Sharjah24: Celebrating 90 years since the first landing at the region’s first airport in Sharjah and reflecting on the transformative cultural experiences of Al Mahatta, the first air station in the UAE, Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is organising “Envisioning Al Mahatta, Past and Future” virtual seminar.

Targeting researchers, academicians and practitioners, the symposium will be held on the 23rd of November from 11:00 am to 01:00 pm.

It will witness the participation of Dr. Frauke Heard Bey, historian and political scientist, Mr David Heard, retired engineer and author, Dr. Zaki Aslan, Regional Director of ICCROM Sharjah, Dr. Saif Al Badwawi, Gulf history specialist,  and Fatina Al Bitar, the UAE’s first female pilot. 

Moderated by Hazelle Page, Collections Management Manager at SMA, the seminar is aimed at bringing coherence and strengthening research and information for Al Mahatta’s equitable and sustainable future preservation.

Outcomes and results of the discussion that will be published at a later date, will contribute not only in record-keeping historical facts and imparting knowledge about Al Mahatta but also in documenting the pivotal role it had played in establishing stronger international ties and encouraging cultural exchange between Sharjah, the UAE and other countries of the world.

Participants will additionally address topics that highlight the history of the UAE with reference to Al Mahatta and the development of aviation in the country while also discussing other talking-points that include architecture, heritage, and heritage preservation as well as museums’ broader role in heritage conservation. 

Before being transformed into a museum, Al Mahatta was the first airport established in Sharjah in 1932 and served as a major gateway linking the UAE with Europe and East Asian countries and allowing stronger cultural exchange and trade relations. 

To further highlight Al Mahatta’s role in the evolution of country’s aviation industry, SMA inaugurated the “Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago” exhibition.

The exhibition which showcases a collection of rare photographs, establishment agreement and video exploring the history of the first flight, continues to welcome visitors for a period of one year after being opened for the public on October 3, 2022.