Five historic areas of Sharjah and Dubai have become the latest in the UAE to be recognised as key heritage sites in the Islamic world.
The archaeological sites have been inscribed in the Islamic World Heritage List, overseen by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Icesco).
The Islamic counterpart to Unesco's World Heritage List features landmarks spanning countries across continents – from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Palestine to Malaysia, Sudan, Senegal, Libya and Uzbekistan.
Icesco has the goal of protecting and conserving the “rich, dense, eclectic cultural diversity” of the Islamic world.
The newly listed sites are in Sharjah are Wadi Al Helo, Al Faya, Nahwa area and the towers and forts of Khor Fakkan, bringing the total number in the emirate with heritage status to 10. They are joined by Saruq Al Hadid in Dubai.
Mapping out Sharjah's newly inscribed sites
Wadi Al Helo was a prominent copper mining site in the Bronze Age and, similar to Al Faya, was a hub of early human settlement.
Nahwa, the second-order enclave endearingly known as the “doughnut hole” by geography enthusiasts, showcases traditional mountain living.
Khor Fakkan, an exclave of the Sharjah emirate, is known for its strategic role in trade and defence. The city's defensive system and port used to be a Portuguese stronghold.
Uncovering the past in Dubai desert
Saruq Al Hadid, the name of which roughly translates as “Way of Iron”, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the UAE.
It was occupied from the Umm An Nar period, which began in around 2600 BCE, through to about 1000 BCE in the Iron Age, when copper and bronze were smelted. Smelting also occurred during the subsequent Islamic period.
"The inclusion of five heritage sites from the United Arab Emirates on the tangible heritage list of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) confirms the country’s commitment to preserving its historical sites and strengthening their regional and international presence," said Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture.
Cultural capital
The sites join the existing heritage spots on the list, such as the Heart of Sharjah and Sharjah Fort (Al Hosn), which were the first sites in the country to be inscribed in 2022. Al Sadu and falconry are part of the list as intangible heritage.
Issa Yousef, director general of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, said the achievement underlined the emirate's vision to preserve archaeological heritage and promote research, education, and sustainable tourism.
"This inclusion marks an important milestone in preserving Sharjah’s cultural legacy and underscores the significance of these sites as living records of human memory and the evolution of civilizations across thousands of years," Mr Yousef said.
The inscription of these sites comes only months after Sharjah had its first landmark added to Unesco's World Heritage list.
The Faya Palaeolandscape was recognised with the distinction, joining a prestigious list that includes Egypt's pyramids, India's Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.
The sprawling area includes one of the oldest uninterrupted records of ancient human habitation, dating back more than 210,000 years.
The landmark site is open to the public, with guided tours offering visitors a unique window into centuries of history.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the UAE's first regional office of Icesco in Sharjah's University City in November.
