Dubai: The new Naif Souq may not look the same as the famous souq in Deira that was destroyed by fire in April 2008, but it still manages to exude its old charm.
The air-conditioned facility, also known as the Boxes Souq, was reconstructed by Dubai Municipality in the same spot as the old one and was officially opened yesterday by Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture.
The souq had a soft opening on the first day of Ramadan.
Shaikh Majid, who unveiled a plaque at the entrance of the souq toured the shops on the ground and first floors. He also viewed an exhibition of rare documents and administrative tools used by the Dubai Municipality in the 1950s and 1960s.
More outlets
The new souq, which resembles a modern mall than an old bazaar, houses more shops. The old souq had 200 shops while the newly-constructed one has 218 — 111 on the ground floor and 107 on the first floor, as well as 44 kiosks. The souq also has an underground parking for 90 cars.
The souq was bustling with people who gathered to watch the opening ceremony. By midday, people were busy buying, selling, haggling and having a break at the ground floor coffee shop.
Steeped in history
The Naif area is a district in Deira that was the old commercial centre of Dubai, turning the place into a traditional hot spot that is now frequented by tourists.
There are more than 815 buildings in the district, including 117 hotels, 44 money exchange houses and 15 banks.
Naif Fort
The late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum ordered the building of the Naif Fort in 1938. It functioned as an observation tower to monitor the sea, the coast and newcomers to the city. Four walls were later built around the tower and gradually it came to be used as a prison.
In 1956, it became the first headquarters of the Dubai Police which had 29 members.Despite the lack of facilities, the fort resembled a strong security building, as it also included the public prosecution and the court. Between 1994 and 1997, the police station underwent renovation while keeping the fort intact.
— Gulf News Archive
Did you attend the Souk’s soft opening? What did you think? Do you have any memories of the old one you would like to share? Tell us at readers@gulfnews.com
