold and souvenirs. It is a perfect place to strike a bargain.
The Cultural Square has five beautiful buildings around it – all perfect examples of modern Islamic architecture. Another architectural highlight of Sharjah is the impressive lineup of buildings at the Sharjah University. The university is a township in itself and a drive through the area is an eye opener to the emergence of the emirate as a premier education hub in the Middle East.
Choice of activities
For those interested in outdoor activities, Sharjah has multiple options as a destination. Topping the list is of course the desert safari. Dune bashing is followed by a falconry show. Falconry has been practised in the region for as many as 2000 years. Bedouins used falcons to hunt for food. They used to catch wild falcons and trained the birds to catch food. From the 70s, after oil was discovered, there has been a ban on hunting. These days falcons are bred in captivity. A visit to the Sharjah Equestrian Centre will bring you up-close with pure bred Arabian horses. The Arabian horse show is an opportunity to witness these magnificent animals in action. Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club has a nine hole flood lit golf course where amateur as well as professional golfers can play in the evenings. The complex also has one of the best paintball parks in the Middle East. Shooting and archery are the other popular activities here. Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club is a perfect location for MICE group activities. Conferencing facilities are also available here.
If the weather is fine or in the evening, a stroll along the Al Majaz water front is a rejuvenating experience. The Sharjah Eye offers an exhilarating birds-eye view of the city. Al Montazah amusement and water park is where families with children can spend a few enjoyable hours. The other important attraction for families is the Arabia’s Wildlife Center which houses animals that are found in the Arabian Peninsula.