Hisn Khor Fakkan, a new archaeological museum, is located in a renovated fort and is now open to the public. Courtesy Sharjah Museums
Hisn Khor Fakkan, a new archaeological museum, is located in a renovated fort and is now open to the public. Courtesy Sharjah Museums
Hisn Khor Fakkan, a new archaeological museum, is located in a renovated fort and is now open to the public. Courtesy Sharjah Museums
Hisn Khor Fakkan, a new archaeological museum, is located in a renovated fort and is now open to the public. Courtesy Sharjah Museums

New museum in Khor Fakkan tells of the city’s colourful history through artefacts


Melissa Gronlund
  • English
  • Arabic

One of the biggest battles in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that wraps around the UAE peninsula, came in the early 1500s, when the Portuguese navy fought to gain control of trade routes between India and Europe. 

The Portuguese fleet, led by Afonso de Albuquerque, attacked Arab coastal cities and, crucially, the island of Hormuz, from which they established their dominance over the region. 

Khor Fakkan, a city on the western edge of the peninsula within the emirate of Sharjah, was a major battle in this campaign. It was one of the largest ports of the time, with numerous Indian merchants living there, and a healthy trade in horses, which were bred in Khor Fakkan and exported to India. Wheat, millet, citrus fruits, figs and dates were also grown and traded from the city. But in 1507, Albuquerque sacked it, razing most of the city to the ground and ordering his men to cut off the ears and noses of any residents who resisted.

More recently, over the past 40 years, archeologists have been uncovering evidence of these and other histories from this long-established town. And earlier this month, the Sharjah Museums Authority opened Hisn Khor Fakkan, a museum in a renovated fort, which will tell the story of these remains. 

“It’s remarkable what archaeological teams have ­discovered in artefacts and sites in only 40 years of ­dedicated work in Sharjah,” says Manal Ataya, director-­general of Sharjah Museums Authority. “It is our duty as a museum to ensure the objects and their stories are available to the public and do not ­remain unknown. We ­especially are proud to open this ­museum, so the residents of Khor ­Fakkan continue to feel ­ownership and great pride in their history and heritage.” 

The museum is one of a number of capital projects that are being undertaken in Khor Fakkan and the western coast. The Sharjah Art Foundation also run workshops in the city, and use the former ice factory in Kalba, about 40 minutes south of Khor Fakkan city, as an exhibition venue. The city is also home to a number of the UAE's important artists, such as ­Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim and Abdullah Al Saadi, both of whose works have been inspired by the area's rocky landscape. 

The new archeological museum was launched with the screening of a film about the 1507 conquest of the city. Maritime history is a particularly important topic for the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. For a book published in the late 1980s, Al Qasimi researched British naval involvement in the Gulf, arguing that the British created a fallacy of Arab piracy as a casus belli for naval engagement. 

It's important for us to inspire a new generation of UAE historians and archaeologists to continue unravelling its history. 

Hisn Khor Fakkan will ­explore the history of the western coastal town, as well as the rock carvings that the mountainous area is known for. Several carvings show people hunting or dancing, walking or riding on horseback, while others depict the animals that would have been common in the region, such as goats and sheep. More recent carvings are inscriptions in Arabic and Kufic script. 

The museum also plays a part in the capacity-building projects of Sharjah, notes Ataya. "It's important for us to inspire a new generation of UAE historians and archaeologists to continue unravelling its history. Therefore, all new staff of the museum are ­university graduates from Khor Fakkan, with backgrounds in history, social sciences and archaeology." 

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The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

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Retail gloom

Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.

It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.

The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017

Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa

Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

Infiniti QX80 specs

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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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While you're here
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

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The biog

Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.

His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.

“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.

"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”

Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.

He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking. 

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4