Latest news with #Shamsa
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Shamsa welcomes visitors to world of joy at Summer Promotions
The event engaged inbound travelers at Sharjah International Airport, extending a warm welcome to the emirate's visitors while showcasing the range of entertainment experiences available at Shamsa City. It also aimed to reinforce Sharjah's position as a leading family-friendly shopping and tourism destination that attracts thousands of visitors during the summer season. Shamsa The event featured the notable presence of Shamsa, the iconic mascot character symbolising the joy of Sharjah Summer Promotions. Shamsa greeted arriving families and children with warmth and cheerful spirit, interacting with guests and distributing valuable gifts, discount coupons, and free entry tickets to the exciting new Shamsa Entertainment City at Expo Centre Sharjah. The initiative sought to raise awareness of the new family-focused attraction and stimulate visitor engagement with the diverse activities and experiences featured in the Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 calendar. In his remarks, His Excellency Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, stated that the promotional event conveyed a direct message of welcome to Sharjah's visitors. A fully integrated family destination He noted that Sharjah, in addition to being a prime retail hub, is also a fully integrated family destination offering an innovative entertainment environment rooted in authentic values. This approach enhances the emirate's image, strengthens visitor engagement, and stimulates interest in the wide range of commercial, leisure, and tourism offerings presented during the Sharjah Summer Promotions campaign. For his part, Jamal Bouzanjal, General Coordinator of Sharjah Summer Promotions, said that choosing Sharjah International Airport as a promotional venue represents a strategic and effective approach to engaging with the Emirate's visitors and greeting them with child-friendly experiences, which encourage them to explore the new entertainment destination Shamsa City. 'The presence of the Shamsa mascot creates a memorable welcome, fostering a positive first impression and enabling visitors to associate Sharjah Summer Promotion with distinctive family-oriented leisure. These efforts strengthen the emirate's position as an attractive destination for families through its diverse entertainment and tourism portfolio,' he added. One of Sharjah's premier family attractions Positioned as one of Sharjah's premier family attractions, Shamsa Entertainment City is complemented by extensive retail promotions offering up to 75% discounts on diverse products and leading brands across more than 1,000 outlets. The entertainment venue will continue welcoming visitors until 30 August at Expo Centre Sharjah, operating daily from Sunday to Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The Hindu
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Review of The House of Girls by Sonia Rafeek
The fictional world of Sonia Rafeek's The House of Girls flickers in the chimerical light of the hurricane lamps that appear frequently in the narrative. The interplay of uncertain light engulfed all too soon by shadows, is perhaps a suitable metaphor for this novel within a novel, this shifting story that cracks open many other stories that are part-history, part-mythology, part-dawn, part-dusk. But The House of Girls, translated from the Malayalam by Ministhy S., is impossible to contain within a metaphor; it breaks free from its structure to offer irrepressible metafiction. At the outset, Nazia Hassan, a Malayali woman who works as a receptionist at a hospital in Dubai, receives a parcel that contains a novel. This novel, titled Bait Al Banat (The House of Girls), has been written by a mysterious namesake: 'With a pang, I touched the name of the author: Nazia Hassan! My fingers stilled on my name, and my palm became sweaty again.' With thrilling anticipation, she begins to read. The reader follows her into yet another Dubai, into a house in the Gold Souk area built in the 1950s, and into the lives of the three unmarried Arab women who lived there. The new novel tells of the fragile dignity of sisters Mariam, Soraiyya, and Shamsa. It delineates their worldly troubles, their charming predicaments, and the dangers they navigate as single women in the Deira region. The reader gleans that their mother died while giving birth to Shamsa, the youngest. Their father, Ahmad Manzuri, a pearl merchant who built Bait Al Banat, has remarried and moved out of the house. Mariam, the eldest, is 45 and prone to nostalgic yearnings. Soraiyya, tall, loquacious, and enterprising, runs a taxi business. Shamsa, oval-faced and in her 30s, is a teller of exotic stories: 'There was another world inside Shamsa, a secret world without the sand dunes, sky and sea.' Each sister forever a 'girl' to the Emiratis, who refer to all unmarried women by that somewhat diminutive noun. Shared chronicles While Shamsa's world of ephemeral magic comes alive in her storytelling, it is Deira, the sisters' palpable reality, which bustles with the business of the day. The narrative offers an early morning glimpse of the area through Mariam, who sits on the doorsteps of the house, pounding coffee for the kahwa. The souk's sellers have risen, and so have the children who were asleep in the barastis. Young girls in white tops and blue skirts make their way to a school on Al Rigga Street. As the narrative progresses, it magnifies the mercantile activities of the coastal town — British steamers approaching the coast, Bedouins with guns strapped on the shoulders in the gullies of the souk, the presence of Indian gold merchants in Dubai. The arrival of a British journalist, Rosa, is suggestive of the port city's early cosmopolitanism. The House of Girls oscillates between the sisters' third-person chronicles, and the receptionist Nazia's first-person account. Her own memories slide into Bait Al Banat, the novel she is reading. The house where the sisters lived was converted into a Women's Museum in 2012; she recalls visiting it for the first time in 2017: 'Though there was no picture of the trio, I imagined their faces based on the objects they owned.' Another Dubai, a contemporary Dubai in which Nazia's friends make chicken pizza from scratch, a city of lovers who converse through the delirium induced by paracetamol and vodka, is revealed through this narrative. The juxtaposition of the sisters' old city with Nazia's chic metropolis heightens the sense of time passing by, altering geographies, and reshaping traditions to suit an astonishing modernity. Too explanatory While The House of Girls is set up to delight with its narrative structure, its stylistic intent, its stories-within-stories that are as intricately stitched into the narrative as Mariam's embroidery, ultimately, it falls short of its early promise. The translation, in an attempt to remain faithful to the original Malayalam, is a bit too earnest and explanatory. Italicised words, strewn across the text, are accompanied by descriptions, even in dialogue: 'What about having some pao-bhaji — blend of spicy mashed potatoes served with butter-toasted buns…' Both narratives, the sisters' and Nazia's, feel stilted, and lack the whimsical freedom that could have made this metafiction soar above the heft of historical accuracy. This novel, although thematically fanciful, disappoints in its articulation. The reviewer is the author of two critically-acclaimed novels.
Sharjah 24
23-07-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SCCI launches app to boost eng. in Sharjah Summer Promotions
Designed to optimise user engagement, the app aims to elevate the overall customer experience by facilitating their participation in various promotional activities, events and raffles, offering an integrated interactive platform throughout Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025, which will run until September 1. Organised by SCCI and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), this year's edition features the participation of more than 1,000 retail outlets and entertainment destinations across all cities and regions of the emirate. The application serves as a dynamic engagement tool, allowing users to register purchase receipts from participating shopping centers and outlets to qualify for prize draws. Rewards include gold bars and numerous shopping vouchers. This strategic move aims to drive consumer spending, stimulate commercial activity, and boost tourism in Sharjah during the summer season. Equipped with an integrated database, the application provides users with up-to-date information related to Sharjah Summer Promotions' activities and events. This includes raffle draw conditions, timelines, locations, and winner announcements, supported by a live link to the official campaign website. Additionally, it highlights key promotional elements including the newly launched mascot character "Shamsa" and offers detailed insights into daily activities and participating venues throughout Sharjah. The application allows users to establish personalised accounts, ensuring seamless engagement in all year-round marketing and promotional activities organised by the Sharjah Chamber as part of the campaign. This feature enables real-time updates on all ongoing events. The app also includes a dedicated communication interface to facilitate direct user interaction, allowing for streamlined feedback and inquiries, thereby enhancing service quality and audience engagement. In his remarks, Jamal Bouzanjal, General Coordinator of Sharjah Shopping Promotions, said that the launch of the smart application reflects the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to advancing the digital infrastructure of the campaign. He noted that the app is designed to deliver a modern and user-centric shopping experience, marking a qualitative leap in audience engagement. It offers secure and convenient access to digital raffles and real-time information on event schedules, prizes, and partner outlets, ultimately supporting Sharjah's economic momentum and enhancing tourism flow throughout the summer season.
Sharjah 24
01-07-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 kicks off
Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the promotion features the participation of more than 1,000 retail outlets, major shopping centers, hotels, and tourist destinations. It is launched in collaboration with SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group and in coordination with several relevant government entities in the Emirate. A wealth of surprises for shoppers and residents This year's edition of Sharjah Summer Promotions promises a wealth of surprises for shoppers and residents, underscoring the Emirate's growing appeal as a premier global family-friendly summer destination for residents and international visitors alike. The 60-day campaign offers an exciting lineup of over 75 events, exclusive promotions, and massive discounts of up to 75 percent on a variety of products from top local and international brands. It also features raffles and exceptional prizes worth up to AED 3 million. This year, Sharjah Summer Promotions is introducing 'Shamsa', a newly launched mascot character designed to enhance the campaign's appeal to families and children and bring more joy, excitement, and positive energy to Sharjah's vibrant summer season. A wide array of entertainment and promotional activities This year's promotions include a wide array of entertainment and promotional activities across more than 19 summer destinations. Retail outlets and central markets are offering exclusive deals, backed by a robust entertainment schedule and six major raffle draws, starting July 10 and continuing through July 20, 31, August 10, 21, and concluding with the final draw on September 1. The prize pool features gold bars, high-value shopping vouchers, luxury gifts, and instant rewards from participating malls. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, stated: "Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 represents a significant strategic milestone in strengthening Sharjah's position as a comprehensive tourism and commercial destination. Organising this event reflects our ambitious vision to support the retail and tourism sectors by offering an exceptional experience that blends shopping, entertainment, and culture, meeting the aspirations of families and visitors from various age groups and cultural backgrounds." He added, "We believe that these initiatives are not merely seasonal events but are part of a long-term strategy aimed at solidifying Sharjah's status as a leading destination for tourism and commerce while enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors. Through close collaboration with our partners from government and private entities, we strive to make Sharjah Summer Promotions a platform that combines innovation and creativity, contributing to the Emirate's sustainable economic and social vision." For his part, His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, noted that Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 reflect the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to supporting economic activity and boosting the retail and tourism sectors in the Emirate. The campaign delivers a holistic community experience that blends shopping with entertainment in innovative formats aligned with the evolving preferences of families and diverse visitor segments. He added that the scale and vibrancy of this year's edition mark a key milestone in advancing Sharjah's seasonal events and underscore the Chamber's commitment to enhancing quality of life and reinforcing the Emirate's position as a premier shopping destination. A diverse portfolio of seasonal events and summer offerings Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 offer a diverse portfolio of seasonal events and summer offerings, ranging from entertainment programmes and educational workshops to summer camps. The schedule also includes weekly children's workshops and recreational events, in addition to marine activities hosted in the city of Khorfakkan. These are organised in collaboration with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Museums Authority, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, and commercial shopping centers. The programme also encompasses various hotel deals, with over 35 hotel packages provided by 23 hotel establishments. These packages include discounted rates on accommodation, dining, and beverages. Moreover, guests can enjoy complimentary tickets to popular tourist destinations in Sharjah, along with free credit for use at various hotel facilities. The Organising Committee of 'Sharjah Summer Promotions' introduces this year a smart application allowing users to participate in electronic raffle draws. It has also launched a digital platform through the official website, providing real-time access to top offers, daily events, discount campaigns, hotel packages, and direct booking links with participating partners. Both the application and the website facilitate automatic entry into exclusive prize draws for shoppers and hotel guests upon each registered purchase or booking made via official campaign channels, further enhancing user engagement and incentivising spending throughout the two-month promotional period.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SCCI, SCTDA launch Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 on July 1, introduce new mascot character 'Shamsa'
Sharjah, The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in cooperation with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), announced the launch of the 2025 edition of 'Sharjah Summer Promotions', which will run from July 1 to September 1. Considered the most prominent events on Sharjah's economic and tourism agenda, the promotion will feature the participation of over 1,000 retail outlets across all cities and regions of the emirate. It is organized in collaboration with SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group and in coordination with several concerned government entities within the emirate. This year, Sharjah Summer Promotions is introducing 'Shamsa', a newly launched mascot character designed to enhance the campaign's appeal to families and children. As the official promotional icon, Shamsa represents a renewed focus on interactive and family-oriented entertainment, reinforcing Sharjah's strategic positioning as a leading commercial, tourism, and family-friendly destination. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Monday at the Sharjah Chamber's headquarters. The event was attended by H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA; and H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). Also present were H.E Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Jamal Bouzanjal, General Coordinator of Sharjah Shopping Promotions; Abdullah Al Baloushi, Head of SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group; and Fadi Musharafieh, Head of SCCI's Hotel Sector Business Group, as well as several representatives from partner organizations and government bodies in the emirate. The press conference outlined the strategic vision and goals of Sharjah Summer Promotions, jointly organized by SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group in coordination with several concerned government entities within the emirate. This strategic partnership reflects a unified approach to integrating retail promotions, hospitality offers, and entertainment activities under a single platform. Its objective is to create a memorable summer shopping season for all family members, supported by a wide range of offers across Sharjah's major tourist attractions and family entertainment destinations. In his remarks, H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais stated that 'Sharjah Summer Promotions' embodies the Sharjah Chamber's forward-looking vision, inspired by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to solidify the emirate's status as a premier shopping destination and tourist attraction. He elucidated that the campaign supports ongoing efforts to strengthen the retail and tourism sectors as two key pillars of Sharjah's economic structure. 'Sharjah Summer Promotions not only benefits consumers but also represents a strategic platform that contributes to economic growth, especially as retail sales in the UAE are forecast to surpass AED 417.6 billion by 2026. Through this platform, the Sharjah Chamber and its partners aim to empower the business community to benefit from and contribute to this economic progress,' Al Owais added. Commenting on the campaign, H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, said: "Every year, we renew our commitment to offering a comprehensive summer experience that enriches the tourism sector and enhances the appeal of the Emirate of Sharjah locally, regionally, and globally. The 'Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025' campaign builds on the success of the previous edition, and through it, we aim to support our partners from both public and private sectors, while encouraging visits to tourist, cultural, and entertainment destinations in line with our vision to establish Sharjah as a vibrant destination throughout the year.' He added: 'This campaign is not merely a seasonal initiative but rather a reflection of our strategic vision, which focuses on strengthening collaboration across various sectors and achieving integration in delivering exceptional tourism experiences. We are confident that the 'Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025' will contribute to attracting more visitors, supporting the local economy, and solidifying the emirate's position as one of the leading tourist destinations in the region and the world." For his part, H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer said that Sharjah Summer 2025 campaign reflects Shurooq's strategic vision to position the emirate as a leading and competitive summer destination in the UAE and the wider region. It offers a well-rounded tourism experience centered around diversity, sustainability, and service excellence. 'Designed to meet the expectations of travelers of all ages, the campaign embodies Sharjah's commitment to delivering a dynamic tourism ecosystem that blends authenticity with innovation. It spans a wide range of hospitality assets and integrated destinations developed by Shurooq across Sharjah, Khorfakkan, Kalba, and other key locations — reinforcing the emirate's tourism infrastructure and driving sustained growth across both the tourism and hospitality sectors,' he added. Meanwhile, H.E Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi noted that promotional campaigns play an active role in revitalizing Sharjah's tourism sector, offering visitors an integrated experience that combines retail with cultural, family, and hospitality offerings. He emphasized that the Sharjah Chamber and its partners are committed to making the Summer Promotions a comprehensive marketing initiative that drives economic value and boosts the contribution of both the retail and tourism sectors to the emirate's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As part of Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 program, organizers introduced a newly designed child-friendly cartoon character dubbed 'Shamsa' which is created to bring a cheerful and lively spirit to the promotional campaign. Derived from the Arabic word 'shams' meaning sun, the mascot represents brightness, optimism, and creativity. Shamsa is positioned as a central element of Summer Promotions 2025's entertainment offering, which features a variety of recreational activities, artistic workshops, games, and live performances tailored to young audiences. As a key feature of this year's edition of Sharjah Summer Promotions, the Sharjah Chamber will organize an interactive children's festival titled 'Shamsa Entertainment City', set to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from July 15 to August 15. The festival is designed to offer an enjoyable experience for both children and their families, featuring a blend of games, recreational activities, and entertainment events. With a dedicated play area for children and diverse culinary offerings, the festival aims to attract families seeking a vibrant and festive summer atmosphere. Aisha Saleh, Director of Festivals and Promotions Department at SCCI and official spokesperson for Sharjah Summer Promotions, presented an overview of this year's program, highlighting the extensive participation of key shopping centers and retail stores throughout the emirate. Running over a two-month period, the Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 program includes an extensive lineup of promotional events, with a strong focus on large-scale discounts, reaching up to 75 percent across a broad selection of products and top local and global brands. This year's promotions include valuable prizes and raffle draws, with shopping vouchers for both retail customers and hotel guests, in addition to gold bars. Participating malls, central markets, and retail outlets across Sharjah have also allocated a wide selection of premium prizes, gifts and giveaways to enhance the overall shopping experience. The press conference featured remarks from campaign partners and a comprehensive overview of the exclusive offerings available across 19 summer destinations. Participating shopping centers and markets will introduce engaging promotions supported by an entertainment program and 6 scheduled raffle draws. The program also encompasses various entertainment events, retail offers, and hotel deals, with over 35 hotel packages provided by 23 hotel establishments. These packages include discounted rates on accommodation, dining, and beverages. Additionally, guests can enjoy complimentary tickets to popular tourist destinations in Sharjah, along with free credit for use at various hotel facilities. 'Sharjah Summer Promotions' features this year over 75 summer offerings including entertainment events, educational workshops, summer camps, and a wide range of family-friendly experiences. These are organized in collaboration with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Museums Authority, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, and commercial shopping centers. The schedule also includes weekly children's workshops and recreational events, in addition to marine activities hosted in the city of Khorfakkan. Sharjah Summer Promotions will introduce a smart application enabling users to participate in electronic raffle draws. The organizing committee has also launched an integrated digital platform at providing a full overview of all offers, discount packages, and services provided by event partners. The website includes direct booking links for hotels, shopping malls, entertainment programs, destination experiences, and more. Customers who make purchases at participating shopping centers or book hotel stays in Sharjah through the website will be eligible to enter raffles and win valuable prizes.
