Sharjah: If you are looking for some serenity and a safe haven away from the madness of the city, the best place to go is to Al Majaz in Sharjah.
Since the late 1980s, Al Majaz has had the reputation of being a family-friendly environment as it is home to the Buhaira Corniche and Al Qasba. As you stroll along the corniche, you can see fitness aficionados jogging and cycling, as well as a few teenagers with fishing rods and families having picnics on the grass.
About a dozen metres ahead of Al Noor Mosque lies a traditional two-floor coffee shop that looks as like it was built in stone. It's a great place to enjoy a hot cup of coffee while enjoying a lovely view of the Khalid Lagoon.
Hassan Mohammad, a Somalian expatriate, regularly drives from his home in Al Hamriya, Dubai, to meet up with friends in Al Majaz. "I come here at least once a week and don't mind the commute because the open space and quietness of the area is worth it. I have a lot of friends who live in Sharjah, so it makes more sense to go to Al Majaz for a two-hour chat instead of sitting in a crowded shopping centre," Mohammad says.
Pedestrian-friendly environs
The district happens to be very pedestrian-friendly, so it is easy to walk across the zebra crossings and make your way to Buhaira Corniche. The corniche is a long stretch that allows you to cover the whole area of Al Majaz, which happens to be divided into three areas, Al Majaz 1, 2 and 3, due to its sheer volume and size.
Visitors who do not fancy walking can cruise along Khalid Lagoon in an abra, which caters to groups of 12 people and charges Dh120 per hour and Dh60 for 30 minutes.
Indian expatriate Amala Cristopher lives in the Al Qasimia area with his wife Sonia. He has no intention of moving to Dubai since rents have become even cheaper in Sharjah.
"This is a place for relaxation and after sitting all day at the office, I like to go out a few times a week and walk," he says.
Even though the area is good for walking, residents point out that it used to be better when Al Majaz Park was open.
Construction
Al Majaz Park was built in 1990 and authorities decided to close it down for renovation in June 2010. Officials at Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority) recently announced that 60 per cent of the construction work has been completed.
Once the park reopens at the end of the year, it will be renamed Al Majaz Waterfront and will be dotted with restaurants and coffee shops. It will also have special areas for walking, jogging and cycling, a sculpture garden, an arts area for children, a dancing fountain, public amenities and parking lots for 1,000 vehicles.
Bernard Buenaluz, an expatriate from the Philippines, plays basketball on a small court next to the construction site.
"There aren't any street lights so once it gets dark we can't play anymore. I can't wait for Al Majaz Park to reopen because I hear it will have good sports facilities," he says.
If you are in the area, residents say you should not miss out on a visit to Al Qasba. It boast of the Etisalat-Eye of the Emirates ferris wheel. Rides are priced at Dh30 for adults and Dh15 for children.
The Al Qasba Development Authority was established in 2004. It has a large variety of restaurants and coffee shops, a small park, as well as kiosks where one can find all sorts of interesting knick-knacks and costume jewellery.
Visual art
Micaela Pronto, another expatriate from the Philippines, says she like to walk from her residence on Al Wahda Street to Al Qasba to enjoy the cool evening breeze before the summer kicks in.
"Since I arrived here in October 2010, I've been visiting this place. My relatives recommended it and it has now become something of a routine, where we meet up over a coffee or for dinner."
However, food is not the only attraction at Al Qasba. It also caters to avid art lovers. The Maraya Art Centre that was launched in March 2010 as a place to house contemporary visual art, covers over 1,500 square metres and featuring interesting pieces of modern art. The three-story art centre also offers lectures by artists, and workshops for students, teenagers and adults.
Some of Al Qasba's main attractions include a relaxing ride in a traditional boat that costs Dh10 per adult. Visitors can enjoy the view as the boat makes its way across the canal. The musical fountain features water cannons, pyrotechnics and lighting that are combined to create stunning effects in sync with music.
The fountain displays take place throughout the day and go on into the evening, with none of the shows being repeated on the same day.
All about convenience
1 Shopping: The area caters mainly to traditional Arab garments for men, where you can find good quality for dishdashas, bishts and sandals. Beauty parlours and barber shops can also be found in the neighbourhood.
2 Hospital: Sharjah Corniche Hospital is located opposite the Marbella Resort.
3 Restaurants: Dozens of restaurants, coffee shops and fast food outlets can be found scattered opposite the Buhaira Corniche. Visitors will be spoilt for choice as the food outlets cater to all taste buds.
4 Grocery store: Al Madina Supermarket is located in a street behind the main road and offers customers budget grocery items.
5 Mosque: Al Noor Mosque is situated on the Buhaira Corniche and has the capacity to accommodate 1,800 worshippers. The mosque was built in 2005 and has been built on the lines of a traditional Ottoman Turkish mosque.
Street smart
Since the late 1980s, Al Majaz has had the reputation of being a family-friendly environment as it is home to the Buhaira Corniche and the iconic Al Qasba with its musical fountain.
As you stroll along the corniche, you can see fitness aficionados jogging and cycling, as well as a few teenagers with fishing rods and families having picnics on the grass.
Visitors who do not fancy walking have the option of cruising along Khalid Lagoon in an abra. With restaurants, shopping centres and hospitals all conveniently located, Al Majaz is a great place to live or simply visit with family or friends to get rid of all the stress that has become part and parcel of daily life
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