Fujairah opens majlises in remote areas
Residents of Al Siji, Habhab, Wadi Seder and Awhala say the four venues are welcome additions to community life
FUJAIRAH // Residents of remote areas in Fujairah can now gather in four new majlises to socialise and work on projects to develop their home towns. Last month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, opened the majlises – an Arabic term that means a place of sitting – in Al Siji, Habhab, Wadi Seder and Awhala to serve those communities.
The Fujairah Foundation for Region Development is managing the venues. Each has a kitchen, toilets, two storage rooms and majlis space for 30 people.
The venues also have ballrooms that can accommodate 400 people for celebrations, social activities and funerals. Residents can book the ballrooms for a reasonable price.
“People’s happiness, social cohesion and community development are part of our leader’s vision and desires, and establishing majlises in remote areas will help to achieve this goal,” said Abdullah Al Hamoor, general supervisor of the majlises.
The majlises are open daily from 8.30am to 10pm and they serve coffee, tea, dates and water.
“Residents visit the majlis and enjoy one another’s company. They chat, share thoughts and ideas. They also discuss their issues and life experiences,” Mr Al Hamoor said.
Residents of Al Siji welcomed the new majlis. “The majlis has created a kind of harmony between us and made us more united. It’s a great idea and we are so thankful to our wise leader and Ruler of our emirate, Sheikh Hamad, for launching such an initiative,” said Obeid Al Teniji, 37. “We gather from different generations, share our expertise and take advice from the elders. We talk about our traditions, life’s challenges and how to take part in the area’s development.”
Al Siji lacks a football field, a public park, street lights and a pharmacy. The new majlis, however, offers residents the opportunity to take up these issues with the foundation.
“This initiative made us feel proud of our leader and placed us on the right track to help improve the area and raise our issues with the authorities,” said Abdullah Al Zahmi, 40.
“I visit the majlis every weekend and we spend hours talking and sharing ideas and concerns.”
Mr Al Hamoor said the foundation had already begun working on a development plan for Al Siji after getting residents’ suggestions, and it had contacted the municipality about building a football pitch.
“Public satisfaction is our main goal,” he said.