UAE | Heritage and Culture

Early souqs pass the test of time

Long before shopping centres sprang up around the city, souqs were the main gathering points for residents who enjoyed catching up on the local gossip while going about their shopping.

  • By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:27 October 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Residents would walk through its narrow lanes to buy their spices and herbs, clothes and basic necessities that were arranged in individual clusters.
  • Image Credit: Asghar Khan/Gulf News
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Sharjah: Long before shopping centres sprang up around the city, souqs were the main gathering points for residents who enjoyed catching up on the local gossip while going about their shopping.

Among the early souqs in Sharjah is the Souq Al Arsah, considered the oldest in the country. Residents would walk through its narrow lanes to buy their spices and herbs, clothes and basic necessities that were arranged in individual clusters.

The modern souqs have established themselves by incorporating the homely feeling of the traditional shops with modern air conditioning and escalators.

The Blue Souq (Souq Al Markazi or Central Souq) is another interesting shopping destination containing about 600 shops in two wings.

One of the most famous shopping destinations in the 1980s was the Souq Al Majarrah, and visitors were attracted in large numbers to admire its extravagant architectural designs. Built in 1987, it quickly became a popular landmark for both the residents of Sharjah and tourists.

It is located on the Sharjah Creek, and anyone can still easily spot its central gold dome.

The building was also the second souq in Sharjah to feature traditional Islamic design - the first being the Central Souq that was built in 1977.

The Souq Al Majarrah was the first of its kind in the region with architecture that has Islamic, Arabic and traditional designs, as well as its central gold dome that is an easily identified landmark.

Walking underneath the dome and through the shops, visitors can view a mosaic pattern depicting the night sky and the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Browsing through its more than 50 shops, visitors will find items ranging from souvenirs, clock radios, shoes and traditional fashions.

After standing for more than 20 years in Sharjah, the building of the Souq Al Majarrah proudly remains, although it is no longer a home for shops. This year, the building was renovated and converted into the Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

Ancient artefacts

The Islamic museum has become the 20th museum in the emirate and aims to appeal to people of all ages and interests, according to Aisha Deemas, curator of the Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

The Islamic Museum is devoted to Islamic Art, which displays more than 5,000 artefacts from ceramics to metalwork, glass and arts dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries AD.

A Holy Quran manuscript made in Turkey in AD 1867 is one of the most interesting exhibits in the museum, an illuminated manuscript with ornamental motifs decorating the margins.

So if you want to get away from the blaring horns and the snail-paced traffic, the famous spot on the Creek continues to be an eye-opener for everyone.

Opening Hours:

- Saturday to Thursday 8 am - 8pm

- Friday 4pm- 8 pm

Ticket Price:

- Adult Dh5

- Family Dh10

- Children Free

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