'Marawed' celebrates Khorfakkan’s heritage area

His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), Editor-in-Chief, stated that the new issue comes in celebration of Khorfakkan, the coastal city on the shores of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It belongs to the Emirate of Sharjah, and is the ninth city in the UAE, and one of the most beautiful coastal cities in it at all.

Al Musallam added that His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, paid special attention to the city of Khorfakkan. For historical, social and strategic considerations, His Highness developed the city's infrastructure, including the development of the traditional port that became a sophisticated global port. 

Al Musallam continued that His Highness also developed the cultural side of the city, represented by a public library, theatre, centres for children, teenagers and girls, as well as directing the opening of main branches for all government departments and institutions in the city, making it a major and vital city. His Highness also directed the preservation and restoration of the heritage area, which includes important historical buildings.

Al Musallam indicated that, historically, the city of Khorfakkan has a share of the resistance to European colonialism that swept many Arab and foreign countries, and one of its most severe forms is the Portuguese colonialism, a special reason for dedicating the new issue to celebrate its history.

For his part, Dr. Mona Bounama, Director of the Content and Publishing Department, Managing Editor, stated that Sharjah is one of the first Emirates in the country to restore historical monuments and heritage buildings. This comes in accordance to the implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, aimed at preserving and reviving historical buildings and heritage sites through restoration work. 

The issue followed the news of activities, events and programmes organised or implemented by SIH during the last period, and its role in confirming the importance of communication and cultural exchange between various bodies, institutions, individuals and groups, inside and outside the country. In addition to the distinguished participation of SIH in the Sharjah International Book Fair in its 39th edition, and the number included the activities organised by SIH to celebrate the official occasions of the United Arab Emirates, which are Flag Day, Martyr’s Day, and National Day.