The city is a center for culture and industry, and alone contributes 7.4% of the GDP of theUnited Arab Emirates.[6] The city covers approximately 235 km2 and has a population of over 1,800,000 (2022–2023).[1] Sharjah has been officially named as a WHOhealthy city.[7] The 2016 edition of QS Best Student Cities ranked Sharjah as the 68th best city in the world to be a university student.[8] Sharjah is regarded as the cultural capital of the UAE,[9][10] and was the Islamic culture capital of 2014[11] and Sharjah World Book Capital for 2019 by UNESCO.[12]
On 1 January 2022, Sharjah made history when its public sector adopted a four-day working week and a three-day weekend, becoming the first government sector in the Gulf region and the entire Middle East to fully adopt a four-day working week.[13]
The origin of the name of Sharjah is unknown, with most common interpretations linking the origin of the word Sharjah to the wordsharq (Arabic:شَرْق,lit.'east') due to the fact that the city is located to the east of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and that Sharjah was the easternmost settlement at the time.[14]
However, other interpretations have disputed the origin of the name based on location, and suggested instead that it refers to the wordshurūq (Arabic:شُروق,lit.'sunrise'). Further theories have linked the name to a pre-Islamic idol calledAbed Al Shareq that transformed intoSharjah. The origin of the word has also been linked to theAndalusi Arabic usage of the word, which was used to refer to a fort.[15]
In 1829, English author and travelerJames Silk Buckingham described Sharjah as such:
"In the course of the night, we had passed the port of Sharjee, on the Arabian coast, which is not an island,Niebuhr's chart, the only one in which it is inserted; but a small town, on a sandy beach, containing from five to six hundred inhabitants. It is situated in lat. 25° 34' north, and lies eleven leagues south-west of a small island, close to the shore, calledJeziret-el-Hamra; and three leagues south-west of Sharjee is Aboo Hayle."[17]
With the approach of the 20th century, Sharjah extended inland to the area now known as Wasit Suburb, the area between the city and Al Dhaid being under the control of the tribes of the interior. With a population of 15,000 inhabitants, Sharjah had some four or five shops inLayyah and a bazaar of around 200 shops in main Sharjah.[18]
In the midst ofWorld War II,Nazi propaganda infiltrated the town. Loud propagating of pro-Hitler speeches could be heard emanating from the Sheikh of Sharjah's palace during a period in 1940, and messages sharing a similar sentiment graffitied on walls in the town center according toBritish intelligence reports at the time, for the messages being propagated by theGermans was one ofanti-imperialism, it found a sympathetic audience among some of the emirate's populace, particularly Abdullah bin Faris, a secretary of the Sheikh who was responsible for the broadcasts. After the Sheikh was confronted by the British, he wrote a letter reaffirming his support for the British war efforts and disputed the charges laid out against bin Faris. Attached to the letter was a petition signed by 48 prominent individuals testifying to bin Faris' character, which, according to the British, had been misrepresented to the signees. The incident resolved after the Sheikh and bin Faris ceased transmitting propaganda and doubled down on their support to the British.[19]
Like the other formerTrucial States, Sharjah's name is known by manystamp collectors because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by theSharjah Post Office shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates. These stamps that were printed in profusion became worthless to collectors and came to be known asDunes.[20] Many of the items featured on these stamps were unrelated to the emirate and therefore many catalogues do not list them.[21]
Sharjah City in the Northwest of the EmirateSharjah City is statistically subdivided into 32 districts. This consists ofSir Abu Nu’ayr island to the Southwest, and theIran-controlled island ofAbu Musa to the Northeast. The map does not show the two latter island districts.
Map all coordinates in "Sharjah" usingOpenStreetMapDownload coordinates asKML
Panoramic view ofDowntown SharjahEye of the Emirates, a 60-metre (200 ft) tallFerris wheel at Al Qasba.[23] Moved to Al Montazah Parks in 2018.[24]Map of Sharjah's districts
Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates afterDubai andAbu Dhabi.[25] The palace of the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, SheikhSultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of the city.
The city of Sharjah overlooks thePersian Gulf and has a population of over 1,600,000 (2022). It includes the main administrative centres of the Government of Sharjah along with commercial, cultural and traditional projects. The city hosts several museums of archaeology, natural history, science, arts, heritage, Islamic art and culture.[26] Distinctive landmarks include two major coveredsouks, reflecting Islamic design, and a number of recreational areas and public parks such as Al Montazah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The city is also acclaimed for its numerous elegant mosques.[27]
Downtown Sharjah or Sharjah City,[28] Al Majaz is a large-scale, mixed-use complex in Sharjah. It serves as the cultural and commercial heart of the emirate. It is characterized by a blend of traditional architecture, modern amenities, and numerous cultural landmarks.
It is one of the older parts of the city. It is a key of commercial and residential hub within the emirate. Situated east of Khalid lake Rolla Sharjah stands out as a prominent community within the city as a historical and significant landmark within the city of Sharjah. The neighborhood derives its name from a historicbanyan tree that once flourished in the area. Rolla is an integral part of theAl Ghuwair development.[29]
Muwaileh Commercial is a Suburb, Community city and residential area in Sharjah, with direct access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Maliah Road. Its a prominent and rapidly developing area in Sharjah. It borders Industrial Area 15 and 17 to the south, and is close to the University City of Sharjah.[30] It also features a diverse range of residential options, consisting of apartment buildings.
It is named after the large rolla (banyan tree) that once stood in the square,[31] which inspired the sculpture at the center of the park, Rolla Square is a common location for people to stroll, unwind and enjoy the tranquil environment during the weekends.[32] Rolla Square Market in Rolla Square is a vital part of the Sharjah shopping experience. Its mix of traditional market vibes where visitors can get their products at affordable prices and a wide range of products makes it a favorite for shoppers looking for deals and unique finds.[33]
Bank street is located near the main area of Rolla, many bank branches and offices are located on the street. The street has an urban park which is unique as local residents were invited to nominate significant urban features — like benches, trees, playgrounds, and signage — from various cities worldwide that hold personal meaning to them, representing anything from remarkable stories to fleeting memories. These objects were selected from the residents' home countries or places they came across during their travels. They were either replicated in exact 1:1 scale or purchased and transported to the designated site.[34][35]
Al Hisn, also known asSharjah Fort was a fortified complex built in 1823 as the headquarters of the then-independent Emirate of Sharjah and the residence of theAl Qasimi family. Its situated in the center of the city, and was closed for renovations from 1996 to 2015, and it reopened its doors as anopen-air museum under the administration of theSharjah Museums Authority.[36] The materials that were used for the building of the fort — ceilings are made out ofchandal (mangrove poles),kumbar (rope),du’un (bound palm branches) andhaseer (palm matts). The walls, with a thickness of 70–80 cm, are plastered with corals, harvested from the Gulf seabed and held in place usingjus – a mortar formed by crushing and burning corals, limestone and shells.[37]
Located between the Blue Souq and Fish Market, near the Union Bank Tower, the floral call to cheer up engraved on the roundabout has given its name to the roundabout itself. "Smile, You're in Sharjah" is a welcome sign, spelled out in flowers in the middle of a roundabout notorious for its rush-hour traffic jams.[38]
Sharjah Central Souq, or Gold Souq (Arabic:سوق,lit.'market'), stands as Sharjah premier shopping destination and comprises a gold souq, clothing souq, and antiques and jewellery shops. It stands out due to its design by British architects Michael Lyle & Partners under the guidance of Sharjah's ruler, H.H Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the building was completed in 1978. Its architecture evokes a grand-scale traditional bazaar. It is situated along the Khalid Lagoon and offers a stunning view of sunset, reflecting its beauty across the water.[39] The Central Souq which is also called the Blue Souq includes around 600 shops and each shop has the unique masterpiece design.[40]
Mahatta Fort, now known as the Al Mahatta Museum, is a museum on the site of the first airport built in the region in 1932 byImperial Airways. The adjacent fort was constructed by then-Ruler of SharjahSultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a rest stop for travelling crew and for protection against any potential attacks.[41][42] The fort and airport were used extensively by theRoyal Air Force duringWorld War II, and after the war the fort became the headquarters of theTrucial Oman Scouts.[43] The airport remained in use up to 1977, whenSharjah International Airport opened. The runway strip was converted into a highway and the buildings were renovated into Al Mahatta Museum, which opened in 2000.[43]
TheHeart of Sharjah is an ongoing[needs update] renovation and preservation project of the former old city center of Sharjah.[44] The project aims to develop the former old city center into anopen-air museum with various smaller museums, galleries and commercial centers. The project is home to a 5-star hotel and the traditional Souk Al Arsa, a covered souk with an array of items for sale, including antiques.[45]
Al-Qasba Canal is a 1-kilometer-long canal that runs through the center of Sharjah. Located along its waterfront are several apartments, shops, and tourist attractions of the Al Qasba community.[46] The theatre in Qasba celebrates different types of cultural events every year. It became more crowded during the festival season.[47]
The Sharjah Heritage Museum is situated near theBait Al Naboodah, directly across from Souq Al Arsah. It is built around a shaded courtyard as a reconstruction of traditional family life. There are many rooms which have display of traditional furniture along with household items including children's costumes, toys, and jewellery.
Sharjah National Park spanning nearly 630,000 sq ft (59,000 m2) is the city's largest green space, offering a wide range of attractions ideal for families which is popular among both locals and tourists, it features amenities such as barbecue areas with picnic tables and grilling stations, a playground with swings and slides under sheltering canopies, and a duck pond. Moreover, visitors can explore cycling tracks and a miniature clay model of Sharjah's landmarks. There is a small mosque for prayers nearby[48]
Since its opening in 2008 Sharjah's Aquarium which is located in Al Layyeh, has become an attraction to adults and children. Managed by the Sharjah Museums Authority, renowned for its educational initiatives, the aquarium features 20 tanks across two floors, housing diverse sea creatures in a sprawling 6,500 square meter space. The Sharjah Underwater Walk is a unique experience at the Sharjah Aquarium which allow visitors to explore marine life closely. Visitors can walk along the aquarium floor while submerged in water, surrounded by a variety of fish and other sea creatures.[49] Ready to explore? Here is everything one should know about this captivating attraction.[50]
Inside Al Noor island with Sharjah skyline in the back
Al Noor Island is located in the KhalidLagoon covering an area of 45,470 m2 (489,400 sq ft). It has been developed by Shurooq to be a state of art culture and a leisure destination that engages people with nature and inspires Sharjah's fast growing tourism sector.[51] The island is accessible via a short boat ride from the mainland and also can reach through the pedestrian bridge that connects it to the mainland. It is designed to offer a serene escape from city life, boasting stunning lighting displays, art sculptures, and a tranquil Literature Pavilion such as the 'OVO' and 'Torus' displays. The island's is intended to convey a peaceful ambience consistent with being a family-friendly destination.[52]
Maryam Island is a beachfront destination that oversees the Arabian sea. It is one of the largest projects in the emirate with an investment of 2.4 billion Dirhams (US$650M).[53] Waterside development is planned to spread across 460,000 m2 (5,000,000 sq ft), with a built-up area of 310,000 m2 (3,300,000 sq ft).[54][55] The Maryam Island development will feature 38 residential buildings with over 35,000 units. This community will offer residents many facilities which includes a 900-metre waterfront promenade, fitness clubs, swimming pools for kids and adults, an indoor garden, 4,000 square metre Maryam Park, jogging tracks, basketball courts, and a playground for children.[56]
The Arabian Wildlife Center opened in 1999 and was home to more than 100 species of animals. Situated at a convenient location, this center was quite close to the Sharjah International Airport. The Sharjah Wildlife Centre has introduced a pair of rare long-eared hedgehogs which is one of the fascinating species at the centre. These hedgehogs are known for their distinctive long ears, which help them detect predators and navigate their environment.[57] Despite the hot and dry conditions in most ofArabia, there were a number ofmammal species who adapted to these conditions.[58] The Breeding Centre for Endangered Wildlife, a sister facility,[59] was a member of theEAZA, likeAl Ain Zoo in theEmirate of Abu Dhabi,[60] but is now closed to the public.[61] The fauna, including theArabian leopard, which are found in themountains in the eastern part of the country,[59] were transferred toAl Hefaiyah Conservation Centre in the eastern area ofKalba.[62] In 2001, The center assistedYemeni zoos inSana'a andTa'izz with the management of their animals.[59]
Al Majaz Waterfront is a leisure area, a waterfront landmark of Sharjah Featuring an audio-video dancing fountain, miniature golf and a number of restaurants. At a distance of 1 km from Blue Souk, 18 km from Sharjah International Airport and 14 km from Dubai International Airport.[63]
In 2023 a redevelopment project was done involving a complete overhaul of the park, including the installation of a new irrigation system, construction of new walking paths, children's play areas, and a parking plot valued around 5.5 million AED which took 6 months to complete.[64] This is the main attractions for family and friends in Sharjah where many activities like waterside destination which includes mini golf, a splash park, a mini-train and many more attractions are available for kids.[65]
Rain Room, an experiential artwork created by Hannes Koch and Florian Ortkrass of Random International in 2012, was permanently installed for the first time in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in 2018. This artwork allows people to visit the installation and walk through a rain downpour without getting wet, as their movement in dark spaces is detected by motion sensors. TheSharjah Art Foundation constructed a purpose-built visitor center located in the city's residential area of Al Majarrah to house the permanent installation ofRain Room.[66][67] The Sharjah Rain Room recycles about 1,200 liters of rainwater during each visit.[68]
Reconstructed in 2015 and launched as a redeveloped arts and community center in 2020,The Flying Saucer, Sharjah is abrutalist building dating back to the 1970s. It was re-opened after a two-year renovation project by the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF).[69] The Flying Saucer building looks like a circular with a dome-like structure on top and its roof is wide, disc-shaped with a smooth and clean finish which is supported by several V shaped columns.[70]
The Sharjah Light Festival is held every year since 2010 in various landmarks around Sharjah. It is a display of lights using projectors and lasers on buildings. Usually, the shows have a small storyline or a theme.[71][72]
In 1997, aSyriac Orthodox church, St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Soonoro Patriarchal Cathedral, was consecrated to accommodate a growing population of Syriac Christians, many of whom are migrant workers fromKerala and southern India.[80]
In March 2021, the Sharjah Investment and Development authorities opened two parks in Al Rahmaniyah,Kshisha and Shaghrafa, built in a total area of 147,700 m2 (1,590,000 sq ft). It included a female-only park, along with entertainment, social, sports and educational facilities.[81] It also includes an artificial pond where visitors can feed the duck. Barbecues are prohibited on the site of the park, so visitors can bring their own food into the park.[82]
In December 2020, Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi inaugurated a library inspired by the originalHouse of Wisdom inBaghdad. The building was designed byFoster and Partners, extending over 12,000 m2 (130,000 sq ft).[83] On the grounds of the library is a large art piece entitled "The Scroll", a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Arabic scrolls, made byGerry Judah. It was made to celebrate theEmirate of Sharjah being named theUNESCO World Book Capital for 2019.[84]
The Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah, UAE, has advanced in its nomination forUNESCO World Heritage status under the “Cultural Landscape” category. Located in Sharjah's Central Region, Faya offers one of the oldest and most continuous records of early human presence in Arabia, dating back over 210,000 years. Recent archaeological studies have shifted the perception of Faya from a mere transit point to a site of repeated human settlement, owing to its favorable conditions such as access to water, flint resources, and natural shelters. Led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the nomination emphasizes Faya's significance as a "living archive" that enhances our understanding of human evolution and resilience. A comprehensive conservation plan for 2024–2030 has been developed to ensure the site's preservation, aligning with UNESCO's standards and reinforcing the UAE's commitment to protecting its ancient cultural landscapes.[85]
Sharjah has a hotdesert climate (Köppen climate classificationBWh), with warm winters and extremely hot summers. The average daytime temperature during the summer ranges between 38 °C (100 °F) to 42 °C (108 °F), and on some days the temperature exceeds 45 °C (113 °F) mainly during the hottest months of July and August. During winter, the average daytime temperature rarely exceeds 30 °C (86 °F). Rainfall is generally light and erratic, and occurs generally from November to July. February and March account for nearly two-third of the year's rainfall.[86]
Development of transportation services in Sharjah is a critical long-term task. Planned by the SPTC since 2008, theSharjah Metro[90][91] will be the third metro system in the UAE after theDubai Metro and theAbu Dhabi Metro. The Sharjah Tram has been planned since 2015,[92] and will be the second tram system in the country after theDubai Tram.
The first international flight in Sharjah landed on 5 October 1932 in theMahatta Fort airstrip as part of a refueling stop onImperial Airways's India–Britain route. The former airport hosted a cinema, hotel, and a restaurant, and would eventually become aRoyal Air Force military base until the UAE's independence in 1971. Mahatta Fort was the main international airport for the city until 1976, when traffic moved toSharjah International Airport.[93]
There are two major series of highways in Sharjah, which are "E" and "S". E represents roads connecting other emirates, and S for roads within the emirate.
The Sharjah Public Transportation Corporation organizes and supervises the operations of taxis in Sharjah Emirate. Sharjah taxi service is provided through franchise companies. They are the major taxi operators in the emirates. If one goes from one emirate to another, taxi drivers will charge 20 dirhams as rent. They cover all parts of the Emirate and cities, including shopping centers, residential areas and airport.
Sharjah Taxi: Sharjah City and Eastern Regions.
Emirates Cab: Sharjah City.
City Taxi: Sharjah City and Eastern Regions.
Union Taxi: Sharjah City.
Advantage Taxi: Sharjah City and Central Regions.[94]
The Sharjah Transport Corporation also provides shared transportation with the purpose of serving certain routes in Sharjah on a fixed rate for each route without using the meter. Sharjah Sharing Taxi routes are carefully selected to support people with low income covering areas with frequent needs for quick transfer within the same location, to ease the traffic situation in Sharjah.[94]
Utility services in the emirate are provided by theSharjah Electricity and Water Authority, which provides electricity, water and LPG connections to about 2 million consumers. They have over 4,000 employees serving areas as far as Dhaid, Kalba and Khorfakkan. Telephone services in the emirate, both fixed lines and mobile services, are provided by the government-ownedEtisalat anddu communication.[95][96]
UAE culture mainly revolves around the religion ofIslam and traditionalArab culture. The influence of Islamic and Arabic culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle are very prominent. Five times a day, Muslims are called to prayer from theminarets of mosques, which are spread across the country. Since 2006, the weekend has been Friday and Saturday, as a compromise between Friday's holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of Saturday and Sunday.[97]
The sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the emirate without an alcohol license and alcohol is not served in hotels, restaurants or other outlets in Sharjah. This has helped Sharjah increase the number of Islamic tourists who visit the country.[98] Sharjah was designated the 2019World Book Capital byUNESCO.[99]
A cultural heritage project,Heart of Sharjah, has been undertaken to preserve and restore the old town of Sharjah and return it to its 1950s glory. A five-phase project intended for completion in 2025, the project is being undertaken by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, together with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, the Sharjah Museums Department, and theSharjah Art Foundation.[100]
Sharjah is the headquarters ofAir Arabia, the first low-cost airline in the Middle East, which operates to the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Its headquarters are located in the Sharjah Freight Center, on the property of theSharjah International Airport.[101][102]
The Sharjah Airport InternationalFree Zone, popularly known as "SAIF Zone", is one of the prominent free-trade zones in the UAE. More than 6000 companies operate from SAIF Zone. The cost of setting up business in Sharjah is less than in any other emirates of the UAE, and the focus of industrialization (Sharjah Industrial area) has in recent years turned Sharjah into a commercial center.[citation needed] Thanks to its 100% foreign ownership and exemption from income and corporate taxes, SAIF Zone has attracted investors from more than 90 countries.[103] This led to a business friendly atmosphere leading to a 6.5 percent surge, reaching approximately AED 145.2 billion in 2023, compared to 136.4 billion in 2022, which marked a 4.9 percent growth from 2021.[104]
According to the 2022 census, the total population of the emirate was 1.8 million, with 1.6 million of them residing in the city of Sharjah. Of the 1.8 million total population of the emirate, 208,000 were Emirati citizens, and the remainder were expatriates.[1]
Like the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official and national language of the emirate and is used in all official capacities. However, all traffic signs, information posts, and government press releases are also written in English.[105] South Asian languages such as Tamil, Hindi, Odia, Urdu, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali etc are spoken widely by the residents of emirate. Russian is also used by the Russian and Central Asian community. Islam is the predominant religion in the emirate.
In addition to the UAE federal laws which criminalize homosexuality, the penal code in Sharjah actively discriminates against LGBTQ individuals. For example, Article 176 of the Sharjah Penal Code (1970) punishes "unnatural crimes (Sodomy)"—defined as "sexual intercourse with another person in contravention of the laws of nature" or "allowing a male to have intercourse with them in contravention of the laws of nature"—with imprisonment up to 10 years. Article 181 establishes that "sexual intercourse" is deemed to have occurred once the sexual organ has entered in the slightest degree, regardless of whether that entry is accompanied by secretion of semen.[106]See alsoLGBT people and Islam
Healthcare in Sharjah can be divided into two different sectors, Public and Private. Public hospitals in the emirates are administered by the government of Sharjah through the Ministry of Health. The emirate also has 9 public medical centers to provide primary health care services.
^Alhammadi, Muna M.; òHammādī, Muná (2013).Britain and the administration of the Trucial States, 1947–1965. The emirates center for strategic studies and research. Markaz al-Imārāt lil-Dirāsāt wa-al-Buòhūth al-Istirātījīyah, Markaz al-Imarat li-d-Dirasat wa-'l-Buhut al-Istratigiya. Abu Dhabi: Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.ISBN978-9948-14-638-4.
^Brock, Sebastian (2010). "The Syrian Orthodox Church in the modern Middle East". In O'Mahony, Anthony (ed.).Eastern Christianity in the Modern Middle East. London: Taylor & Francis Group. p. 23.
^Curtis, John; Dickson, Anna; Loft, Philip; Mills, Claire; Rajendralal, Reshma (9 February 2022)."LGBT+ rights and issues in the Middle East"(PDF).parliament.uk.Archived(PDF) from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved30 August 2022.
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