A place that lost its former beauty

Rolla Square in Sharjah has been a landmark of the city for a long time. On weekends and national holidays, the area was often brimming with people.

The crowd mainly comprised of bachelors who used to come from other emirates to meet their friends or to just take a stroll, and families who wanted to go shopping. It used to be a good place for joggers, too.

But for more than a year now, the beautiful lawns have been removed and the square is surrounded by wooden planks - probably as part of a reconstruction project.

I used to go there for evening walks frequently, even after the area was in its renovation phase. A security guard also used to stand by the gate.

However, today, hardly any females can visit the square, as the area is crowded with bachelors and workmen after 4pm. They often get together to play cards, cricket or just to laze around.

Recently, a stranger approached my child to talk about the pet cat she was carrying and that was the last time I went there for a walk.

The wooden planks used for covering the square have been pulled off at many places and passages have been made for people to pass through. This acts as a short-cut, and pedestrians use it instead of walking around the entire square.

The rest of the planks are covered with free advertisements, such as for shared accommodation.

The square that was once an icon of Sharjah has lost its beauty. The patchwork formed by these advertisements make the whole area look very shabby, indeed!

The reader is a teacher in Emirates Private School, in Sharjah.

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