Al Qasba's Ramadan Heritage Programme provides visitors a traditional respite

Open from 8.30pm to midnight daily, this event featuring the rich and traditional lifestyle of the culturally rich UAE people, is attracting visitors from all nationalities this Ramadan.

Visitors of Al Qasba heritage tent can experience the Emirati lifestyle and the true to the famed Emirati hospitality, where they are greeted with coffee and dates, offering a warm respite.

After a successful run last year, this year's Heritage activities feature different distinct lifestyles of a bygone era including the Bedouin Life, Sea Life, Mountain Life and a more Modern Life and Market of the UAE people. Each theme, resplendent in their own rich history and heritage showcase the special tools and crafters who bring it alive to visitors.

Offering a peek into the past of a race that is steeped in their own special culture and heritage, the Al Qasba Ramadan Tent is full of fascinating insights, kiosks selling wonderful traditional knick knacks and a relaxing atmosphere.

The event which caters for all cultures provides visitors with a deep understanding of the UAE and its people.

Unique fragrances and perfumes are an integral part of the UAE culture, and visitors can purchase some of the finest handmade local fragrances at the perfume kiosk run by UAE national women who have specialised in the handmade perfume industry. A purchase from the finest and most intricate handmade clothes by another UAE national is also a must for visitors.

This year's events also include the opportunity for visitors to try their hands at weaving palm fronds with an elderly UAE national woman who specialises in creating household items with the raw material. Live demonstrations of beautiful handcrafted pottery, fishing nets, carpets made out of palm trees are other heritage events attracting the young and the old alike this time round.

A great treat for the visitors are the traditional Emarati foods such as the "Regag" bread, the mouthwatering sweet "El Qulimat", the special UAE bread "Khameer" and the traditional desert "Khabis" served along the canal. The traditional ware cooked by UAE national women on spot are delicious as well as interesting to watch.

Incorporating Al Qasba's family atmosphere, the heritage area also provides children with charming traditional games and conventional swings and seesaws used by youngsters of a bygone age. And after all the excitement, they can stretch their legs at Al Manamah (or Majlis), the traditional seating area and sip some coffee with dates offered to all visitors.

Besides the special Ramadan activities, visitors can also enjoy the daily happenings at Al Qasba including savouring the food from some of the best dining destinations in Sharjah, an Abra boat ride under the stars and a ride in the Etisalat - Eye of the Emirates, the tallest observatory wheel in the region.