• An eye-catching view of the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. Pawan Singh / The National
    An eye-catching view of the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The impressive open-air venue is already proving a popular tourist attraction. Pawan Singh / The National
    The impressive open-air venue is already proving a popular tourist attraction. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors gaze at the artificial waterfall near the site. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors gaze at the artificial waterfall near the site. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The steep design of the amphitheatre is reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum. Pawan Singh / The National
    The steep design of the amphitheatre is reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The striking amphitheatre features 234 arches and 295 columns. Pawan Singh / The National
    The striking amphitheatre features 234 arches and 295 columns. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A view of the restaurant on top of the artificial waterfall. Pawan Singh / The National
    A view of the restaurant on top of the artificial waterfall. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The waterfall and restaurant. Pawan Singh / The National
    The waterfall and restaurant. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The amphitheatre by night. Pawan Singh / The National
    The amphitheatre by night. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The venue can accommodate more than 3,000 people. Pawan Singh / The National
    The venue can accommodate more than 3,000 people. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The terrace of the amphitheatre restaurant is a prime spot to unwind. Pawan Singh / The National
    The terrace of the amphitheatre restaurant is a prime spot to unwind. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The structure is inspired by Roman architecture. Pawan Singh / The National
    The structure is inspired by Roman architecture. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Khor Fakkan's Arabian Sea coast can be seen here. Pawan Singh / The National
    Khor Fakkan's Arabian Sea coast can be seen here. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors take in the vista and Roman-style columns. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors take in the vista and Roman-style columns. Pawan Singh / The National
  • An aerial view of the 17,650-square-metre, semi-circular Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. Wam
    An aerial view of the 17,650-square-metre, semi-circular Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. Wam
  • Visitors enjoy the venue by night. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors enjoy the venue by night. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The spectacular venue is captured by aerial drone
    The spectacular venue is captured by aerial drone
  • At the venue's opening festivities, thousands viewed the 'Khor Fakkan' film, depicting the emirate's struggle against a Portuguese invasion in the 1600s
    At the venue's opening festivities, thousands viewed the 'Khor Fakkan' film, depicting the emirate's struggle against a Portuguese invasion in the 1600s
  • The venue proved to be a major tourist attraction only days after its opening in December 2020
    The venue proved to be a major tourist attraction only days after its opening in December 2020

Thousands flock to Sharjah's new Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre in first week


  • English
  • Arabic

Thousands of visitors flocked to Sharjah's new Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre during the first week of its opening.

The impressive open-air venue was officially launched on Monday by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

More than 18,000 residents and tourists have already soaked up the atmosphere of the Roman-inspired tourist attraction, which can house up to 3,600 spectators.

The screening of the film Khorfakkan, documenting the town's invasion by the Portuguese in the 1600s, was the cornerstone of five days of festivities held to celebrate the grand opening of the culture spot.

The two-hour film, produced by Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, is based on a book written by the Ruler of Sharjah.

"The significant turnout of residents and visitors for the screening of Khorfakkan and the feedback we have received from the public attests to the fact that moments that shape history and connect the present with the legacy of the past leave a lasting impression on the current generation," said Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, director general of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority.

"The Portuguese invasion of 1507 is a little-known chapter of the UAE’s history, but the bravery and sacrifices of the city’s residents played a formative role in carving the foundations of our national identity."

A heritage village was set up at the site to showcase the rich variety of Emirati heritage, from its handicrafts to its colourful cuisine.

A spectacular firework display and a laser show wowed the crowds as the amphitheatre opened for business in style.

Covid-19 measures were strictly adhered to during the inaugural activities at the amphitheatre.

Popular Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi will headline the first concert at the amphitheatre on December 31.

Brief scores:

Manchester United 4

Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'

Fulham 1

Kamara 67' (pen),

Red card: Anguissa (68')

Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)

Company%C2%A0profile
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CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out  ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
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The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
​​​​​​​Princeton

Scream%20VI
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