Karl WP Beyer The Emirate of Sharjah (German spelling "Schardscha") ranks third in terms of area among the seven United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dubai International Airport is just over a ten-minute taxi ride from the center of the capital Sharjah. The emirate is a culturally rich country with a long history and a thriving economy that is not dependent on oil. In the shadow of the neighboring, "shiny" emirate of Dubai, it has risen to become an interesting tourist destination where Arab culture and tradition are vigorously cultivated. Sharjah is considered to be the most conservative of the United Arab Emirates.
Sharjah – the first impression
Sharjah - View of the Central Mosque
History in a nutshell
Sharjah's history goes back several millennia. The region was originally an important trading port and pearl fishing center. No wonder that former colonial powers such as Portugal, the Netherlands and Great Britain sought influence in the region. The emirate has been ruled by the Al Qasimi family since the 18th century. The mini-state was a founding member of the United Arab Emirates, which was founded at the end of 1971.
Sharjah - Fort Al Hisn - a historical legacy
Sharjah's position within the United Arab Emirates
Although it is not as well known as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Sharjah plays an important role in regional politics and culture. The emirate claims key positions in the UAE's political and economic union.
Sharjah's political system is a constitutional monarchy. Politics is shaped by the current ruler, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi. The Emir, who holds two doctorates in England, promotes education, culture and social structures. He founded educational institutions and cultural institutions.
Sharjah - Sharjah Public Library at Cultural Square
Culture and sciences
The capital, Sharjah City, was UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998. She also regularly arranges cultural events, festivals and art exhibitions.
Sharjah has a large number of museums, officially reported at 20, dedicated to the region's art, culture, history, science and maritime heritage. From our point of view, notable museums are the Sharjah Art Museum and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.
Sharjah - Museum of Islamic Civilization
When it comes to cultural events, the emirate hosts events such as the Sharjah Light Festival, the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Sharjah Biennale. The latter is an exhibition of contemporary art that takes place every two years. Each of the festivals mentioned attracts artists and cultural workers from all over the world.
School institutions and universities
Sharjah offers a wide range of educational opportunities for adolescents. There are both public and private schools. The educational institutions offer different curricula such as the British, American and International Baccalaureate programs. – The University of Sharjah offers a wide range of courses in various disciplines. There are also additional technical colleges.
Economy
Sharjah has and maintains a diversified economy characterized by the commercial, manufacturing, education and media sectors. Sharjah is less dependent on oil than some neighboring emirates. The country benefits from its free trade zones and its large container port. Sharjah is also important for the regional real estate industry.
Sharjah - Central Souk
Tourism
Tourism is becoming increasingly important. The current website “visitsharjah.com” speaks of 106 hotels and similar facilities in this context. The combination of traditional construction, city-friendly architecture and modern amenities makes it an attractive destination for guests from all over the world during the European winter months.
Sharjah - Corniche, Mosque and Radisson Hotel
Sharjah - Skyline
Another attraction for tourists are the emirate's beaches. Holidaymakers are offered a variety of water sports. The coastal town of Khor Fakkan and the Kalba Nature Reserve are additional highlights.
Sharjah is a unique blend of tradition and modernity. This makes it significantly different from the neighboring and much better known emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Sharjah for cruise ship guests
The Emirate of Sharjah is not a destination for cruise ships. This is surprising, especially since it has access to the sea via the container port. The fact that Sharjah is not visited by cruise ships is not a problem, however. From Dubai's south-western cruise terminal Mina Rashid, visitors travel approximately 20 kilometers to the center of Sharjah City. We report on what they see and experience there at Sharjah – Attractions.
January 2025