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Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in cooperation with Kalba City Municipality, the festival brings together more than 85 productive families specialising in traditional seafood dishes and maritime products, alongside 10 government entities and six national fishing supplies companies and fish processing facilities. It focuses on two staples of the UAE’s maritime food heritage: Jashe, traditionally sun-dried fish, and Sahnah, a fermented fish condiment.
The festival was officially opened by H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, and His Excellency Counsellor Dr Eng. Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of Initiatives Implementation Authority in Sharjah "Mubadara".
The opening ceremony was attended by Her xcellency Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC); His Excellency Khalid Jasim Saif Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA); His Excellency Ali Ahmed Ali Abughazayain, Chairman of the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority (SFRA); His Excellency Sultan Mohammed bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs in Sharjah; and His Excellency Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI, along with members of SCCI Board of Directors.
Also present were His Excellency Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; His Excellency Dr Ahmed Saeed Al Mazrouei, Director of Kalba City Municipality; Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Khalil Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Jashe and Sahnah Festival’s Organising Committee; and Ali Mohammed Al Kindi, the Festival’s General Coordinator. The event also brought together heads and directors of government departments and authorities in Sharjah, as well as the chairmen of municipal councils across the emirate.
The opening ceremony featured a series of heritage and traditional performances showcasing the rich maritime and cultural heritage of Kalba. It also included the honouring of a number of participating institutions and veteran fishermen in recognition of their role in preserving maritime heritage.
On its opening day, the festival witnessed strong visitor turnout, attracting around 4,000 visitors, reflecting strong community interest in maritime heritage and the traditional products on display.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the festival, which spreads across 4,800 square metres. They visited the productive families’ pavilions and explored a diverse range of traditional seafood dishes and maritime products. They also toured the pavilions of participating government entities and institutions, in addition to platforms showcasing modern fishing equipment and fish production and processing solutions by national companies and factories.
Supported by media sponsor Sharqiya Kalba TV, the festival runs until September 27 in Al Samar neighbourhood in Kalba’s Al Ghail Suburb.
His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said the launch of the Jashe and Sahnah Festival represents a significant milestone in the Sharjah Chamber’s efforts to drive commercial and tourism activity across Sharjah’s cities and regions, with particular focus on the eastern region, which is experiencing comprehensive development momentum.
He underscored the importance of integrating business community growth with the preservation of national identity, while developing traditional crafts and industries into productive and sustainable economic activities that contribute to local economic output. Al Owais further noted that the initiative also supports the empowerment of productive families and entrepreneurs and strengthens the emirate’s food security by leveraging local marine resources.
For his part, His Excellency Ali Ahmed Ali Abughazayain said the festival adds a new dimension to the heritage landscape of Kalba, renowned for its rich maritime legacy. He highlighted the festival as an opportunity to celebrate an integral part of the UAE’s maritime and culinary heritage, while introducing younger generations to the knowledge, skills, and traditional practices of coastal communities that have been preserved and passed down over generations.
His Excellency Dr Ahmed Saeed Al Mazrouei affirmed Kalba Municipality’s commitment to its strategic partnership with the Sharjah Chamber in organising the festival. He explained that the Municipality had mobilised its full capabilities to prepare the venue to the highest standards, creating an optimal setting for exhibitors and visitors while contributing to the continued development of eco-tourism and heritage tourism in Kalba.
Ali Mohammed Al Kindi said the opening day recorded strong community participation and notable engagement from families and visitors, highlighting the deep-rooted community interest in exploring and documenting maritime heritage and the traditional methods of producing Jashe and Sahnah.
Three competitions with cash prizes form a central part of the inaugural Jashe and Sahnah Festival. The programme began on Thursday with the Best Jashe/Sahnah Product competition for participants aged 18 and above. Entrants are required to submit a single product prepared personally using authentic local preparation methods, with a minimum quantity of one kilogram of Jashe or 500 grams of Sahnah. Entries must be placed in a secure, food-grade container labelled with the product’s type, ingredients, and preparation date.
On Friday, families compete to create the Best Innovative Jashe/Sahnah Dish, with teams of two to four members—including one adult—required to use Jashe or Sahnah as a clearly identifiable main ingredient. Participants must provide a tasting portion sufficient for the judging panel, along with the dish’s name, concept, list of ingredients, and details of any allergens.
Saturday will put younger generations at the heart of the festival through the Best Quality Jashe/Sahnah for Children competition for participants aged seven to 15. Children must take an active role in preparing a product with a minimum quantity of 500 grams of Jashe or 250 grams of Sahnah, and personally explain the traditional process and what they have learnt to judges. Parents and guardians may provide supervision and safety support only, without taking over the child’s role in explaining or presenting the entry.
Entries for each competition will be accepted by the judging panel on the respective competition day from 3pm to 5pm. Winners of the three competitions will be honoured during the closing ceremony on Sunday.
The festival is open daily from 4:30pm to 10pm, offering visitors an opportunity to explore traditional fish products while creating commercial opportunities for local producers.
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