Sharjah Islamic Bank is recognised for voluntary work

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has won the 17th Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, the Emirati news agency WAM has reported. This is SIB's 4th time winning the award, which recognises organisations supporting volunteer work.

The bank was also praised for encouraging Emirati youth to volunteer.

Mohamed Abdalla, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank stressed that public and private entities should support society however they can. He said, "As part of the bank’s social responsibility, SIB is always looking to actively support voluntary initiatives, activities and institutions, to better align with the vision and directives of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah."

"There is nothing more satisfying than extending support to those in need. Hence if you have the ability and resources to be of some help to the community, use the opportunity to the fullest," he advised.

Fireworks for Eid at Sharjah's Al Majaz Waterfront

The Al Majaz Waterfront, a major leisure destination in Sharjah, UAE, will mark the start of Eid al-Adha with fireworks.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has reported that three minutes of fireworks will begin at 9pm on the 1st and 2nd days of Eid above the Sharjah Musical Fountain. There will also be other entertainment.

Source: Al Majaz Waterfront website. Fireworks on 

Marwa Obaid Al Shamsi, Manager of the Al Majaz Waterfront, said, "Eid al-Adha is an occasion of joy and celebration for the entire family, especially children. The Al Majaz Waterfront will be celebrating, with all its visitors, an exceptional fireworks display, which is a popular event that residents eagerly wait for every year.

"The Al Majaz Waterfront boasts world-class facilities, green areas and play areas for kids, as well as 16 restaurants and cafés serving international cuisine, which makes it an ideal destination for gatherings with friends and family to enjoy such special occasions."

The Al Majaz Waterfront offers visitors international dining at Sutis (Turkish food), Al Fanar (Emirati cuisine), Pizzaro (Italian eats), TGI Fridays (Western food), Al Rawi (a Western fusion menu) and Lebanese restaurant Zahr El Laymoun, as well as a children’s play area and other facilities. It also hosts a variety of arts and entertainment activities throughout the year, including film screenings, stage shows, and firework displays on New Year’s Eve.

The area also features recreational facilities and artistic activities at the Maraya Art Park, which is a platform for regional and international outdoor art projects. Two sections of the Park are located at Al Majaz Waterfront; the (Sculptures Park) which showcases projects from local and international artists, designers and architects. The Children's Art Park introduces art to children through sculptures, interactive games, and educational activities.

WAM separately shared Brigadier-General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police's announcement that the General Command of Sharjah Police is ready for Eid al-Adha.

Any incidents or misconduct should be reported to the Central Operations Room by calling 901 for non-emergency cases and 999 for emergency cases.

Details:

Get directions to Al Majaz Waterfront

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Sharjah honours Dr Abdul Karim Al Sayed with retrospective exhibition

Source: Sharjah Museums Department. VIPs view exhibits at Lasting Impressions: Abdul Karim Al Sayed. The exhibition was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Chairman of Sharjah Sports Council. The ceremony was attended by HE Abdallah Al Owais, President of the Department of Culture and Information, HE Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, Rihab Saidam, the late artist’s wife, and Alya Al Mulla, Curator of Sharjah Art Museum.

Sharjah Art Museum has opened an exhibition that honours the lifetime career of Dr Abdul Karim Al Sayed (1945-2015), one of Palestine's and Sharjah’s most celebrated artists. Al Sayed played a prominent role in the development of the UAE’s art scene from the 1970s onwards as an artist, published author and art critic.

Lasting Impressions: Abdul Karim Al Sayed features over 92 pieces that represent the long and varied artistic practice of Al Sayed before his passing last year. The exhibition, which runs until December 17, provides a comprehensive insight into the different phases of Al Sayed’s artistic practice. Visitors will be able to appreciate the diversity of techniques and artistic moods of one of the most unique and distinguished artists of the region, as well as take a step into life in Sharjah decades ago.

Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, said: “We are very proud to present an exhibition that has great significance for art enthusiasts in the UAE. Dr Abdul Karim Al Sayed was a prominent figure in the local art scene for many decades as an artist, a writer, a critic and driving force behind several important art institutions that flourish to this day.”

Lasting Impressions: Abdul Karim Al Sayed is a collaboration between Sharjah Museums Department and the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, with the support of the Emirates Fine Arts Society. The exhibition is divided into sections, each focusing on a different phase of Al Sayed’s artistic practice. The pieces vary from brooding interpretations of the Intifada uprising against the Israeli occupation of his Palestinian homeland, to elegant landscapes of life in Sharjah, and heartfelt portraits of his wife.

The first section displays sketches - often made on prescription papers - that connect his profession as a doctor and his lifelong engagement with artistic practice from the early 1970s. Dr Al Sayed graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Baghdad in 1973 and went on to obtain a Radiology Diploma from the University of Vienna in 1982.

The focus in the 1980s turns to his interpretations of the Intifada uprising against the Israeli occupation of his Palestinian homeland, as well as the wider Palestinian political and social cause. It was a period that witnessed the development of his trademark technique of using a palette knife to create bright flashes of light that contrasted sharply with dark backgrounds. During this time, he also explored subjects that are rooted in the human condition.

While continuing to be committed to the Palestinian cause, Dr Al Sayed favoured lighter colour tones in the 1990s. Inspired by his Sharjah surroundings – a place he called his second home - the With Love to Sharjah series includes serene watercolour landscapes of old buildings and the coastline life. His focus on symbols, including the palm tree, was influenced by both Sharjah and his time in Iraq, where he studied at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Baghdad, in the 1970s.

He reflected on the politics of the Palestinian cause, from the Intifada to the peace agreements, through paintings entitled Gaza/Jericho. His series entitled Nature Metamorphosis was born from an attempt to seek relief from political struggles and disappointments. The series Outside the Square displays his shift from the dark colours of the 70s and 80s to a limited selection of lighter tones.

Palestinian Cities, which portrays peaceful scenes in cities including Gaza, Jericho, Akka, and Tabariya. Later in his artistic career, Dr Al Sayed worked for many years on his Sufi-inspired City of Dream collection. It shows Dr Al Sayad’s focus on lines as a key element, with white becoming the dominant colour. This phase was a representation of the political and social situation in the region in general and Palestine in specific, including the demolition of houses in occupied territories. The city scene shown in the paintings can be interpreted as gravestones and existence fading away.

Source: Sharjah Museums Department.

The next section is split into five series of works. Highlights including

Another section divides the decade into seven. Notable series include Rihab, My Love, a collection of portraits of his wife, artist Rihab Saidam. Spring of My Homeland is a continuation of City of Dream, but is a more hopeful portrayal of Palestine with greater use of colour and the poppy flower representing hope for the future. The series Falstenyat depicts the culture and heritage of his homeland.

“Our annual Lasting Impressions series celebrates artists who were influential in the development of art in the region. There are few more deserving of this spotlight than the work of Dr Abdul Karim Al Sayed,” said Ataya. “While Abdul Karim was influenced by various artistic movements, he was an artist who developed his own unique style. I am positive that art enthusiasts will appreciate the diversity of his artworks.”


Al Sayed held his first solo exhibition at the Emirates Fine Arts Society in Sharjah in 1987 and went on to become a founding member of both the Emirates Fine Arts Society and Al Jidar Group. He was also a jury member at many local and Arab events and the writer of numerous art analysis essays and critiques for magazines and newspapers, as well as the author of four books on the UAE art scene.

The previous Lasting Impressions exhibition focused on the work of the Egyptian artist George Bahgory. Running from November to December last year, it included more than 90 works, some dating back to the 1950s, when Bahgory was a student.

Interested?

Lasting Impressions: Abdul Karim Al Sayed runs till December 17, 2016

Rare Ottoman artifacts from Hungary on exhibit in Sharjah

Source: Sharjah Museums Department. The opening ceremony.

Running until January 19, 2017 at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Spectacle and Splendour – Ottoman Masterpieces from the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest features more than 50 spectacular Ottoman artefacts preserved in Hungary since the 16 ^th and 17^th centuries.

The collection of luxury textiles, ceremonial weapons, saddle cloths, silk garments and rugs is being shown in the Arab world for the very first time. At the same time, the exhibition marks the first ever collaboration between the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest - established in 1872 and one of the oldest and most important museums of its kind.

The exhibition was inaugurated by HE Abdallah Al Owais, President of the Department of Culture and Information, Sharjah. The exhibition was attended by Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, Dr Ulrike Al-Khamis Strategic Advisor - Islamic and Middle Eastern Arts Sharjah Museums Department, Dr Viktória Horváth, a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Dr Zsombor Jékely, Deputy Director, Budapest Museum of Applied Arts, and HE Osama Naffa, Ambassador of Hungary to the UAE.

Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, said: “This fascinating exhibition project with the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts yet again underscores our ongoing commitment to establishing ties with the world’s most prestigious institutions to bring exceptional collections to Sharjah and to foster intercultural dialogue through art and culture.

“The exhibition also provides a unique and unprecedented opportunity to learn about a fascinating period in Islamic and European history and to embark on  a journey of discovery into a period of outstanding aesthetic sensibility and remarkable workmanship.”

Spectacle and Spendour captures a particular period in Ottoman and Hungarian history when parts of the country, mainly the central and southern regions, were under Ottoman rule. During this time, it was common among the Hungarian elite to acquire the finest items from Ottoman workshops in order to display their power, authority and sophistication.

Each of the artefacts in the exhibition provides visitors with a gateway into the history of the Ottoman empire and its interaction with Eastern Europe, in particular Hungary and Transylvania. At the same time, they touch on key aspects of Islamic civilisation at large, such as the symbolic importance of textiles and carpets, the exchange of diplomatic gifts, and horsemanship. The rare pieces also offer a window into the powerful and sophisticated lives of Ottoman and Hungarian elites some 500 years ago, as well as giving a unique insight into methods of workmanship perfected by local craftsmen at the time.

Many of the masterpieces on display entered Hungary as early as the 16^th century as tokens of diplomacy, through trade or as war booty.  Some items were made in Hungary itself, the result of skills being transferred between different regions of Ottoman rule.

Highlights of the collection include a silk upper coat made for a young child, probably using the fabric of a Turkish ceremonial robe received as a diplomatic gift. Its intricate floral pattern was popular in the later 16^th century. The cut of the garment displays Turkish influence on Hungarian aristocratic costume of the time, such as the long, narrow ceremonial sleeves reaching down to the bottom of the costume.

A collection of Ottoman ceremonial saddle cloths that were used in both Hungary and Transylvania, which is now part of central Romania provide examples of exceptionally skilled workmanship in decorating velvet and silk satin cloths with intricate silver wire embroidery.

The weapons on display include a gem-studded dagger, most probably made in an imperial Ottoman workshop. Making gifts of ceremonial weapons was a fashionable custom among European rulers as well as Ottoman Turks in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The rare ceremonial maces included in the exhibition are examples of symbols of power and wealth in Hungary and Transylvania around the 17th century. The quality of its material and ornamentation reflected the rank of its owner. The most prestigious are gilded, gem-studded maces, often of Ottoman Turkish origin.

The collection of ornamental rugs includes examples that were originally laid on the hot floors of Turkish baths, but were brought to regions of Hungary including Transylvania to decorate the walls of noble homes. They were also hung in carriages.

“This exhibition is designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, from those interested in Islamic art and culture to contemporary art and design practitioners,” said Ataya. “We hope visitors will be inspired by the aesthetic subtlety of the designs and the way weavers, dyers, embroiderers and metalworkers went about their craft with such skill and dedication.

“We thank our Hungarian colleagues for their outstanding support and commitment in staging this fascinating exhibition in Sharjah and hope that it will contribute positively to intercultural dialogue and an ever deeper appreciation of Islamic art and culture among our visitors.”

Oxford Business Group to present Sharjah economic analysis

Source: OBG.

The Oxford Business Group (OBG) is working on its first report on the Sharjah economy.  

Sharjah has a long history. the Gulf’s first airport was established in Sharjah in 1932, and the emirate’s Port Khalid was the first container port to begin operating in the region. More recently, government-funded economic development programmes, the establishment of two economic free zones and the quickly growing number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have helped underpin the emirate’s growth trajectory, notes the OBG in an online introduction to The Report: Sharjah 2016.

OBG states that the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed its stable outlook for the emirate based on its low debt burden, a well-diversified industrial base and the government’s strong fiscal management in early 2016. The finance sector’s confidence in the emirate has been underscored by the strong investor demand for sukuk launched by the government in 2014 and 2016, it adds.

In late September 2016 the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment forum will seek to highlight investment opportunities in sectors expected to fuel growth moving forward, namely healthcare, environment, tourism, and transport and logistics. 

Sharjah Museum Department shares Ramadhan opening times for its facilities

The Sharjah Museums Department has updated its website for Ramadhan opening hours for the facilities under its purview. A selection are featured here:

Al Eslah School Museum

This museum focuses on the UAE educational system. Highlights from the collections include:

• A shoulder bone of a dead camel, used for writing in the semi-formal education system around 1956.
• An inkwell and a pen from copper made in 1940; they were purchased from India.
• A student’s bag used to carry books, made in 1939.
• A teacher’s bag, made in 1935, from natural raw leather. It was used to carry the teacher’s tools and supplies, such as papers, pens, chalk and other items.

View online collection

Interested?

The museum is opposite Bayt Al Naboodah Museum, next to Arsah Souq in the heart of Sharjah.
Entry is free.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Al Mahatta Museum

This is the site of the first airport in the UAE, built in 1932 and then turned into a museum highlighting the history of flight in the UAE and the surrounding region. Highlights from the collection include:

• Hanno passenger plane - a model of the first plane to land in Al Mahatta airport, in 1932. It was used to transport passengers. 
• Aircraft black box
• Turboprop engine with a propeller: One of six CFM International models of aircraft engines, produced by CFM56-5 Company. This engine was made specifically for the twin-engine Airbus that travels short to medium distances.
• The first cinema in the Arabian Gulf: Sharjah Cinema, the first cinema in the Gulf region, was inaugurated in 1945 in at the original Sharjah airport (Al Mahatta). Cinema-goers used to sit on empty kerosene steel drums half filled with sand.

View the online collection

Interested?

The museum is in the Al Mahatta area, opposite Al Qasimya District in Sharjah, behind The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED5.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi in Kalba

This heritage house in the UAE in Kalba on the east coast of the Arabian Gulf was the residence of Sheikh Saeed and his family. Sheikh Saeed ruled and signed several agreements from within this house which was built between 1898 and 1901 in the Emirati architectural style. Today, Bait Sheikh Saeed houses Islamic collectibles that have significant importance. Some highlights from the collection:

• A rifle decorated with metal plates, given away by His Highness Sheikh / Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Deputy Head of the Office of HH the Ruler of Kalba. Displayed in the Sheikh’s room.
• Alyazrh, an irrigation tool that consists of four pillars made of palm trunks used to support a pulley. It has a leather bucket belted with a rope; a bull pulls the other end of the rope as the farmer walks it up and down the passageway to pull out the bucket after it is filled with water, then turns it over to pour out the water for crop irrigation. 
• Quran manuscript: A complete copy of the Quran inlaid with gold that has been preserved for nearly 700 years. The first edition was published in Beirut in 1982.

View the online collection

Interested?

Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi is near Al Kalba fort, directly on the east coast of the Arabian Gulf, in Kalba. Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED3.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Sharjah Aquarium

Covering an area of 6,500 m², it consists of two floors equipped with 20 aquariums, each filled with approximately 1.8 million litres of water.

Interested?

Sharjah Aquarium is in the Al Khan Old area. Free entry to both Sharjah Aquarium and the Sharjah Maritime Museum for children under 2 years; children aged 2 to 12, AED15; anyone over 13 years, AED25. Family tickets for two adults and 3 children: AED70.

Ramadhan hours:

Monday to Saturday: 9am to 2pm, and 9:30pm to 11:30pm
Friday: 9:30pm to 11:30pm
Sunday: closed

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 10pm
Sunday: closed

Sharjah Archaeology Museum

This museum sheds light on the lifestyle of people in the region from the stone age till the rise of Islam. Highlights from the collection include:

• Ceramic dome (900 to 600 BC) with holes and a statue of a bull; it was probably a censer’s lid. It was discovered at the Muweilah archaeological site, which dates back to the Iron Age. This dome provides a proof of commercial relations with Yemen BC. 
• Golden bridle (150 BC to 200 AD): found buried with the remains of a horse and a camel in Mleiha by a local excavation team. This item represents the wealthy lifestyle some of the Mleiha inhabitants enjoyed during that period.
• Ceramic camel statue (900 to 600 BC): Also found in Muweilah, this item shows man had domesticated camels in 1,000 BC. 
• Ivory comb placed inside an alabaster bowl (2,200 to 2,000 BC): both were found in a cemetery in Tell Abraq. The tulip flower adorning the comb shows that it was made in Central Asia, although the ivory was probably taken from an Indian elephant.

View the online collection

Interested?

This museum is in the Helwan area between the Children Center-Helwan, and Sharjah Science Museum on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Road leading to Sharjah Media Corporation, Sharjah TV. Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED5.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Sharjah Art Museum

Visit one of the largest art exhibitions in the Gulf region, which contains permanent collections of contemporary art from some of the most famous artists in the Middle East, including Abdulqader Al Rais, Louay Kayali, Bashir Sinwar, Faiq Hassan, Mohammed Yusuf and Ismail Fatah Al-Turk. The three-storey museum showcases more than 500 artworks. An Art Library houses over 4,000 titles in Arabic, English and other languages, along with visual and audio materials. Highlights of the collection include:

• Works by Palestinian artist Suleiman Mansour, revolving around the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Paintings by the Iraqi artist Jamil Hamoudi, one of the pioneers of modern Iraqi arts.
• Paintings by the Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsami, entitled Min Wahi Failaka (inspirations from Failaka).

View the online collection

Interested?

The museum is in the Arts Area, Al-Shuwaihiyeen, near Al-Corniche post office - the heart of Sharjah. Free entry.

Ramadhan hours:

Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm, and 9:30pm to 11:30pm
Friday: closed

The museum will also be closed during the evening shift of the last 10 days of Ramadhan.

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 10pm

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum

The house of Hamad Al Midfaa in the Sharjah Heritage Area (heart of Sharjah) has been turned into a museum displaying the evolution of Arabic calligraphy. Highlights from the collection include:

• Three historic paintings in the Kufic style by calligraphers from Al Kufa; these artworks depict the three stages of the emergence of calligraphy with the Kufic script*
• The Al-Hulia Al-sharifa, by Iraqi calligrapher Ziad Al Muhandis and considered the largest in the Islamic world to date at 280 by 300cm. A description of the Messenger of Allah, the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in the Thuluth font in 1420.
• Sixteen katateeb boards, a gift from Sudan. These are used for teaching Quran, Islam, and how to read and write. Two of the boards show a drawing of a mosque, indicating that the students who used them have read the Quran, either partly or wholly.

View the online collection

Interested?

The museum is at Calligraphy Square, in the heart of Sharjah. Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED5.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Sharjah Classic Cars Museum

The Sharjah Classic Cars Museum displays vintage classic cars in addition to classic motorcycles and bicycles. The oldest car showcased in the museum dates back to 1917. Here, visitors will be able to get an up close look at classic car models and their specifications including Rolls Royce, Ford, Mercedes, Chevrolet, Bentley and many others. Highlights from the collection include:

• A 1915 Dodge model, the oldest car in the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum. 
• A 1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman: only 2,677 vehicles were manufactured. This bulletproof car belongs to HH Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Since the seventies, the Mercedes 600 was only made upon request, averaging just 25 cars yearly. The last car was manufactured in 1981. This car has unique specifications, including hydraulic seat adjustment, as well as window and door controls. 
• A 1957 Bedford Model, which was used in the UAE for military purposes. Bedford RL trucks rolled off the production line in 1969. This British-made truck is six-cylinder, and has a maximum speed of over 112 km/h. The last Bedford car was manufactured in 1985.

View the online collection

Interested?

The museum is on Airport Road between the 4th and 5th intersections, next to Sharjah International Airport and opposite Sharjah Discovery Centre. Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED5.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Sharjah Discovery Centre

Sharjah Discovery Centre helps children aged three to 12 years explore science and technology in a safe, colourful environment. In the Water World, children can race in the small boats pool, learn about jellyfish, and design fountains. At the Sharjah Kids International Airport, they can place carry-on baggage under the X-ray device for inspection, and explore famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Big Ben in London. Body World teaches anatomy, and lets children test their strength and reflexes. Build Town, Drive Town, Sports World, TV Studio, Supermarket and the Storyteller Area make up the remaining zones.

Interested?

Sharjah Discovery Centre is along Sharjah Airport Road between interchanges 4 and 5, opposite Sharjah Classic Cars Museum and Sharjah Airport. Free entry to children under two years; children between two and 12, AED5; anyone over 13 years, AED10.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Sharjah Heritage Museum

This museum features the lifestyle, habits and crafts shaped by the diverse environments which Emirati people have lived in, from marine and coastal environments to mountainous and agricultural areas. The museum also highlights authentic Arab hospitality, celebrations, sciences and livelihoods. Highlights from the collection include:

• A rectangular wooden loom used to make pillows, tents and rugs. 
• Aftakh: A golden toe ring worn by women.
• Soieih abaya: A mantle for the head, made of wool and golden yarn.
• Glass baby bottle in a crescent shape, with two teats, one for the day and the other for bedtime.

View the online collection

Interested?

The museum, in Bait Saeed Al Taweel Al Shamsi, is located opposite Al-Arsah souq, next to Bayt Al Naboodah and the theatrical association in the Heart of Sharjah. Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED5.

Ramadhan hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 2pm
Closed on Friday

Opening hours are otherwise:
Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Sharjah Fort

Interested?

Free entry to children under 13 years; anyone over 13 years, AED5.

Ramadhan hours were not listed. Opening hours are:

Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Friday: 4pm to 8pm

The following museums have been closed for restoration:

Bait Al Naboodah, a traditional Emirati house which has been turned into a museum reflecting the lifestyle and values of Emirati ancestors.

Majlis Al Midfa, a meeting place owned by Ibrahim bin Mohammed al Midfa, a prominent intellectual figure who contributed to the cultural development in the UAE, particularly Sharjah.

*According to the Sharjah Museum of Calligraphy, Kufic was known in the third century AH as Kufic al yabis (stiff) as it was written without any dots or nunation, the adding of the 'n' sound to the end of a vowel. Abu al-Aswad Al-Du'ali is credited with inventing a system of placing dots above selected letters of Quran verses to distinguish different consonants. He also replaced nunation with red dots.
 
The difficulty of distinguishing between similar letters such as (ب [b], ت [t], ث [th]) inspired Nasr bin Asim and Yahya bin Ya’amr to invent the ala’ajam (إِعْجَام) in the fifth century AH, the addition of dots to letters in order to differentiate the consonants. 

Khalil ibn Aḥmad Al-Farahidi is credited with the current standard for Arabic diacritics; he replaced the red nunation, used by Al-Du'ali with the Arabic diacritics (short vowel marks) used today. These are the fathah (فَتْحَة), representing an 'ah' sound; dammah (ضَمَّة), an 'oo' sound; maddah (مَدَّة), representing a glottal stop followed by a long 'ah'; kasrah (كَسْرَة), an 'ee' sound; sukun (سُكُون), representing the lack of a vowel to follow; and tanwin (تَنْوِين) for nunation, ending a vowel with an 'n' sound.

Great Women Malaysia launches collaboration platform for female entrepreneurs

Source: Great Women Malaysia. Puan Nadira Yusoff.

Great Women Malaysia today kicked off the Great Women Connect Series, a platform to spark opportunities for women-in-business globally to share ideas and experiences in trading. It also aims to facilitate global partnerships, establishing networks and realising potentials especially for those with intentions and readiness to go outside Malaysia.

Great Women Malaysia (GMW) is an initiative aimed at helping and facilitating Malaysian women in the underserved and rural communities move up the economic and value chain through participation of entrepreneurial or artisanal activities, focusing on fashion and lifestyle industry.

The GWM is part of a larger initiative called ASEAN Great Women, which enables Great Women initiatives from all participating ASEAN countries to collaborate on resources, cultural and ethnic materials, designs, skills and talents, and to develop products that can be commercialised globally. The Great Women development model had its start in the Philippines in 2011, motivated by the need to assist women entrepreneurs to overcome challenges of product sourcing, design, production, packaging and marketing. ASEAN Great Women was launched in 2015 as a regional platform for gender economic empowerment as well as competitive supply-chain integration in ASEAN.

The Great Women Connect Series seeks to develop the women's professional sector locally, regionally and globally in three main areas of economic, professional and social life. It aims to do this through dialogues with local and global initiatives. The series will also mobilise international diplomatic support for the advancement of women in society.

According to Puan Nadira Yusoff, head of Great Women Malaysia, “Empowering women and fully engaging them in the business and economic sectors has become a key global development priority, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where significant gender gap in economic participation persist. Promoting opportunities for both women and men makes good economic sense. It is important that both men and women are able to fully contribute to national and regional economic growth and trade. And this is the reason why we hold today’s interactive session.”

“Women’s SMEs in Malaysia have experienced strong annual growth albeit a relatively low initial level of women’s participation in SMEs. While cultural norms continue to limit women’s role in business, the general business environment in Malaysia is comparatively favourable. Women-in-business needs support from the government as well as from initiatives like us,” she added.

Puan Nadira Yusoff is a thought leader in the Malaysian's entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as CEO at Nadi-Ayu Technologies. She is involved in programmes that are initiated by the ministries in Malaysia, such as 1ASEAN Entrepreneurship Summit (1AES), 1Malaysian Entrepreneurs (1MET), Global Entrepreneurship Movement (GEM), GREAT and many more. She currently leads several NGOs/initiatives namely Great Women Malaysia (GWM), Women Entrepreneurs Network Association (WENA) and Girls in Tech (GIT).

Representatives from the Sharjah Business Women Council of the UAE participated in today's session, including Nada Al Lawati, Founder and CEO of Seed Group International, Huda Al Lawati, Senior Private Equity Professional, most recently Chief Investment Officer for the Abraaj Group in MENA, Sally Denton from Head of Irthi, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (part of NAMA*), Dr Amal Al Ali, Founder of CARDIFF Management Consulting & Training and Assistant Professor in Sharjah University, Ayesha Jasem, Membership and Services Senior Executive of the Sharjah Business Women Council, and Lina Mohammed Hamdan, Senior Manager - Strategy of the Sharjah Business Women Council.

Interested?

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about the launch of GEM in Malaysia and WENA's Vital Voices Mentoring Walk in March 2016

*The NAMA Women Advancement Establishment was set up in the UAE in December 2015. It aims to develop opportunities for women in the economic, professional and social sectors. NAMA Women Advancement Establishment will also organise training, mentorships, provide advice and examine law and legislation concerning women.

Islamic leitmotif for photo exhibition at Sharjah Calligraphy Museum

Source: Heart of
Sharjah website.

From 11 October to 30 November visitors to the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum can enter the world of Islamic motifs from the UAE.

The collection of 60 photographs of Islamic geometric and floral decoration by Emirati photographers Marwan Al Ali and Yusif Harmoudi includes motifs inspired by the mosques and the doors of Islamic architecture in the UAE. It focuss on the interior aesthetic design and consistency of calligraphy/script and the Islamic motifs used to decorate the halls and walls of mosques.

The photographers aim to identify the splendour of calligraphy and artistic and spiritual manifestations using 3D technology. The exhibition is organised by the Sharjah Art Foundation and held in conjunction with the Sharjah Capital of Arab Tourism celebrations.

Interested?

Check out the opening hours
View Yusif Harmoudi's gallery

Sharjah Islamic Bank selects Infosys' Finacle e-banking and mobile banking solutions to enhance customer experience

Infosys, a consulting, technology and outsourcing provider, has announced that Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB), a major shari'ah-compliant bank in the Middle East, has selected its Finacle e-banking and mobile banking solutions to enhance customer service and deliver new channel banking experiences.

With Finacle, SIB will be able to offer its customers a wide range of features for secure account management and aggregation, fund transfer, payment, and financial management.

Sharjah Islamic Bank selected Finacle for its product flexibility, ability to offer a unified platform to serve all customer segments, and for its extensive experience in the Middle East. 

Jassem Al Baloushi, Head, Retail Banking, SIB said, "Sharjah Islamic Bank is committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction. We have undertaken a major transformation programme across functions to deliver new-age banking solutions to our customers. We have selected Infosys Finacle's digital banking solutions to overhaul our channel capabilities. This will help us deliver a superior online and mobile banking experience to our customers."

Michael Reh, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Finacle, Infosys added: "As Islamic banking matures, ensuring superior customer experience and omni-channel access will be critical for growth. Infosys Finacle's digital-channel functionality will put in place a robust platform at Sharjah Islamic Bank that will enable a world-class banking experience for customers."

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah hosts iftar buffets at its Al Bahar restaurant

Source: Coral Beach Resort Sharjah website.

The Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, which recently underwent a complete refurbishment of rooms and facilities, will host an iftar buffet at the Al Bahar Restaurant featuring traditional Arabic and international cuisine, including mixed grills, shawarma, hot and cold mezze like kebbeh, sambosek and fatayer, stews and biryani, besides soups, salads, snacks and traditional Ramadan drinks and juices.

Jean Pierre Simon, Regional General Manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts, said, "Al Bahar restaurant offers the ideal setting for guests to break the fast together. Complete the dining experience with traditional Ramadhan desserts such as ever popular umm Ali and mouhalabia.”

The iftar buffet costs AED115, with a group of 10 persons or more charged at a discounted rate of AED99 per person. The resort also offers a special rate of AED85 per person for private iftars hosted by corporations or families in the ballroom, which can accommodate up to 300 people. Children aged six to 12 years enjoy 50% discount, while a maximum of two children under six years per family can dine free.

Sharjah Islamic Bank celebrates US$500 million sukuk listing on Nasdaq Dubai

Source: Sharjah Islamic Bank. The bell-ringing ceremony, conducted by Mohammed Abdulla, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Islamic Bank, occurred in the presence of His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Secretary General of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) and Chairman of Dubai Financial Market (DFM); Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai; Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Dubai; Ahmed Saad, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Islamic Bank; and Saeed Al Amiri, Head of Investment Group of Sharjah Islamic Bank. 

Mohammed Abdulla, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB), recently rang the opening bell to celebrate the listing of an AED1.84 billion (US$500 million) sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai.

The move supports SIB's expansion plans and maintains Dubai’s expansion as the global capital of the Islamic economy. Sukuk listings on the Emirate’s exchanges now total US$28.96 billion.

Mohammed Abdulla said: “We are delighted to list our sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai as an international listing venue. Nasdaq Dubai gives our listing global visibility from within our own country and the region. We appreciate the exchange’s high regulatory standards and straightforward listing processes. This sukuk listing by SIB, as one of the UAE and the region’s most respected Islamic institutions, underlines the rapid growth of the listed Islamic securities sector.”

The transaction was oversubscribed 7.2 times, to the tune of 120 orders worth US$3.6 billion. The five-year notes were priced at a profit rate of 2.843% or 110 basis points above prevailing five-year mid swaps. Banks and other financial institutions received the lion’s share of the sukuk offering, with 59%, followed by fund managers and hedge funds with 33%, supranationals and central banks with 6%, and others with 2%. 

Around 63% of investors were from the Middle East, 23% from Asia with the remaining 14% from Europe.

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, Secretary General of DIEDC and Chairman of DFM said: “SIB’s listing adds further momentum to the initiative to position Dubai as the global capital of the Islamic economy, launched in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minster and Ruler of Dubai. The depth and breadth of Dubai’s expertise in Islamic capital markets enable the Emirate to provide first class services in all aspects of sukuk activity for regional and international market participants.”

Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai, said: “SIB’s listing underlines the close and mutually beneficial connections that the exchange enjoys with leading Islamic financial institutions. We look forward to welcoming many more regional and international sukuk issuers as the sector continues to expand.”

Global sukuk issuance is expected to remain resilient in 2015 at about US$100 billion to US$120 billion, according to RAM Ratings.

Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Dubai, said: “Nasdaq Dubai is committed to further enhancing its sukuk listing procedures and framework, to ensure streamlined access to the exchange for issuers and ongoing support post-listing. In addition we will introduce new initiatives to meet the needs of market participants.”

Ahmed Saad, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Islamic Bank, said: “SIB is the first UAE based Islamic bank to issue a sukuk in 2006 and since then has been very active in debt capital markets space. In 2011 the bank re-entered the market and issued a stand-alone sukuk for US$400 million and subsequently in 2013 the bank established a US$1.5 billion sukuk programme. Given the overwhelming demand for SIB’s credit globally, the bank was able to tap the market for the US$500 million issuance at a very attractive pricing and geographical mix with strong participation from Europe, Far East and the Middle East.”

“The 2013 sukuk was a major milestone for the bank since it helped position SIB as a key player in the global sukuk space, which enabled us to upsize the programme to a US$3 billion in 2015 and the issuance under which is why we are here today, celebrating listing on Nasdaq Dubai.”

SIB’s US$500 million sukuk listed on the exchange on April 2, 2015. It is the second sukuk to be listed by the bank on Nasdaq Dubai, following a US$500 million listing in April 2013.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization to feature early capitals of Islamic culture

Source: Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization in Sharjah, the UAE, will be hosting an exhibition on early capitals of Islamic culture from 14 October 2014 to 17 January 2015.

Early Capitals of Islamic Culture: The Artistic legacy of Umayyad Damascus and Abbasid Baghdad (650 – 950) will feature objects from the dawn of Islam, charting the transition from pre-Islamic to Islamic cultures which took place under the Umayyad caliphs in Damascus, Syria, and the early Abbasid caliphs in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Samarra. 

At its height, the Umayyad Caliphate, the second of four caliphates to rule the Islamic world after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), was the largest empire in the world. While the Umayyad family came to power before that, the Umayyad regime was founded in 661 by Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, a governor of Syria. Syria was the Umayyads' power base, with Damascus as the capital.

The Umayyads fell to the Abbasids in 750. The Abbasid Caliphate ruled in various cities, but for the longest time in Baghdad. Samarra was its capital from 836 to 892.

Sharjah Ramadan Festival showcases emirate's Islamic culture

The Sharjah Ramadan Festival has highlighted Sharjah’s leading cultural role through its various pavilions, including the Islamic Book Exhibition, Ramadan Majlis, Islamic Heritage Village, Islamic Theatre, Art Bazaar, Spice Route Markets and Sakan Al Nofous.

With the participation of more than 65 international figures and 21 countries, Sharjah Ramadan includes more than 38 Islamic lectures and seminars in addition to seven Ramadhan sessions, four poetry and chanting evenings, six cultural cafes, five theatre performances, 47 art exhibitions and 59 art workshops.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital (SICC) 2014 celebrations, confirmed that the festival comprises numerous activities that mirror the cultural face of Sharjah. 

"I would like to express my deep pride in the beauty of Sharjah’s Islamic architecture, which lends deep spirituality to the emirate’s atmosphere,” added Dr Lana Mamkegh, Jordan's Minister of Culture. 

Praising the first-of-its-kind festival, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Amri, Director of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), said: “Sharjah Ramadan comes as part of the emirate’s celebration of its crowning as the capital of Islamic culture, as well as of the holy month of Ramadhan. It comprises many events that reflect the richness of Arab-Islamic culture and harmonise with Sharjah’s cultural project, whose foundations have been laid by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.”

In addition to organising the Islamic Book Exhibition, with 127 publishers and 42 Mamluk Quran manuscripts, Al Amri noted that SIBF is holding three seminars as part of its contribution to Sharjah Ramadan. The seminars, namely “Undiscovered Islamic Heritage”, “Manuscripts: History and Civilisation” and “Sources of Recorded History”, are bolstered by the participation of experts and researchers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UK, US and Canada.

Sharjah Ramadan also includes the Ramadan Majlis, an annual event held by SMC for the purpose of strengthening social bonds and encouraging exchange of views through sessions that elaborate on different topics.

Osama Samra, Director of SMC, said: “This year’s Ramadan Majlis has been exceptional, given its coincidence with Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital 2014 celebrations. The sessions of the Majlis were carefully planned to reflect the emirate’s vision to promote dialogue, which is an Islamic principle and a mainstay of civilisational communication.

“The Ramadan Majlis has hosted international religious, intellectual and cultural figures as speakers.”

Among the other participants in Sharjah Ramadan is the Sharjah Department of Islamic Affairs, which is organising a variety of Islamic lectures.

Yusuf Hassan Al Hamadi, Head of the Preaching Section at the Sharjah Department of Islamic Affairs, explained: “The close connection between Ramadhan events and the selection of Sharjah, which is a symbol of Islamic culture and famous for disseminating knowledge, as the Islamic culture capital, has required the development of plans that manifest the truth and highlight reality.”

Al Hamadi indicated that the 25 lectures are delivered in multiple languages (Arabic, Urdu, English, Filipino, Chinese and Malabar) to cover the majority of residents in the UAE.

The Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) separately announced that it is staging a mobile exhibition at the Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2014 with contributions from the Sharjah Archeology Museum, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Sharjah Art Museum, the Sharjah Heritage Museum, the Sharjah Maritime Museum, the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum, the Al Mahatta Museum and the Sharjah Science Museum.

Source: Sharjah Museums Department website.

Titled ‘Travel through the land’, the exhibition presents objects from its top museums, chosen to explore mankind’s travels and journeys through time and space, from antiquity to the future, because of the need to survive, to trade, as a religious duty or as a result of mankind’s desire for new discovery and adventure. 

SMD launched a new publication at the Islamic Book Fair, Islamic Textiles from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, on July 7. The publication is the second in a series highlighting masterpieces in the collections of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, for the first time introducing the religious textiles collected by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in a comprehensive and academic way.

According to Arab News, the book highlights the kiswah, the covering of the Ka'abah, as one of the most important Islamic symbols, and features textiles from the 17th century to the 21st that have been created for Islam’s holiest places in the cities of Makkah and Madinah.

A video on the book featured on Geo News can be viewed here.

The exhibition remains open throughout Ramadhan from 8.30pm to 1.30am on weekdays and 8.30pm to 2am on weekends, and will continue through Eid from 5pm to 11pm. Admission to the Sharjah Expo Centre, where the Ramadan Festival is held, is free. 

Sharjah's Coral Beach Resort hosts iftar buffet over Ramadhan

Guests at the Coral Beach Resort – Sharjah will be able to enjoy Arabic specialties at an iftar buffet, available every evening at Al Bahar restaurant from AED115* nett per person. 

Source: HMH Hotels website.

Groups of 10 or more qualify for the group iftar rate of AED99 nett per person, while larger corporate gatherings can be organised in the ballroom which has a capacity of 300, with an additional discount.

For reservations or more information, call +971 6522 9999.

*Children between six and 12 years get 50% discount while those under six years dine free (subject to a maximum of two per family).

Halal Middle East Exhibition & Congress to be held December in Sharjah

The third Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Halal Middle East Exhibition & Congress, from 8 to 10 December at Expo Centre Sharjah, is the only exhibition of its kind in the region. This year, the event will be adding halal pharmaceuticals, halal services, halal ingredients and halal finance to its scope. 

Source: Halal Middle East website.

The Halal Congress Middle East, jointly organised by Expo Centre Sharjah and the Halal Development Council of Pakistan, is an international gathering for food producers, exporters and importers, dealers and distributors and industry stalwarts to share up-to-date information on halal products; discuss issues facing the industry; explore opportunities that exist is each others’ markets; evaluate compliance, certification and standards; and look out for investment and joint venture opportunities in the UAE.

Global attention is on the UAE as the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) is working on unified standards for halal food and cosmetics, which, once approved by the OIC, will be introduced in all Islamic countries in the near future.

The global halal industry is also keenly watching the developments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which had announced that they are considering making it mandatory for all meat imported into the region to carry a halal stamp.

A set of guidelines for halal certification bodies in the UAE is also in the works, apart from a unified code for halal products that is valid for the whole of GCC.

Sharjah Islamic Bank first bank to join NASDAQ Dubai's Murabaha Platform

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) is the first bank to join the NASDAQ Dubai Islamic financing Murabaha Platform since it was officially launched in April.  

Source: NASDAQ Dubai.

Through the NASDAQ Dubai Murabaha Platform, SIB's individual and institutional clients will be able to complete financing transactions within minutes. NASDAQ Dubai said the platform offers an alternative to traditional Islamic financing solutions, many of which can carry a risk of losses through price movements, spreads and poor liquidity as well as delays.

His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Board, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, said: “The NASDAQ Dubai Murabaha Platform is a milestone in achieving the initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop Dubai as the global capital of Islamic economy, under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. SIB’s decision to make use of NASDAQ Dubai’s platform reflects the future vision for the growth of the Islamic finance sector in the UAE.”

Mohamad Abdalla, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Islamic Bank, said: “We are very excited to offer the platform’s services to a wide variety of our clients for a range of purposes, from mortgages and personal finance to funding for corporate growth and expansion. The platform is an excellent fit with SIB’s strategy of enhancing its provision of reliable and efficient Islamic solutions on a cost effective basis to meet the needs for participants.”

Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of NASDAQ Dubai, said: “The NASDAQ Dubai Murabaha Platform bridges best practice international capital markets standards with the specific requirements of shari’ah financing. We have created a reliable and effective facility that provides clients with the confidence that all aspects of their Islamic financing needs are fully catered for.”

More than three billion AED of financing have been processed on the platform for thousands of clients since a pilot phase of the project began in September 2013.

The NASDAQ Dubai Murabaha Platform was set up by NASDAQ Dubai jointly with Emirates Islamic.