AL MIDFA: SCTDA KEEN TO HIGHLIGHT EMIRATE'S ISLAMIC CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH WORLD-CLASS FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

SHARJAH, February 10, 2014

The Sharjah Light Festival 2014 is well underway from 12 locations across the Emirate as it shines the light on Sharjah's stunning Islamic architecture and heritage as part of its celebrations as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014. The Sharjah Light Festival uses vivid light displays and video projections by internationally acclaimed artists to bring out the beauty of the Emirate's Arab and Islamic architecture.   

Among the new SLF sites is the grand new Sharjah City Municipality building that is turned into a spectacular artistic icon when the light shapes and formations are displayed on its interface. Another major attraction is the show at Dr. Sultan Al Qassimi Centre of Gulf Studies. This show is a tribute to the centre's unique collection: centuries-old cartography. The history of the region and earth itself are illuminated on the façade, as the dome becomes a luminous sphere representing the other half of what exists inside the centre. 

This year five celebrated mosques of the Emirate have been part of the Light Festival locations and highlight the proud Islamic heritage of the Emirate which is home to more than 600 mosques, each one of them an example of fine Islamic architecture and design.

The five mosques include Malek Faisal, which is the largest mosque in Sharjah, and Al Taqwa (Al Majaz) in Sharjah City, and three on the East Coast including Masjid Omar Bin Al Khattab of Khorfakkan, Masjid Hamza Bin Abdul Mottaleb of Kalba and Masjid Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Qassimi of Dibba Al Hisn.   

Commenting on the special nature of the Sharjah Light Festival festivities this year, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority emphasised the Authority's keenness to highlight the unique Islamic cultural identity of the Emirate through festivals and events such as the Sharjah Light Festival which this year celebrates the theme of Sharjah the Islamic Cultural Capital 2014. 

He said that the Authority this year had especially chosen landmarks and locations that celebrate this authentic Arab and Islamic heritage and architecture of the Emirate. 

Al Midfa said that the Sharjah Light Festival has earned itself a special place in the region's calendar of events and the first and largest of its kind in the Middle East attracting thousands of tourists.  This has over the years added to people's expectations and added to the Authority's responsibility to improve the Festival year on year to make it a major international art and entertainment event. 

He said that Sharjah has been able to strengthen its historical and cultural eminence in the region and around the world through its world-class festivals and cultural and tourism projects and truly deserved the crown of the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014 and Arab Tourism Capital for 2015.

The Sharjah Light Festival got off to a spectacular start on Thursday night with His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, giving it the green light at the new Sharjah Municipality building.  The opening was attended by a large gathering of dignitaries, senior officials and special media invitees from around the world. 

The Sharjah Light Festival will run until February 14 at 12 locations that include Sharjah City Municipality, Kuwait Square, Cultural Palace Square, King Faisal Mosque, Al Taqwa (Al Majaz) Mosque, Al Majaz Waterfront, Central Souk, Al Qasba (Internal façade), Dr. Sultan Al Qassimi Centre of Gulf Studies, Hamza Bin Abdul Mottaleb Mosque in Kalba, and Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Khorfakkan. The performances will be held every night from 7pm to 11pm on weekdays and until midnight during weekends.

The Sharjah Light Festival is free to attend and runs daily from 7.30pm onwards.  A full programme of activities and further details are available at the official website www.slf.ae

-Ends-

About Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA):
Established in 1996 by the Government of Sharjah, the SCTDA has been in the forefront of promoting and taking Sharjah to the world with its relentless efforts and unmatched enthusiasm. The Authority constantly explores possibilities and avenues of promoting and developing tourism and commercial sectors in the emirate through special events, activities and festivals at home and around the world. It pursues its goals by planning and drawing up strategic plans to promote and develop tourism sector in all its forms.  It conducts social and economic research and studies as well to evolve its strategies and pursue its goals.  And as part of its strategy to promote Sharjah, SCTDA participates in local, regional and international exhibitions, focusing on the factors of distinction and exclusivity.

The SCTDA works to raise public awareness locally, regionally and internationally about the unique features and strengths of Sharjah's tourism product and leisure and investment destination. As a result, Sharjah has emerged as a favourite holiday destination for visitors from around the world, especially those from Europe and neighbouring Gulf countries

Sharjah has come to be recognised as the home of Arab and Islamic culture and civilisation, it was declared the Cultural Capital of the Arab world in 1998 by Unesco. Recently, the Arab tourism ministers' summit in Cairo selected Sharjah as the Capital of Arab Tourism for Year 2015.

Sharjah Light Festival is on social media:
Instagram: @shjtourism #SLF
Twitter: @Sharjahtourism #SLF

© Press Release 2014