Stargazing in Sharjah & why so many stars are named after Arab astronomers

UAE holiday: When in Sharjah, sign up for a desert safari, and make sure your package includes stargazing led by an astronomer. (Photo Courtesy: Sharjah Tourism)

Dubai may boast of ‘the tallest, biggest, shiniest’, but Sharjah wins you over with its quiet cultural charm. From museums that celebrate local heritage, to archaeological sites that reveal the region’s rich natural history, Sharjah lures in visitors who want to travel deeper.

Sharjah was declared the ‘Capital of Islamic Culture’ at the Organisation of Islamic Countries Conference in 2014. If you are planning your Eid 2024 (April 10) vacations, here are some must-visit attractions in Sharjah:

1) Get ready to be star-struck: Did you know that two-thirds of the stars are named after Arab astronomers? This harks back to the Golden Age of Islam when Arab astronomers contributed a wealth of information to the field.

Sign up for a desert safari with ‘Discover Mleiha’. Make sure your package includes stargazing, led by an astronomer. With uninterrupted views and low light pollution, the desert is among the best places to see the stars and planets. If you’re lucky - like we were - you’ll spot a nebula where new-born stars twinkle through the stardust.

2) Be a homebody: Visit Bait (House) al Naboodah, a heritage home that’s converted into a museum. Built in 1845, this was the abode of a wealthy pearl merchant, Obaid al Shamsi (also known as Al Naboodah). The house showcases Arabian architecture with a large, welcoming courtyard, flanked by teak columns, and intricately carved decor. Visit the two-storey museum to learn of the pearl-fishing history of the region, which was a major source of livelihood before the discovery of oil.

3) Travel through time: At Buhais Geological Park, you’ll walk into a museum that sits on a former seabed. The building is aptly shaped to resemble fossilised sea-urchins. See marine fossils from millions of years ago; glimpse a prehistoric burial site, and dive into the origin story of the United Arab Emirates.

Sharjah's Al Noor Masjid is open to the public, and the interiors display floral patterns and geometrical designs. (Photo Courtesy: Sharjah Tourism)

4) Look up: Drive through the emirate to admire the skyline dotted with Islamic architecture. Glimpse the Al Noor Masjid, flanked by two minarets. The mosque is open to the public and the interiors display floral patterns and geometrical designs. Most government buildings - The Municipality Headquarters, The Cultural Palace, The Ports Authority -  showcase Arab and Islamic architecture, characterised by domes, arches, Arabesque art, in a muted colour palette.