Sharjah: Sharjah residents celebrated late into the night with colourful car parades around the Buheira Corniche on the eve of the UAE's 40th National Day when blaring horns could be heard until 2am.
Many headed to the 30-year-old Qahwa Sha'abiya (traditional café) for cups of Arabic coffee and generous helpings of Khabees, an Emirati dessert made of rice flour and sugar.
This landmark café, which started in the Old Souk before moving to the Corniche, is made in the shape of a traditional Emirati home out of sea stone and white concrete.
People celebrated with popular Emirati meals including Harees, Biryani, Bajla (beans) and Nakhi (chickpeas) and watched fireworks.
"Our clients increase four-fold on National Day. They come to hang out, eat, drink and watch the fireworks," said café manager Abdullah Mohammad.
Hundreds of people of all nationalities went to Al Majaz to stroll around the park and picnic with their families by the lagoon.
Traffic choked the Corniche as cars decked out in flags and images of the UAE leaders slowed down to circle the lagoon in a parade.
Safety warnings
Children hanging out of windows were given safety warnings by police positioned at regular intervals.
"There are police patrols for safety and to monitor public behaviour when the car parades begin to increase after sundown," one officer said. Late in the afternoon no accidents had been reported.
"There is joy and a holiday mood so people stay out for a long time… the security situation is stable and under control," a paramedic said.
Traditional dances from the UAE, Jordan, Korea and other cultures could be seen near the Al Qasba canal.
Henna and face painting was on offer and visitors were treated to traditional Emirati food.
Fireworks lit the night sky in Buheira and Al Qasba, where an illuminated Spirit of the Union logo was a highlight.
