Sharjah to spend Dh1.5bn on 21 cultural projects

Sharjah has revealed that the cost of the 21 projects it is working on in celebration of its selection as the Islamic Culture Capital for 2014 nears Dh1.5 billion, distributed over new universities, monuments, Islamic parks, traditional markets, museums and libraries, as well as scientific and architectural edifices.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital 2014
(SICC 2014) celebrations, emphasised that these projects translate Sharjah’s vision, which is derived from the aspiration of H H Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to promote Islamic cultural thought and spread its goodness around the world.

He confirmed the significance of the projects, which mirror the identity of the emirate and aim to highlight the greatness of Islamic culture and disseminate its objectives across the world.

Sheikh Sultan said: "The projects complement the cultural manifestations and human heritage that chronicle Sharjah’s story of knowledge and science, promoting its status and key role in the international cultural system."

He added that many of the SICC 2014 projects, including the Al Majaz Island Amphitheatre project, which started only three months ago, would be completed within days.

Al Majaz Island Amphitheatre, which covers an area of 7.238 square metres and accommodates up to 4,500 spectators, is set to host on March 26, 2014 the premiere of "Clusters of Light", an epical theatrical performance that will launch the SICC 2014 celebrations.

Emphasising its importance as a touristic and cultural edifice, Sheikh Sultan indicated that the AED140 million amphitheatre is fitted with the latest high-tech equipment that are unprecedented in the region and poised to produce outstanding performances.

For her part, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Head of the Projects Committee for the SICC 2014 celebrations, asserted that Sharjah, inspired by its Ruler, invests in everything likely to promote human thought, culture and knowledge, pointing to the sustainable nature of the emirate’s projects, which are poised to benefit generations to come.

She also pointed to the touristic value of the SICC 2014 projects, which will position Sharjah as an international cultural destination.

Among the other projects that will be completed by late March, as stated by Sheikha Bodour, are an AED12.55 million Islamic park and an AED8 million monument.

Another park is being built at a cost of AED25 million. This will be the first of three parks to be constructed as part of the SICC 2014 projects, adding a significant aesthetic, cultural and social value to the emirate.

Islamic universities and libraries are also being built to emphasise the major role of Sharjah as the capital of Islamic culture in disseminating Islamic knowledge and enhancing awareness of Islamic civilisation and the bright history of Islam.

The Head of the Projects Committee said: "To complement its Islamic architectural system, Sharjah, as part of its SICC 2014 projects, is constructing buildings with Islamic architecture to highlight its identity and culture."

Citing the emirate’s keenness on its heritage and historical legacy, she clarified that a sum of AED23 million had been allocated for the construction of new museums and traditional markets, as well as other heritage projects.

Among the heritage projects that were underway are several "heritage villages" distributed across Sharjah, including Kalba, Khor Fakkan and Al Dhaid, to consolidate the spirit of heritage by reviving traditional ceremonial practices.

Sharjah, with all its sectors, is making every effort and working in full swing to finalise its projects, which are set to enrich Islamic culture on the local, regional and international levels.

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