New tourist attractions in Sharjah's Kalba: New mosque, kayak lake, heritage museum

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, approved on Tuesday, during his visit to the city of Kalba, the detailed plans for the Kalba Heritage Museum. The two-storey building, which will sit on a total area of 32,000 square metres, is set to house exhibition halls designated for various activities representing all heritage environments, as well as cultural, social and artistic activities.

The Kalba Heritage Museum is a cultural, heritage and tourist landmark that will be counted among the pioneering cultural projects implemented by Sharjah, under the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah.

The Kalba Heritage Museum, to be located on the beach of Kalba, opposite the heritage area of Khor Kalba, will feature three sails of varying heights representing the sailing ship, and will provide many educational and recreational services and external services such as parking lots and gardens.

Sheikh Sultan on Tuesday also opened the Al Qalaa Neighbourhood Mosque in Kalba. Sheikh Sultan was briefed about the mosque's features, its grandeur, its location, and the amenities available to worshippers, as well as how to get to and from the mosque. He also learned about its proximity to a number of major attractions in the area, including the Heritage Mosque Square and Khor Kalba Fort, which makes it an ideal location for a significant number of worshippers.

The mosque, which was constructed in the magnificent Islamic style, occupies an area of 10,393 square feet with a 16.6 metre-high dome. The men's prayer hall has a capacity of 790, the women's prayer hall has a capacity of 90, and the outer hallway has a capacity of 200 attendees.

While there, Sheikh Sultan attended a religious sermon organised by the Department of Islamic Affairs on the importance of worship and mosques in Islam, and how they help people get closer to God through prayers, reading the Holy Qur'an, and religious lessons and lectures.

Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Ruler's Office in Kalba City; Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Head of the Initiatives Implementation Authority (Mubadara); Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department; and Abdullah Khalifa Al Sabousi, Head of the Sharjah Islamic Affairs Department, were among those present, along with a number of regional officials and notables.

Sheikh Sultan on Tuesday also visited Al Hafiya Rest Area in Kalba. The second phase will include the construction of a mosque that can accommodate 375 male and 70 female worshippers, as well as a cafeteria for 175 people, with a fantastic view of the lake surface and the surrounding mountains and green areas. Sheikh Sultan was accompanied by Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Ruler's Office in Kalba City; Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Head of the Initiatives Implementation Authority (Mubadara); Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department, and a number of officials.

With mountains on all sides, the Al Hafiya Rest Area will be a great place for families to enjoy time together and an ideal spot for mountain sports enthusiasts. The area's service facilities will offer stunning views of the lake and the green spaces around it, as well as the interesting mountainous terrain beyond.

Upon arrival at the rest area, Sheikh Sultan was briefed on the project's overall plans, as well as the facilities and services available to visitors from all cities and regions in the country and abroad. During his visit, the Ruler of Sharjah was briefed on the first phase of the project, which is the development of the 1.5 kilometre-long Al Hafiya Lake, and ordered that the lake's wall be raised from two to four metres to accommodate 200 million gallons of water.