NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

The museum is an avenue that gives people a chance to learn about
the flora and fauna of the Arabian Desert. The museum has various interesting thematic areas like " A journey through Sharjah Emirate", "Man's Environment", " A journey through time", "The living desert",
"The living sea" etc. A children's farm was recently added and it
gives children the chance to have close contact with farm animals. A Breeding Center for endangered Arabian Animals is also part of the museum.

SHARJAH ART MUSEUM

Located in the Arts area, Sharjah Art Museum is in harmonious coexistence with the other five heritage buildings. It has state of the
art interior facilities matching international standards. Apart from
display of permanent collections of the museum, it holds periodic art exhibitions for local as well as international artists. Other activities of the museum include organizing exhibitions in coordination with the Art Directorate, art museums, fine arts societies and other cultural establishments. The Art Library at the museum, which supports
studying, teaching and researching, is also well equipped with books, periodicals and other relevant materials both in print and electronic formats.

SHARJAH POLICE MUSEUM

Sharjah Police Museums displays various riot and combat gears along with different type of pistols, hand rifles, automatic weapons, batons and handcuffs. Also on display are the first "police uniform" of 30 years ago, and models of the old walls and forts around Sharjah. Exhibits related to the administrative side of police work and awards received
are also displayed.

Other display items include:

" Fingerprint kits
" Counterfeit money
" Hardware used to commit crimes
" Drug paraphernalia
" Various forms of communication used over the years

SHARJAH SCIENCE MUSEUM

Sharjah Science Museum is the first interactive science and
technology center in the U.A.E. The exhibition hall is designed to stimulate the visitors' curiosity about the world around them.
It contains 50 hands-on exhibits that cover a wide range of topics,
from human performance to the physics of rotating objects. Visitors
can continue their exploration by taking part in the science demonstrations or the planetarium shows. The learning center, with
its modern science and computer labs, provides curriculum-related workshop to schools, on a pre-booked basis. At the museum, children and adults can have fun while learning.

SHEIK SAEED HOUSE AND HISN KALBA

It is a traditional house of Sheik Saeed bin Hamad Al Qassimi built over 100 years ago where many agreements and treaties with the British government were signed. The poetical verse written on one of its walls that reads as presented here depicts Sharjah's rich cultural magnificence.

"Oh house may grief be away from you. And happiness always be for your inhabitants. You are the best place for every guest while you are welcoming resort for every visitor".

It is one of the defensive forts, built near the UAE's eastern coast.
Used for control, reconnaissance and defense, the fort is 120 meters high and quadrilateral in shape. Its walls took the shape of a pyramid with the visibly clear slope and decline.

THE DISCOVERY CENTER

The center provides children up to 13 years old, a place where the science and technology in their lives are presented in a way that
makes sense to them. The Discovery Center, which is the only interactive hands-on children's museum in the UAE, is a place where imagination, play and fun are all part of the learning process. The exhibits are grouped into thematic areas that reflect the child's living environment.
In this familiar world of roads, waterfront, shop, bank and more,
children feel comfortable exploring, discovering and learning.

THE PLANETARIUM

The planetarium organizes shows on special topics of astronomy including navigation by the stars. It was part of the Arab Maritime Transport Academy and was gifted to the Government of Sharjah when the Academy relocated to Alexandria.

Shows are held usually for government schools and science clubs throughout the Emirates. Other groups may also attend, but by prior arrangement and written permission from the Department of Culture
and Information.

AL HISN MUSEUM

Al Hisn used to be the residence of the ruling family in Sharjah for
about 200 years. It is the home for the beloved memories the Sharjah people inherited one generation after another. A social center and a public forum where citizens used to meet for happy and sad occasions. It became the symbol of their pride as well as their safe resort. Built by His Highness the late Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qassimi in 1820, it preserved its official as well as public status until 1969, when a part of the house was removed due to structural changes the city underwent. The house was rebuilt under the instructions and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Court and Ruler of Sharjah. The museum is divided into two levels:

The Ground Floor

It consists of three sections:
¢ The forefront of the Hisn, that consists of Custody Room, Morning Entrance, Mahlousa Tower and Al Qassimi Library.
¢ The eastern pavilion, that consists of the Event Room, Teaching
Room and Faces Room.
¢ The northern pavilion, that consists of the Sharjah City Room, Pearl Trade Room and Acquisitions Room.

The Upstairs

It consists of four rooms: Weapons Room, Ruler's Living Room,
Sheikhs and Dignitaries Room, Al Hisn Project Room (which shows
the rebuilding of Al Hisn Fort). Al Hisn also has a Rest House and
a VIP Room. In the traditions of other heritage museums in Sharjah,
Al Hisn Museum receives its visitors with coffee and dates, symbolic
of Arab hospitality.

THE MAHATAH MUSEUM

Al Mahatah Museum portrays the innovations and achievements of
the modern century, which have become part of Sharjah's heritage.
It offers a spectacular cruise among the ancient innovations including the development of aviation in Sharjah, which began in the second quarter of twentieth century. Al Mahatah, otherwise known as the old airport is presently a unique museum displaying old aviation industry related articles. It was planned and designed by British engineers, but built by local people from Sharjah, whose efforts helped complete the project within minimum cost. The old control tower, land service center and maintenance workshops can also be seen.

ARABIA'S WILD LIFE CENTER

With over a hundred species of animals, the wildlife focuses on Arabian wildlife. Set in varying natural habitats, it shows the rich and diverse wildlife population of the Arabian Peninsula. Its famous inhabitant includes the desert leopard and oryx. The center has distinct areas housing different groups of animals:
1. Reptile and Insect House
2. Aviary
3. The Nocturnal House
4. Viewing Area
5. Wild animal area
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

The museum displays archeological items in a chronological order, starting with the earliest findings in the Emirate of Sharjah, up
to the period preceding the advent of Islam. Displays halls are
equipped with computer systems that enable visitors to easily
access information about the items on display. It also provides
children with interesting games related to the museum archeological exhibits.

HERITAGE MUSEUM

One of the traditional historic buildings in Sharjah, the Heritage
Museum earlier known as Bait al Naboodah gives a picture of the
civilized heritage of the Emirate. It is built in traditional Islamic
style and displays the authentic Arabic architectural design of yesteryears. The Museum, which was the house of the Al
Naboodah family, consists of its preserved living rooms and old
kitchen depicting the past way of life. It has a section displaying traditional garments and robes worn in public those days in
addition to a number of heritage items, which will be of interest
to the visitor. Visitors also get a chance to watch a documentary
film on Sharjah.

Al Majlis. This museum shows the Majlis of Ibrahim Al Midfa, one of the prominent personalities of the UAE. It also displays his books, papers, photographs and personal items. Al Naboodah Majlis is located next to Baut Al Naboodah. These "Majlises" were and still are special meeting rooms set aside for the men folk and their male guest.

Al Arsah Souk is a narrow alley where vendors sell silver jewelry,
Indian handicrafts, daggers, Gulf pearls and some antiques in the
heart of the old Sharjah. Tucked away behind a row of shops,
cafeterias and a mosque on the waterfront the shops retain the
old look and the souk (shopping center) has a traditional coffee
shop where people gather to pay cards or dominoes.

Bait Al Gharbi "Western House". It is the 100-year-old house of
Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qassimi (the former ruler of Sharjah).
This Western House which was the second residence for the Sheikh
is now a traditional museum that displays traditional living areas, crockery, coffeepots and cooking utensils. The three different
types of wind towers protrude above the level of the main structure providing a unique feature in this traditionally designed house.

ISLAMIC MUSEUM

The museum exhibits a range of important Islamic artifacts and manuscripts expressing the supremacy of the distinct Islamic heritage.
It contains a number of scientific, literary and religious manuscripts
along with several collections of the arts and crafts of the Islamic civilization, including clay, pottery, glass as well as metallic handi-
crafts inlayed with silver, gold and brass. They represent civilized
Islamic lifestyles for more than 1400 years. The museum also exhibits various Islamic mints, dating to both Abbaside and Omayyad eras.

These mints include collections of silver Dinar and Dirhams. Other
major attractions here are the many scientific systems, especially astronomical ones and the archeological findings that date back to Islamic era, found in various excavation sites in Sharjah.