His Highness explained, in his intervention on the "Direct Line" programme broadcasted by Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA), to the show's host, Ahmed Sultan, that all of the development projects we see in Sharjah's cities are the result of study, planning, discussion, and deep thought; to choose the best and most suitable for the nature of the entire region and its people. For example, if we look at the city of Khorfakkan, we can see towers like "Nad Al-Maqsar," "Burj Al Sheikh," and "Al-Mansour Fort," which are all forts built to reflect the rocky nature of the Khorkakkan mountains.
"We find a different nature in the city of Kalba," His Highness continued “When we first enter the city, we see the "hanging gardens" on the right side, which are just beginning to emerge and whose cultivation took a long time, and then we see "Maiz Al Dhahr Mountain" named after species of mountain goat that lives and breeds in the mountain, and they have a dedicated area in the site, but we did not release the existing ones because we were waiting to reach the appropriate number which we have now reached, thanks be to God”
In the city of Kalba, we also find the "Al Hafiya Reserve," according to His Highness. The reserve is home to a variety of animals, birds, and reptiles. The reserve's end is connected by mangroves, which are more than just trees; they are alive with fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and a variety of other species. The mangrove is located behind the open floating theatre project on Kalba's Corniche, so everything we do in this region must be in keeping with their natural environment, and it must be natural.
We chose the shape of the oyster for the floating theatre project based on this idea," His Highness explained, "knowing that it is not just an oyster, but rather Hama Hama Oysters." Hama Hama Oysters are a variety of marine oyster that is consumed and sold in local markets, and one of "Shaam's" most common nesting places. In the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah's Shaam, this oyster is known as "the Duok," whereas in Rams, AL Mataf, and Bab Mairid, it is known as "Hama." It is a member of the same family, although it is smaller."
His Highness went on: "I'd like to say to the municipality of Ras Al Khaimah that we hope you will prevent the fishing of this oyster, because it will be lost in this area, and while it reproduces, the rate of reproduction is insufficient for the process of collecting and selling it.
Theatre’s Design
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah commented on the design of the floating open theatre located on the Corniche of Kalba city: "I'd like to make it clear that if the oyster is open, as the engineer designed it at the beginning, that indicates it's dead. The live oyster only opens a small amount to acquire food from the water, thus it is only open to the degree that the current design shows.”
The way to the theatre
“In front of the theatre, there is a long sidewalk with a wall on which people can lean for photography, and the exterior facade features a circular restaurant overlooking the entire corniche and the open sea, and behind it is a good size theatre that accommodates celebrations rather than traditional parties. It leads to the theatre below, with a sign indicating that this tunnel is a "fish aquarium," with passers-by able to see several different species of fish,” His Highness explained.
His Highness added: "In this area, water was made into a cultivable 'tongue of clay'. We will plant it all with mangroves. The entire back of the theatre will be mangroves, and although the theatre will not operate on a daily basis, the fish farms and the restaurant will work in the morning and evening. The design we can say is in keeping with the nature of this place, as even the buildings we built for the Qurum Centre are taken from some types of shellfish found in the sea.”
Water was turned into a cultivable 'tongue of clay' in this place," His Highness continued. “We will cover it all in mangroves. The mangroves will cover the entire back of the theatre, and while the theatre will not be open every day, the fish farms and restaurant will be open in the morning and evening. We may say that the design is in harmony with the essence of this place, as even the buildings we developed for the Qurum Centre are inspired by seashells.”
Fantasy
On the concept of theatre, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, stated, "I just wanted to explain the concept of this theatre, because someone asked me about it, and I replied, "It's a fantasy." God willing, Kalba will become famous for this theatre, just as Sydney, Australia, is famous for its opera.”
Kitab Resthouse
His Highness spoke about the " Kitab Resthouse " project, which is located on one of the Kalba Mountains' peaks, saying that some people say, “The Sheikh likes books, so he named it as such." "I just want to tell them that it's an old name that the locals gave it to that place, because there's a location on the mountain that looks like a page from a book”.
The area is about 15 kilometers long, and the temperature and humidity are modest," His Highness continued. Because this mountain is made of clay, it is easy to cultivate, and the area at the foot of the mountain is completely shaded; the sun does reach there until five o'clock in the afternoon, and the temperature was 37 degrees yesterday, Wednesday, when we were there, whereas the temperature drops below zero in the winter. Fruits will be used to enhance the area.
Villages are growing
"We're also working on a development plan for the communities, which will include a huge number of residential complexes," His Highness stated. The plains will be covered with fruit plantations, and these villages will have a view of these. With God's permission, we will adapt these mountains, just as we did the mountains of Khorkakkan, and the projects in these mountains will be completed without the use of explosives and with modest equipment.
Kalba’s year
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah stated, "I was listening to the ""Direct Line" programme when I heard an official from Kalba say, "2022 is the year of Kalba."
Then, in my mind, I said: "What makes you aware?! That, God willing, will be the case.”
The future time, God willing, will see the opening of many additional projects, with an opening rate of every 6 or 8 months," His Highness continued, "as all government buildings in the city of Kalba will be developed in the area starting from the cooperative building and ending with the flag." The university building, as well as all other buildings will be expanded and designed in the same shapes and patterns as the Sharjah Municipality building.”
His Highness continued, "I pay attention to the details, even I changed the hight of the walls surrounding the buildings, as they were 2 metres high in the original design and made them shorter so that people could watch and photograph the buildings, and of course, there is no fear of strangers entering these buildings, as they are all surrounded by surveillance.”
Entry into these buildings will be from the back, and each building will have an official gate from the front," His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah stated. From the concept to the design and other elements, I was personally involved in all of them. Work and development are continuing at a rapid pace and the Al Saf residential project is also underway. The residential complex contains a huge group of housing units totalling roughly 250 dwellings. The contractors will begin work as soon as possible, God willing, to complete all of these projects so that we may take the development directly to Al Dhaid.
Improving people’s life
His Highness "These development projects aim to improve individuals’ life," Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi added. We elevate people and solve societal problems like drugs and others by improving housing, science, education, and thought. "Be kind to your family who raised and trained you, so don't be rude and make them miserable with you," we tell every young man.
Divine trust
His Highness added, "We appeal to the young people of the new generation, and we say to each of them: Be nice to yourself, stick to your religion, and preserve your intellect." The mind is the source of inventions and remedies; it benefits not only the individual, but also the society.
Mind is a trust that God Almighty has entrusted Man with, and God Almighty said in in Surat Al-'Ahzab [33:72], Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, concluded his talk by saying: “We advise, guide and remind the youth and say: Respect your homeland, as seen in Kalba, Khorfakkan, and other areas; you have much to appreciate and be proud of, so defend it and its reputation, as well as your own, and we pray to God that we all fulfill the trust, God willing.”
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