Emirate of Sharjah

Sharjah (Arabic: ٱلشَّارقَة aš-Šāriqah; Gulf Arabic: aš-šārja) is the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi, forming part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. Sharjah is the capital of the emirate Sharjah. The emirate shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates of the UAE within a federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civil law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Sharjah has been ruled by the Al Qasimi dynasty since the 18th century. The city is a centre for culture and industry, and alone contributes 7.4% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates. The city covers an approximate area of 235 km2 and has a population of over 800,000 (2008). The sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the emirate of Sharjah without possession of an alcohol licence and alcohol is not served in Sharjah hotels, restaurants or other outlets due to the Muslim majority in the area. This has helped Sharjah increase the number of Islamic tourists who visit the country. Sharjah has been officially named as a WHO healthy city. The 2016 edition of QS Best Student Cities ranked Sharjah as the 68th best city in the world to be a university student. Sharjah is regarded as the cultural capital of the UAE, and was the Islamic culture capital in 2014. Sharjah was named World Book Capital for 2019 by UNESCO.

Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman (DSA) is a metropolitan area in the United Arab Emirates. It consists of the combined urban areas of Dubai, Ajman, and Sharjah. The urban areas at the northeast end of Dubai flow into those of Sharjah, which in turn are contiguous with those of Ajman. The total population is about 5.64 million people as of 2021.

In 1965, in coordination with British officials, Khalid Al Qasimi, the cousin of the Sheikh of Sharjah; Saqr Al Qasimi, staged a bloodless palace coup usurping the throne to ensure British interests in the Persian Gulf.

The 1987 Sharjawi coup or the 1987 Emirati crisis was a political crisis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when, due to economic recession due to the 1980s oil glut, the brother of Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the Sheikh of the Emirate of Sharjah, Sheikh `Abd al-`Aziz bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, attempted to stage a bloodless palace coup seizing key positions throughout Sharjah with military elements loyal to him. The coup destabilized the foundation of the still young UAE, and threatened to break the union back into its constituent Emirates, however, it would ultimately fail due to Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum convincing the other Emirati leaders to reinstall the deposed Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi.

In 1972, shortly after the formation of the United Arab Emirates, the former Sheikh of Sharjah, Saqr Al Qasimi, attempted to regain control over the emirate from his cousin Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Although Saqr was able to secure the Emirate's palace, and kill Khalid, an intervention by the UAE's Trucial Oman Scouts besieged, and eventually forced Saqr's surrender.

Rolla or Rolla Sharjah (in Arabic: رولا) is a landmark and city within the city of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah, is a private general hospital in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Al Zahra serves some 400,000 outpatients and 23,000 inpatients annually, with a capacity of 137 beds.Facilities at the hospital include a 9-bed Intensive Care Unit and a 14-bed long term care and rehabilitation unit as well as seven operating theatres and a number of specialised units.

Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn Sharjah) is a double story traditional rock, coral and adobe fortification in the centre of the city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The fort was originally constructed in 1820 by the then Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. It was partially demolished in January 1970, the one remaining tower (called 'kubs', that to the far right of the fort as you stand at the entrance) lending its name to the square in which it sits, 'Al Burj', Arabic for 'tower'.The fort has been restored by the current Ruler as part of a comprehensive programme of ongoing restoration of the traditional core of the old port city of Sharjah under the name 'Heart of Sharjah'. The restoration of Sharjah Fort commenced in January 1996 and was completed in April 1997.

The Sharjah Art Museum is an art museum in the city of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It was housed in Bait Al Serkal in Al Shuwaihean Area. It is one of the leading art institutions in the Persian Gulf region. A new building of the museum was established on April 7, 1997, under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah during the 3rd Sharjah International Arts Biennial. Sharjah Art Museum has a collection of modern and contemporary art by artists from United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries. It also organizes and hosts temporary exhibitions and educational events. It has a total floor area of 111,000 m2 with galleries over two floors and an underground car park beneath it. The museum celebrated 25 years in April 2022 since opening for public to promoting art and fostering creativity in the UAE.

Sharjah Heritage Museum is a museum celebrating authentic Emirati culture and tradition, its six galleries featuring a broad variety of objects and displays. Originally established in 2005, the museum opened its doors once more in 2012 in the restored home of Saeed Al Taweel Al Shamsi, a pearl merchant or tawash.It is located in the old town of Sharjah, a historical landmark actively being renovated in a heritage project named Heart of Sharjah. The galleries are categorized into six: landscape, lifestyle, celebrations, livelihood, traditional knowledge, and oral traditions.

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum is a museum celebrating local and international artists and calligraphers, their distinctive masterpieces displayed all throughout in exhibits set to embrace the beauty of Arabic calligraphy. It aims to highlight the importance of preserving this art. The museum showcases the evolution of Arabic calligraphy, with artworks of calligraphic texts, letters, and shapes on a variety of tools and surfaces, such as canvases, wood, paper, and even ceramics. Besides the permanent displays, the museum presents changing exhibitions, workshops, and conferences. First opening its doors on June 12, 2002, Sharjah Calligraphy Museum is located in the Sharjah Heritage Area in the house of Hamad Al Midfaa.

Bait Al Naboodah, Al Naboodah House, is a pearl merchant's house and museum located in the Heart of Sharjah, the restored old town and heritage area of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).