Sharjah 24: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, announced the opening of projects in the city of Kalba before the end of this year, including Kalba University, Al Hafiya Lake and the Hanging Gardens, in addition to the Sports Centre on Jabal Deem in Kalba, affiliated with the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education at the University of Kalba.
His Highness confirmed that many towers and forts have been restored in the city of Khorfakkan, as there are only three towers left and their restoration is underway. Work is also continuing in the city of Kalba. We have searched for the location of the Portuguese Kalba Fort, which is located in Khor Kalba, until we found it to realise that there were two forts, one of which was restored, while the other only had the “foundations” left and it was the main fort, but when a flood occurred and water entered into the fort, it demolished it, so they had to move the stones that were scattered to another place and they built another fort, the one we restored, so that we can repeat the story for people to know about it.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi said, in a telephone conversation on the “Direct Line” programme, which is broadcast on Sharjah Broadcasting Authority with the journalist Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Authority: “We will restore the Kalba Wall and Al-Turaif Fort, and archaeological restoration is also underway in the Central Region. We do this so that these places will be memories for this country, and God willing, we will achieve this role.”
His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, added: "We were looking for the 'Aqaba Al Khor' tower, which is one of the watch towers in Khorfakkan, and I directed that search be near the flagpole where it was located.” His Highness explained the tasks of these towers were monitoring incoming ships and receiving signals in addition to monitoring the country. His Highness also announced the restoration of the “Al-Mansour Fort," named after Sultan bin Saqr I, a large fort with two walls and antiquities on top of Sirat Khorfakkan, "currently Shark Island", and all of these will be finished soon.
Kalba projects
Regarding the Kalba projects, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah said: We are currently restoring the entire old town, in addition to the old houses that have been turned into palm lodges similar to the Al-Rayaheen Hotel in Khorfakkan, and we are doing this so that these places will be memories for the people of the country, and God willing, we will fulfill this role before the end of the year. We will open the University of Kalba, Al Hafiyah Lake and the Hanging Gardens, in addition to the sports centre on Mount Deem in Kalba, which is affiliated with the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education at the University of Kalba, to provide great science in the fields of anatomy, treatment and medicine, and a link is now underway with a highly reputed university in America. The centre will have an altitude of 700 metres above sea level, and will include 3 specialised playgrounds for exercises and camps.
Central Region projects
The Ruler of Sharjah announced the near completion of work on the Central Region’s fort and Shariat Fili project, and the road is now being constructed to connect it to Sheikh Khalifa Road. His Highness also revealed the forts square near Al Baha’es Square towards Al Madam where there will be Fili, forts, and other means, in addition to developing the area between Al Baha’es Square and Mo’ded bin Saeed Square, and it will include a hospital and a new branch of the Victoria School.
Al Layyah Water Canal
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, said: “Al Layyah Water Canal is the most important project for me, because we were going to bring water from Al Khan Creek and pour it into Sharjah Creek. The theory was that Al Khan Creek’s is more calm than the Sharjah Creek. So, when it becomes calm, the Sharjah Creek’s water has already come out, so what comes is considered new water, and when it runs, there is a gate that closes; therefore, the method was not practical because of either the accumulated sand or the waste. Sometimes, the water is still and stagnant, and when the water comes from the big sea, it has force and energy. When I discussed the matter with the engineers, I have decided that the creek should ne straight and disembogue into the creek without loss or mix; for this reason, we have set up a cement arm from the Flag Island until before the opening of the canal; so the coming water will not mix with the outside water. It rushes under the Island’s bridge and continues to Al Majaz Amphitheatre after which the water circulates and leaves from the other side. We hope that this lake becomes blue and the project will be a success.”
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