This post was first written on May 28 2021 and last updated on 6 February 2024.
At the Islamic World Garden, you can learn history, relax, play and eat. Join me on this tour of the park which is also home to two cultural monuments.
Learn about Muslim scholars of the past by walking through the Islamic World Garden outside Sharjah University City. Twenty-four granite monuments each tell the story of a different Muslim scholar and their contributions to the world.
Just a few of those mentioned are the astronomer Al Zarqali, inventor and engineer Bin Firnas and philosopher, astronomer and mathematician Al Kindi. You can also learn more about these scholars and others at Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.
At the end of the garden stands the Arab Cultural Capital Monument celebrating Sharjah’s title of the Capital of Arab Culture in 1998 and at the other, a fountain, play park, a restaurant, Thai Gate.
Further along, is another fountain, play park and restaurant, Caya Cafe, and another impressive monument, Islamic Culture Capital Monument celebrating Sharjah being named the Islamic Culture Capital in 2014.
Islamic Cultural Capital Monument
Sharjah was named the Islamic Cultural Capital for 2014 for its rich Islamic culture and events, such as the Islamic Arts Festival and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.
Launched in 2005, the award is an initiative of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). It celebrates the cultural contributions and heritage of cities in the Islamic world and encourages a sense of belonging to the larger Islamic civilization.
Around the monument are 28 verses of the Holy Quran, which refer to the pursuit of knowledge and science. At the top are twelve columns crowned with a gold dome.
Arab Culture Capital Monument
Sharjah was awarded the title of Arab Culture Capital in 1998 in recognition of the city’s drive to preserve and promote Arab culture through cultural and intellectual events and activities.
The Arab League set up the award under the UNESCO Cultural Capitals Program to celebrate the rich cultural heritage in the Arab world and stimulate cultural exchange in the region.
The UNESCO programme grants the award to cities that host various cultural events, such as theatre, art exhibitions, traditional festivals and book fairs.
If you’re a long-term UAE resident, you may remember that the Arab Culture Capital Monument originally stood on a small hill opposite Sharjah Desert Park. A new very similar monument was erected in the Islamic Garden in 2014.
Caya Cafe and Thai Gate
Inside the two decorative pavilions are two restaurants. While I haven’t eaten at Thai Gate, I’ve heard good things about it. I’ve been to Caya Cafe several times for breakfast and dinner and can recommend both the food and the atmosphere.
Now you’re ready to head down to the Islamic World Garden, learn something new, relax in the park and enjoy some tasty food to round it all off.
The Islamic World Garden is included in my walking tour of Sharjah University City in my e-book, Exploring the Emirate of Sharjah – Walking and cycling tours and itineraries in the city and Central and Eastern Regions – buy now
Buy Exploring the Emirate of Sharjah – walking, cycling tours and itineraries
What else to see near Islamic World Garden?
- Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences
- House of Wisdom
- Sharjah University City
- Natural History and Botanical Museum, Sharjah Desert Park
- Classic Car Museum
- Science Museum
- Martyrs’ Monument
- Follow on Instagram or Facebook for regular photos, tips and snippets of cultural and historical information too.
- Sign up for the Glimpses of the UAE Newsletter
- Take me to the Glimpses of the UAE Map to find nearby locations and plan my trip.
- See some of my hiking trails, walks and off-road trips on Wikiloc.
- To see my Oman trips, visit In Scotterati Footsteps.