Saturday's attack was one of the deadliest attacks in the area in recent months
world3 hours ago
Guided by the desire of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to recognise traditional aesthetics, the Blue Souq, as it is also known, has special Arabic Islamic design works laid out in blue hues. It is also known as the Gold Souk because of the innumerable gold outlets.
Built in 1978, this popular 80,000sqm sprawling market has the most extraordinary collection of handicrafts. More than 600 shops dot either side of the spacious corridors spread over two floors. Traditional gift items and hand-made goods and antiques are often displayed along these corridors tempting the shopper.
While one section of the souq features antiques, carpets, gifts and electronics, the other section connected by foot bridges, features jewellery made of gold and precious stones.
Hand-made pure Iranian silk carpets commanding a price as high as Dh10,000 to Dh20,000 are hot favourites. “Americans, Germans and Australians top the list of foreign buyers of these carpets, especially the four by six feet variety,” says Mamunur Rashid, 25, a salesman of a carpet shop. “Russians, Japanesse and Indians follow suit, and most of them live in the UAE.”
According to Rashid, carpet buyers are seasonal, and mostly come during the winter season.
Traditional local antiques and novelties inlaid with copper, silver and gold are big crowd pullers. Mahesh G Bhagnari and wife, Resham, who have been running souvenir and novelty shops in the Blue Souq for the past seven years, says that Russians, Thais, Chinese and Hong Kong nationals are fond of gold-plated souvenir items such as animals figures, mouse pads, coasters, key chains, magnets and décor plates. “We do good business,” Mahesh says. “Fast moving items include gold-plated Swarovski crystal products, which Russians normally buy. Chinese tourists prefer the replica of Burj Khalifa with light.”
Shop owners in the souq see an increase of over 200 visitors on weekends, majority of whom are attracted to the jewellery.
Sarbjie with her children Simren, 14; Pavan, 12; and Dylan, 4 were on the look-out for jewellery pieces to take back to London for relatives and friends. While Simren wanted a diamond-studded gold ring, Pavan was on the look-out for gold earrings.
According to Indian accountant Kamlash Chudasna, Russians and Afghanistanis top gold jewellery buyers. “They prefer to buy 22-karat gold from either Singapore, Italy or Turkey. The most expensive pieces of jewellery are the most exquisitely designed ones from Turkey.” Whatever is the choice of the shoppers and foreign tourists, the Blue Souk continues to be a favourite destination. — lily@khaleejtimes.com
Saturday's attack was one of the deadliest attacks in the area in recent months
world3 hours ago
The bomber set off the blast from the back of a motorbike rickshaw near the town of Mir Ali in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
asia3 hours ago
From cricket and padel to a water obstacle course and strength training, the Kite Beach fitness village offers several free classes
uae3 hours ago
Defeat snapped India's streak of 18 successive home series wins stretching back to 2012
cricket4 hours ago
The theme 'It Starts with a Book' will enable attendees to explore various techniques in comic creation, crafts, voice acting, 3D design, and more
uae4 hours ago
The 24-year-old rookie pro will tee off in Sunday’s final group of the International Series Thailand alongside his Oklahoma State University teammate Uihlein
sports5 hours ago
Mohammed Ahmad Al Yamahi, a member of the Federal National Council (FNC), was elected as the president of the Parliament
uae5 hours ago
Users may also link this card to their Dewa account and get the EV charging fees included in their monthly bill
environment5 hours ago