People & Places: Dubai's Al Shindagha evokes nostalgia

Emirati lawyer Abdulmoneim bin Suwaidan, who was born and grew up in Al Shindagha, holds precious memories of how life used to be there.
Al Shindagha is one of the oldest areas in Dubai and is one of the main spots as it was where previous rulers of the emirate, including Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and his father the late Sheikh Saeed were based at. The residence of Sheikh Saeed used to be in Al Shindagha and now, it is turned into a heritage museum.
The area enjoyed an economical importance because of its key location, on the banks of the creek. Dubai's trade relations with many countries including India, Pakistan, Yemen and African coasts developed here as boats from these countries used to enter Dubai through the creek to unload the goods imported from these countries.
Dubai Creek was not as deep or long as it is today. It used to reach just near Al Maktoum Bridge or a little bit more.
There are guides who were in charge of letting the boats in as they were familiar with the timings of high and low tides. When it is high tide, they let the boats coming from the Gulf countries or India enter the creek so that passengers could disembark and goods could be unloaded.
When it is low tide, the boats dock outside the creek until an order comes from the guides who would then lead the way in their own small boats.
Al Shindagha used to be an area of old Emirati families, who used to reside in small, single-storey houses. The neighbourhood was served by small grocery shops.
The fish and vegetables market used to be on the creek. It was the only such market in Bur Dubai. Jumeirah and Zabeel residents used to flock to that market to buy fish and vegetables.
Life used to be very simple
Sheikh Rashid built three-floor houses for Palestinian families in Al Shindagha, which were given for free or at very small rent.
All the old buildings were taken down at some point and the Heritage Village was built on the creek. Residents were all compensated by the government. Some houses are now revamped to keep the traditional face of the area.
"I still remember the location of our home. There used to be three (landmark) palm trees which my grandfather had brought from Al Basra in Iraq. Even after we were relocated, we would always go there to get dates," recalls Abdulmoneim bin Suwaidan.
There is also Al Shindagha tunnel between Bur Dubai and Deira, which is for pedestrians and vehicles. The tunnel is the second passage to Deira (Deira mainland) after Al Maktoum Bridge.
People used to commute between Shindagha and Deira using abras. There was also a Kuwaiti dispensary which was financed and built by the Kuwait government. Al Shaab Elementary School also was built by Kuwait.
Cinema plaza, one of the oldest cinemas in Dubai, used to be there. There was also a taxi station for commuters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Shops were absent from the area except for the small grocery shops meeting the needs of the residents. It was mostly a residential area where everybody knew their neighbours and others in the community.
- mary@khaleejtimes.com