Sharjah's Al Mujarrah: A place where cultures thrive

Al Mujarrah stands out for the distinctive heritage and traditions it features - from its mosques to streets lined with colourful shops and stores showcasing people's craftsmanship. - Photos by M. Sajjad

For many who are not familiar with Sharjah ahead of the opening of the Sharjah Art Foundation's Rain Room or the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Al Mujarrah is not a well-known place.
An inconspicuous stretch of land facing the Sharjah Corniche, Al Mujarrah extends from the Arabian Gulf Street to the west until the Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Street to the east.
However, it's not Al Mujarrah Park, the Rain Room or the Islamic Museum that makes the locality special. It only enhances an already exceptional neighbourhood.
A six-minute drive from the Sharjah Clock Tower, Al Mujarrah is home to a large number of Pakistani families. Take Amr Bin Thabet Street in the neighbourhood, for example.
Community-centric shopping
A section of the street is home to some of the best- known Pakistani supermarkets, meat shops, bakeries, boutiques, tailoring and embroidery workshops, and even a mud-oven store that sells special tandoors in clay and metal for restaurants and homes. Tandoor is a cylindrical clay or metal oven used in cooking and baking in the northern Indian subcontinent.
"During the summer, we have a mango-eating competition. There are big celebrations in this square during Eid Al Fitr, the Pakistan Independence Day, etc. We have live musicians and traditional food, and families with kids come even from Abu Dhabi to enjoy the festivities," said Muhammad Gulraiz, the 27-year-old director of Pakistan Supermarket.
Food from four provinces
Gulraiz's father, Muhammed Yaseen, started the supermarket in 1987. The business expanded under Yaseen's guidance and, now, the family owns the nearby bakery, sweet shop and meat shop. They are also planning the launch of their own restaurant.
"Now, we have 21 stores all across the UAE," explained Gulraiz. From dried pomegranate seeds to fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh clarified butter (ghee) to sweets from all four provinces of Pakistan, the store is immensely popular among the Pakistani community.
"Fresh fruits and vegetables are imported every day. People come here to buy authentic Sarson ka Saag (a vegetarian dish from Punjab), jams, pickles, syrups and even earthen pots for cooking," he added.
Tired shoppers are treated to snacks such as pizzas, stuffed naan (bread), falooda (cold beverage with vermicelli, jellies and fruit), sweet milk tea, and other fresh juices at the nearby Methaq Alzafran Patisserie.
Saifullah Lal Khan, manager of the store, said: "We have started a special Suhoor menu for this Ramadan, as it is very busy at this time of the year. People stay here till three in the morning, enjoying saag, dal, lassi, etc." Located on the opposite side of the street, Naseeb Bakery is acclaimed for its delicious chaat (savoury snacks) and hot teas. Families and bachelors are often seen seated outside these eateries in the evening.
For those with a sweet tooth, Pakistan Sweets is a paradise. "Kulfi falooda, rasmalai, kheer, shahi tukra, dodh dolari are very popular during the festive season," Khan added. "Pakistanis generally love food. I've noticed that the quality here is better," said the patisserie's cook, Faizan Naseer, a young chef from Gujranwala, near Punjab.
Traditional clothing for all
Muhammed Nazir, a tailor in a clothing and embroidery store, sells clothes for Dh35 to Dh110. "We have closed orders for Ramadan and Eid. It is too busy. We are a nine-year-old store, and we sell everything from Pakistani cotton, chiffon, party dresses, bridal wear, everything," said Nazir.  
Mirza Haziq, an Indian from Uttar Pradesh, is a salesman at another  embroidery store in Al Mujarrah. "The ladies bring special  textile, and we do the embroidery work for them. Most of our customers are Emiratis or from Oman." 
For most, the neighbourhood is a place where one can enjoy some peace and quiet.
"Al Mujarrah is a peaceful locality. As Pakistanis, we enjoy our food, culture, music, and try to keep our traditions alive," said Gulraiz as he sipped his tea ahead of the evening prayers.
Must know
1-Reasons to celebrate
Al Mujarrah neighbourhood always finds a reason to celebrate, especially during summer. Pakistani Independence Day, Eid or any other festival could be one of the reasons. Live music and traditional food are always part of the festivities and families from as far as Abu Dhabi travel to Sharjah to join the celebrations. During the summer, the community organises a mango-eating competition for the residents
2-A food-lovers' paradise
Pakistanis are famous for their love for food and the neighbourhood is the best place to have some traditional dishes. From Pakistani rotis and naans (bread) to sweets and chaats, shops on Amr Bin Thabet Street in Al Mujarrah offer you everything Pakistani. Dried pomegranate seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh clarified butter (ghee) and sweets from all four provinces of Pakistan are available here
3-Islamic Museum
The neighbourhood houses Sharjah's two major attractions, the Sharjah Art Foundation's Rain Room and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation. A six-minute drive from Sharjah Clock Tower, the art foundation hosts regular exhibitions and the Sharjah Biennial. Al Mujarrah Park is the ideal place for families to spend a nice evening together. The neighbourhood also offers some best shopping experiences
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com