History
In a country where history is measured most often in terms of decades, every cultural asset becomes precious. Preserving of past heritage remains essential to cultivating a national identity.
Civilization is much more than simply buildings and infrastructure, it includes beliefs and historical heritage that are linked to a place. Proudly, the Emirate of Sharjah has established itself as a preserver of heritage for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Indeed, in 1998, Sharjah was named the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ by the Unesco, an honor richly deserved. Sharjah has kept the spirit of its history alive by innovatively incorporating tradition into every aspect of contemporary development. The result is a vibrant, modern Emirate that simultaneously looks forward to a bright future as it looks back respectfully to its history. The successful combination of the values of the past with the advantages of modern and technological systems has created a special ethos for Sharjah.
The arts are given great prominence in Sharjah. Theatre, music, painting and sculpture are encouraged, as is literature. A multi-dimensional education system with a wide and varied network of schools and institutions has played a pivotal role in the development of Sharjah. With the educational institutions housed at University City, Sharjah is becoming one of the most important centres of learning in the region. Sharjah’s rich and varied cultural and commercial achievements have a strong and traditional depth to them. This accent on maintaining its roots while enjoying the technology is the life motif which truly distinguishes Sharjah.
Sharjah, meaning ‘rising sun’, dates back more than 5,000 years and appears as early as the second - century AD in a map drawn by the Greek geographer Ptolemy, which indicates the settlement of Sarcoa, where Sharjah can now be found. In 1490AD, Sharjah was mentioned in records written by the famous Arab navigator, Ahmad Ibn Majid, as he navigated the Gulf’s waters.
Earlier livings were made through maritime trade, farming, goat-herding, hunting, pearl-diving and fishing.
Modern Sharjah is built on foundations rich in history and Islamic traditions: Arabian heritage is still recognized with pride and ancient customs are still practiced in everyday life.
Since the discovery of oil, Sharjah has developed from small palm-frond ‘arish’ houses hugging the creeks, to a modern city that extends all the way to the UAE’s East Coast. Modern development took off in the early 1970’s resulting in the rapid expansion of the town and Emirate as a whole.
More than 20 musuems and heritage areas provide the perfect platform to showcase the arts, crafts, traditions and importance of Islam in the lifestyles of the people in this most fascinating of cities. One such museum is the Majlis of Ibrahim Mohammed Al Midfa, home to the UAE’s only round wind tower.
Another is the Sharjah Hisn, the Ruler’s home built in 1820. It was almost completely demolished in the 1970s when the Emirate’s tide of modernity threatened to engulf it, but was saved by the Ruler, HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, who restored it to its former glory.
Around 5,000 years ago when the first settlement of the city began the population was small and people relied on trade, seafaring, farming, hunting and pearling. From the time of the early trading with the East, to the settlement of the mighty Qawassim seafaring tribe and into the first half of the 19th century, Sharjah was the most important port on the lower Arabian Gulf. The first international airport on this coast was established in 1932. The Federation of the UAE was formed in 1971.
