Situated along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, on the Arabian Peninsula, Sharjah City is the third most populated city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah.
The region upon which the city was built has been inhabited for about 6,000 years. Archaeological evidence of human habitation has been found from the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the pre-Islamic era. Through the years, several cultures have left an influence on its history, including the Mongols, the Ottomans, the Portuguese, and the British, but the greatest influence has been that of the Arab Empire.
Sharjah has long been an important port in the region and a regional hub for trade. The city grew up around Sharjah Creek, and it fostered trade between Arabian Gulf merchants and the Bedouins from the interior of the desert, who came with charcoal and other products. The city also profited from nearby pearl beds, and fishing fleets operated along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the nearby Gulf of Oman. In 1932, Sharjah became a hub for commercial air flights between India and Britain.
Britain announced its withdrawal from the region in 1968, and Sharjah became one of seven within the federation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, with Sharjah as the capital city of the Emirate of Sharjah.
In 1974, Sharjah, already a successful trading center, began petroleum production, with gas production following in 1982.
Today, Sharjah is a modern metropolis with deeply rooted traditions in Islam, which is central to every aspect of its culture. Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates, and the emirate and city of Sharjah are no exception. Muslims in Sharjah pray five times a day, and the call to prayer is transmitted through loudspeakers from every mosque in the city. Friday is the holy day in Islam and the first day of the weekend in Sharjah. Most businesses will be closed, although some tourist areas may have different hours of operation.
Most residents of Sharjah wear traditional dress in public. For men, this is a full-length shirt dress, worn with a white or red checkered head covering secured with a black cord. Sheiks and other important people may also wear a thin black or brown robe. Women wear the black abaya, a long, loose robe that covers their normal clothing, as well as a headscarf. Women from more traditional families may also wear a thin black veil that hides their face or a leather mask that covers the nose, brow, and cheekbones.
In recent years, Sharjah is seeing increasing numbers of tourists, as well as foreign investors, entrepreneurs, expatriate workers, and students. Ongoing developments including new housing areas, as well as renovation of historic buildings, hotels, and impressive municipal buildings.
Old Sharjah, situated along the creek, is a popular heritage area, with its coral stone buildings and passages, created hundreds of years ago, before the discovery of oil, when Sharjah was an important trade center and seaport. The city is also famous for its museums, classical and contemporary. Sharjah's Heritage District includes several art galleries and museums, as well as a market selling antiques and other collectibles.
The Sharjah International Airport is the city's aviation hub and the third-largest airfreight cargo hub in the Middle East. It also has daily passenger flights to several other countries. The city's transportation infrastructure is well developed although, like most large cities, ground traffic congestion is not uncommon.
Like the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official and most common language used, although English is the most common second language.
Sites listed in this category may include municipal government sites or those of the Emirate of Sharjah, which are based in Sharjah City. Other appropriate topics include businesses, religious institutions, schools, organizations, or other entities that are physically located or headquartered in Sharjah. Sites hosted outside of the city may be listed here as well, if their topics are focused on Sharjah.
Recommended Resources
Meeting in Sharjah City, Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, the congregation describes itself as an independent, fundamental, New Testament Church, using the King James Version of the Bible as a text. A history of the congregation is put forward, along with its articles of faith, schedules, a calendar of events, and leadership contacts. Several Bible quotations are included.
http://www.firstbethanybaptist.org/
The official website for the Emirate of Sharjah delineates government agencies, departments, and services, posts administrative offices and hours, and offers a guide to citizenship and residence issues, family issues, health services and programs, housing and property, education, vehicles and transportation, culture, recreational opportunities, community issues, religion, safety, and legal affairs. A guide to starting or closing a business is also featured.
https://www.sharjah.ae/
Affiliated with the TravelAgents Network, the online city guide features the City of Sharjah, the capital of the Emirate by that name, part of the United Arab Emirates. Featured is a guide to hotels and events within the city, as well as local attractions, dining facilities, nightlife, shopping venues, and other businesses. Car rentals, flight information, visa requirements, and a blog are included.
https://www.sharjah.com/
Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority
SEWA began as a private company, then was transferred to the Sharjah government, which distributes and generates electricity, water, and natural gas to nationals and residents of the Sharjah Emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Its products and services are outlined, along with its electronic services, career opportunities, scholarship information, a calendar of events, and a gallery of photographs.
https://www.sewa.gov.ae/en/
Situated about eight miles southeast of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, the airport is the hub for Air Arabia, and an airfreight cargo hub. Arrivals and departures may be tracked through the site, along with timetables, destinations, and trip planning information. Transportation to and from the airport may be arranged, and an overview of the airport facilities and services are set forth. A guide to the city of Sharjah is included.
https://www.sharjahairport.ae/en/
Located next to the Sharjah Transport Authority in Sharjah, UAE, the school follows the Indian curriculum, offering an internationally recognized secondary educational program. Its curriculum, admissions policies, tuition, school policies and rules, schedules, a calendar of events, and a guide to the first day of school, assignments, assessments, field trips, and expectations.
http://indianacademysharjah.com/
Located behind Mega Mall, in the Regus Building, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Ummah Design offers web design and development services, search engine optimization, social media services, e-commerce solutions, and other web business services to large or small businesses in Sharjah, Dubai, and elsewhere in the United Arab Emirates. Its services are outlined here, with samples of its work, client testimonials, a blog, and contact data.
https://www.ummahdesign.me/
UOS is an Emirati private national university in Sharjah City, Sharjah Emirate, in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1997, the university's main campus is on the southern edge of Sharjah, but it has branches in five other areas of the Emirate. Its campus locations and details are set forth, with administrative contacts, admissions policies, and an overview of its programs, research facilities, and international programs.
http://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/
