Sharjah: New projects are set to transform the emirate next year as it takes the title of Islamic Culture Capital of the Arab region 2014.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Head of Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital Executive Committee and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre, highlighted the positive change and challenges the new title will have on the emirate. He said it will push Sharjah towards becoming a key cultural city and put it on the tourism map, not only for the Arab region but also the world. Twenty-four projects are planned in total.
“His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi’s [Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah] main focus for the past several years has been culture and heritage, and being given this title is a good challenge for the emirate to grow even further through its culture and heritage,” said Shaikh Sultan.
Along with the latest revelation of the Dh140 million Al Majaz Island project and amphitheatre, Shaikh Sultan said Sharjah Islamic University (Al Qasimia University) and Sharjah Quranic Gardens will be among the first group of projects set to be completed in 2014.
“Sharjah will have new projects — not only for the occasion — but projects such as Al Qasimia University that we can benefit from in the long term,” he said.
The new Arab Islamic university, which is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2014 to coincide with the Islamic Culture Capital celebrations, will be located in Sharjah University City.
While the university’s headquarters will be in Sharjah, it may have other branches and offices inside and outside the country. The university will include colleges for majors such as media, Islamic finance, Arabic studies, economics, Sharia, engineering and Islamic architecture.
The 2014 celebrations are set to take off with a programme of festivities and shows at the amphitheatre in March with the launch of Al Majaz Island, located in Khalid Lagoon, said Shaikh Sultan. The open theatre, which will accommodate up to 4,500 people, will be the main site for the celebrations and a key venue for future global events.
As for speculation regarding Al Majaz Island being a nature reserve, Shaikh Sultan said this was untrue and it was not a protected area.
He added that the project will include conference rooms, galleries, shops and green areas for visitors to enjoy. Transport to the island will available by car on a bridge between the island and Khalid Lagoon Street, or by boat via a project that will be announced in 2014.
Referring to Sharjah’s mosques, museums, art events and heritage areas as factors that form its cultural identity, Shaikh Sultan said 2014 will see the start of new developments in other aspects of the emirate.
“While Sharjah has been marketing itself as a cultural destination, I think in another five years the emirate will grow in different areas to cater to its growing needs, such as more hotels and better transportation,” he said referring to the rising number of visitors to the emirate.
Looking ahead, Shaikh Sultan highlighted the initial phases of growth in transport, pointing out the UAE train project.
“The UAE train will serve all emirates and especially Sharjah as it has several connections with other areas such as Hamriyah, Khor Fakkan and Kalba,” he said.
An official date for the train’s launch has not yet been decided.