Souq Al Freej: Fashion, food, accessories, heritage market in Sharjah
Visitors can snap up diverse products, unique Emirati-inspired items
Sharjah: If you want to explore fashion, food, accessories and products inspired by Emirati heritage, head down to “Souq Al Freej” Ramadan market in Sharjah.
Opened recently as part of the 34th edition of Sharjah Ramadan Festival, the Ramadan market is located at Sharjah National Park, and runs until April 4.
The platform is spearheaded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), which underscores its commitment to bolstering small and medium-sized ventures and supporting productive families, offering them a way to showcase their products.
The event also features a diverse range of products and merchandise tailored to meet Ramadan shoppers’ preferences.
Heritage village
The market also includes shopping stalls (booths) for participants to display and market their products, as well as a heritage village, a restaurant lounge serving local and traditional cuisine, and entertainment activities and games for children.
Also present were Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi, Director General of SCCI, and Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector in SCCI, as well as Ibrahim Rashid Al Jarwan, Director of Economic Relations and Marketing at SCCI and General Coordinator of the Sharjah Ramadan Festival.
The “Souq Al Freej” Ramadan market also embodies the collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to organise innovative marketing initiatives that bolster trade activity across the Sharjah Emirate, reinforcing its stature as a unique tourist destination, said Al Owais.
It also aligns with a comprehensive strategic vision that is aimed at achieving sustainable economic development and fortifying the emirate’s position as a leading commercial and economic hub in the region.
Explore local products
The market also offers visitors and clients the opportunity to explore the UAE’s local products, said Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi, who said the event marks a qualitative addition to the Sharjah Ramadan Festival’s activities and accomplishments.
The chamber has also underscored its unwavering commitment to boosting small and medium-sized ventures, while nurturing social cohesion during the holy month, as families come together to enjoy a heritage-inspired shopping experience reflected in the diverse products on display.
Ibrahim Rashid Al Jarwan noted that the fact that the Sharjah Chamber organises the event imbues the Sharjah Ramadan Festival with a unique heritage flair.
Aside from international brands, the “Souq Al Freej” market showcases one-of-a-kind local products offered by productive families and innovation-based household small entrepreneurs, who strive to develop products and establish brands that can achieve resonance among shoppers seeking unique Emirati-inspired items.
Community platform
For her part, Aisha Saleh, the official spokesperson for the Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2024, highlighted that the event serves as a platform for Sharjah’s community and visitors to indulge in the Ramadan shopping experience and bolster local businesses.
She added that the initiative opens channels of communication between productive families, owners of small businesses, and budding entrepreneurs on one side, and shoppers and enthusiasts who seek unique locally inspired products on the other side.
The “Souq Al Freej” Ramadan market features a diverse range of products that harmonise with the traditions of the holy month, ranging from the Ramadan traditional attire, popular delicacies, and sweet dishes, to the handcrafted accessories and souvenirs.
Visitors also have the chance to indulge in Ramdan’s delicious cuisines by sampling some of its diverse dishes that are prepared based on the traditional Emirati recipes, immersing themselves in an exceptional Ramadan atmosphere and ambiance that contributes a special essence to shopping experience.
Timings: Open daily from 7:30pm until 1am
Date: Until April 4, 2024