Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - Al Khan Street

Sharjah's Al Khan Street is a long stretch leading into the city and passes along the waterfront and Al Buhairah Corniche. The area along Al Khan Street in the city is a modern part of Sharjah. It was once a coastal village but now home to high-rise buildings occupied by offices, hotels and apartments. Also along the street are the quaint little shops, shopping centres, restaurants and local eateries serving some of the best shawarma (like a gyro kebab) in the city. Al Noor Mosque is just across the street from several high-rises.

Al Khan Street

Al Noor Mosque

Shopping centre in Al Khan Street 

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - Along Al Buhairah Corniche

Al Buhairah Corniche is sandwiched between palm trees on one side and a lagoon on the other. The corniche is a pleasant place for a stroll accompanied with a scenic view of the city across the waterfront. It's interesting to be here watching locals and expatriates from various cultures jogging, walking, socialising or just watching the world pass by.

The corniche is not the best place be during the day from April to November, with temperatures reaching 42°C (108°F)! Early morning or evening would be a better time, with more accommodating temperatures. However, it's cooler from December to April, when midday temperatures are around 25°C (77°F) and accompanied by a pleasant breeze.

Modern high rises along the waterfront

Along the promenade

Another view along the waterfront

Dhow converted into a floating restaurant

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Picturesque Al Noor Mosque

Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is located along the waterfront on Al Buhaira Corniche. The mosque serves Muslims residents in the area and those working near the mosque. The mosque is not a historical or grand mosque but constructed in 2005 to complement the city's development. Its architecture Ottoman (Turkish) and rather Arabic comprising of two minarets and 33 domes with largest dome situated in the centre. 

Al Noor Mosque

Domes of the mosque

Entrance to the mosque

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Greenery in the Desert City

Sharjah is home to 800,000 people and the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It's a coastal city on the western corner of the Arabian Peninsula (facing the Persian Gulf) and has a history dating more than 5,000 years. The construction boom that began in the mid-2000s has transformed Sharjah into a modern city with towering buildings and along with it traffic jams.

Before my first visit, my ignorance led me to perceive Sharjah to be a desert city with sand storm covered roads and lacking any traces of greenery - probably been seeing to much Hollywood movies. My perception was proved wrong, there are oasis of greenery in the city especially along the waterfront with its grassy lawns and palm trees. The greenery is a result of human intervention rather than mother nature taking its course.

Green covered lawn in the desert

Planted palm trees

Greenery near Al Noor Mosque