Latest news with #Aljada
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
At Kashtat Amina, Mariam Almansoori serves up Emirati home cooking inspired by childhood memories
It begins with a kettle. Not the tall, sleek kind that whistles in designer kitchens, but the round, sturdy bronze squat vessel with a thickened base found in many Emirati homes 'It's the same one we used in our house in Abu Dhabi,' says chef Mariam Almansoori. 'Every day we used to boil the water and pour it into this big kettle with black tea with cardamom, cloves, sugar. The smell would fill the whole house.' The kettle is now just inside the entrance of Kashtat Amina, Almansoori's newly opened restaurant in Sharjah's Aljada district, with its suburban walkways and lush greenery. There's no sign beside it. No curated description. Just the quiet suggestion that memory lives in objects as much as it does in taste. For Almansoori, the decision to launch her first Emirati standalone restaurant – its name translates to 'Amina's picnic' after her mother – is more than a professional step. It's a homecoming. 'I had a lot of chances to open a restaurant before,' she says. 'But I always waited. I wanted it to be at the right time, in the right place, with the right meaning.' That meaning comes through strongest in the food, which draws directly from Almansoori's childhood meals. Dishes such as keema hamsa (minced meat sauteed with tomatoes and onions), grilled jeder (lamb shank with tamarind sauce, basmati rice and nuts) and thareed (bread soaked in meat broth with vegetables) appear on the menu not as nostalgic flourishes, but as cultural inheritances. 'It's not only about the food,' she says. 'Lots of people come and say: 'Chef, can we take this home with us?' It's just a flower on the table, or a cushion, nothing big. But to me, it's full of love. It's my mother's hand in it. I still feel her, even when I'm serving strangers.' Raised in Ras Al Khaimah, Almansoori grew up in a home with two kitchens – one run by her mother, the other often commandeered by her father – each guided by a distinct culinary philosophy that she learnt to absorb early on. 'If I ask mama how long to cook something, she never says minutes,' Almansoori says. 'She says: 'When the smell starts to change' or: 'When the rice starts to dance.' That's the kind of knowledge that stays with you.' Her father, also a skilled cook, brought a flair for presentation. 'He was all about hospitality,' she adds. 'He loved to garnish, while my mother didn't. They were always arguing about that.' Kashtat Amina carries both impulses – the quiet intimacy of home cooking and the polish of a well-run kitchen – in its expert take on rustic Emirati staples. The restaurant, bright and lined with woven baskets, with furniture and staff in indigo, is both modern and homely – and is full of local markers, from the kettle and old transistor radio to shelves of clay jars. A painting of Almansoori's mother Amina hangs proudly in the centre of the kitchen, her eyes warm in invitation. One dish that carries particular weight is the chicken maragooga, a stewed chicken with vegetables and thin bread layers. 'This was always loved by the family and guests,' she says. 'The pot would come straight from the stove to the table and we would eat it immediately.' That inherent sense of hospitality, so central to Emirati cuisine, is something she learnt from her mother. 'My mother used to make it when people came after the dhuhr prayer. It wasn't just food. It was the way she opened the house, welcomed people, showed care.' Almansoori's other ventures – including the popular Montauk in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, where Sri Lankan rice might be topped with slow-roasted ribs and cinnamon coconut cream served alongside Emirati majboos and an apple Danish – have long embraced reinterpretation. But this time, she wanted to move in the opposite direction. 'I wanted to stop mixing. No fusion,' she says. 'I wanted to go back. Bring things to their original taste. To say: this is what we had in our houses. This is how it was done.' That backward glance, however, isn't about retreat. She speaks frequently about Emirati food as something underrepresented, not just internationally, but at home. 'If you go outside the UAE, you see restaurants from everywhere. You see Turkish, Lebanese, Japanese, but not Emirati. Even here in Sharjah or Dubai, how many restaurants are really doing Emirati cuisine? I don't mean owned by Emiratis. I mean the food.' And she's intent on giving those local flavours a global platform, with Almansoori hoping Kashtat Amina will be recognised if the Michelin Guide extends its UAE presence to Sharjah. 'We want to be ready, because there is a guideline that Michelin follows – from using organic produce to changing the menu regularly,' she says. 'We try to update parts of the menu every three months, not just to change, but to keep enhancing and evolving. There's a lot we still need to do, but I think we're more than capable – because we're doing it for the right reasons.' That desire to teach without diluting also informs her next venture: a culinary training academy for Emiratis as well as residents. 'I want to create a space where we train them from zero,' she says. 'Not just how to cook, but how to work in a kitchen, how to run a restaurant. 'I already have six or seven with me now. Some of them were not confident at first, but now they are leading the service. They are managing the guests. I'm so proud.' When asked what makes a dish truly Emirati, she doesn't hesitate. 'It's not the ingredients or technique. It's when you know what each one means and why we why we use turmeric, when we add ghee, how much to stir the rice. It's not rules. It's memory.' By the end of the visit, our own kettle of tea has gone cold. A young staff member moves to take it away, but she stops him. 'Leave it,' she says quietly. 'I just want to savour this moment a little more.'
ME Construction
4 days ago
- Business
- ME Construction
Arada secures WiredScore Platinum certification for first phase of its CBD
Technology Arada secures WiredScore Platinum certification for first phase of its CBD By The commercial hub is set to be completed in Q1 2027 within the Aljada mega project Arada has announced it secured WiredScore Platinum certification for the first phase of its Arada Central Business District (CBD) located in Sharjah. The commercial hub, set to be completed in Q1 2027 within the Aljada mega project, is said to hold the distinction of being the first development in Sharjah to receive the certification. The first phase of Arada CBD will encompass 812,000sqft of Grade A leasable office space, 1,666 parking bays, 76,000sqft of landscaped green space, and 26,500sqft of retail and F&B outlets. These components are designed to foster a business environment by integrating lifestyle and wellness amenities. WiredScore Platinum holds the highest designation from WiredScore, the global benchmark for digital connectivity and smart building standards. This certification ensures that Arada CBD will provide world-class digital infrastructure for future tenants of the commercial district in Aljada. Earlier this year, Arada secured a construction contract worth $164.4mn for Phase 1 of Arada CBD, which will encompass the development of eight office buildings and associated infrastructure. Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada said, 'WiredScore Platinum is a prestigious certification that affirms our commitment to resilient digital infrastructure tailored to modern business needs. With this milestone, Arada CBD positions itself as a national benchmark for smart, connected commercial environments. Tenants will benefit from advanced infrastructure and a strategic location, near the airport, planned passenger rail station and University City, while enjoying access to Aljada's vibrant lifestyle and residential offerings.' William Newton, CEO of WiredScore added, 'Achieving WiredScore Platinum for Arada CBD is a significant milestone not only for Sharjah, but for the region more broadly. Arada's ambition to create a digitally connected business hub at this scale sets a new benchmark for what future-ready office developments should look like. We're proud to be supporting a developer that truly understands how vital resilient, high-performing digital infrastructure is for businesses today and in the future.' John Hilliard, Director, Middle East of WiredScore commented, 'As the demand for certified smart and connected buildings continues to rise, Arada's commitment to best-in-class digital infrastructure places Sharjah firmly on the map as a forward-looking commercial destination. This certification signals to tenants that Arada CBD will deliver the digital reliability, speed and resilience that businesses demand, and is highly adaptable to their future requirements.' The milestone was celebrated during a ceremony at Aljada, attended by senior executives from both Arada and WiredScore. The event marked the formal handover of the WiredScore Platinum plaque and the signing of a portfolio-wide agreement. This agreement commits Arada to pursue WiredScore and SmartScore certification for 37 office buildings within Arada CBD, making it the UAE's first office-focused WiredScore portfolio collaboration. Certification work for Phase 2 of Arada CBD is already underway, reinforcing the developer's intent to apply consistent standards of digital connectivity across the entire district. The full Arada CBD master plan will include 38 office buildings across 4.3m sqft, anchored by a central green spine. The district will incorporate smart-city technologies for lighting, waste and traffic management and support a circular economy model, the statement concluded.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Arada Central Business District awarded WiredScore Platinum
Certification achieved for Arada CBD Phase 1, featuring eight smart office blocks set for completion in Q1 2027 UAE's first office portfolio-wide WiredScore agreement signed at Arada ceremony Phase 2 certification underway, reinforcing the developer's commitment to delivering reliable, resilient and high-performing digital infrastructure Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Arada has announced that it has secured WiredScore Platinum certification for the first phase of Arada Central Business District (CBD), Sharjah's new commercial hub set for completion in Q1 2027 within the AED 35 billion Aljada megaproject. WiredScore Platinum is the highest designation from WiredScore; the global benchmark for digital connectivity and smart building standards. This makes Arada CBD the first development in Sharjah to receive this certification, guaranteeing world-class digital infrastructure for future tenants of the commercial district in Aljada. Earlier this year, Arada awarded a construction contract worth AED604 million for Phase 1 of Arada CBD, covering the development of eight smart office buildings and associated infrastructure. Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said: 'WiredScore Platinum is a prestigious certification that affirms our commitment to resilient digital infrastructure tailored to modern business needs. With this milestone, Arada CBD positions itself as a national benchmark for smart, connected commercial environments. Tenants will benefit from advanced infrastructure and a strategic location, near the airport, planned passenger rail station and University City, while enjoying access to Aljada's vibrant lifestyle and residential offerings.' This milestone was celebrated during a ceremony at Aljada attended by senior executives from both Arada and WiredScore. The event included the formal handover of the WiredScore Platinum plaque and the signing of a portfolio-wide agreement, which commits Arada to pursue WiredScore and SmartScore certification for 37 office buildings within Arada CBD, marking the UAE's first office-focused WiredScore portfolio collaboration. William Newton, CEO of WiredScore, said: 'Achieving WiredScore Platinum for Arada CBD is a significant milestone not only for Sharjah, but for the region more broadly. Arada's ambition to create a digitally connected business hub at this scale sets a new benchmark for what future-ready office developments should look like. We're proud to be supporting a developer that truly understands how vital resilient, high-performing digital infrastructure is for businesses today and in the future.' John Hilliard, Director, Middle East of WiredScore, said: 'As the demand for certified smart and connected buildings continues to rise, Arada's commitment to best-in-class digital infrastructure places Sharjah firmly on the map as a forward-looking commercial destination. This certification signals to tenants that Arada CBD will deliver the digital reliability, speed and resilience that businesses demand, and is highly adaptable to their future requirements.' Certification work for Phase 2 of Arada CBD is already underway, reinforcing the developer's intent to apply consistent standards of digital connectivity across the entire district. Scheduled for completion in Q1 2027, the first phase of Arada CBD will provide 812,000 square feet of Grade A leasable office space, 1,666 parking bays, 76,000 square feet of landscaped green space, and 26,500 square feet of retail and F&B outlets. These components are designed to create a premium business environment enhanced by integrated lifestyle and wellness amenities. The full Arada CBD master plan will include 38 smart office buildings across 4.3 million square feet, anchored by a central green spine. The district will incorporate smart-city technologies for lighting, waste and traffic management and support a circular economy model. Aljada is a 24 million square foot mega development featuring over 25,000 homes, retail, entertainment, sports, education, and wellness facilities. With seamless access within minutes to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Al Dhaid Road, Sharjah International Airport, and the upcoming Etihad Rail station, Aljada is reshaping Sharjah's urban landscape. About Arada Launched in 2017 and headquartered in the UAE, Arada was created to build spaces people connect with for healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Arada's scope of operation covers property development, retail, education, healthcare, fitness, wellness and hospitality. The master developer has so far launched nine record-breaking communities in the UAE and has expanded into the Australian market, opening an office in Sydney in 2024. Arada also operates a portfolio of complementary brands and experiences, which includes large-scale gyms, F&B and retail assets, social initiatives and visitor destinations. About WiredScore WiredScore is the organization behind the WiredScore and SmartScore certifications: the internationally recognised digital connectivity and smart building rating systems for real estate, helping landlords design and promote buildings with powerful digital connectivity and smart capabilities. WiredScore launched in 2013 in partnership with Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York, International demand for the digital connectivity rating system has since seen the company expand operations across North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, where it works with over 1,000 clients across the real estate industry. Since then, over 1 billion square feet (93 million square metres) of commercial and residential space has been committed to WiredScore certification, impacting 9 million people across more than 40 countries.
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Startup Studio concludes 2024 Cohort with 19 high-potential startups ready to scale globally
Global Cohort Selected from 2,300+ Applications Across over 75 Countries Venture-Building Journey Featured Strategic Partnerships and Industry Immersions Demo Day Connects Founders with Investors and Ecosystem Leaders Sharjah, The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) organized the Demo Day for its flagship Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) on Monday 23rd June at YourSpace in Aljada, celebrating the graduation of the 2024 cohort. The event concluded a six-month intensive program that supported 19 high-potential startups in scaling their operations and preparing for expansion into regional and international markets. The event was attended by Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, and Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa. The program focused on Sheraa's four Centers of Excellence; Education Technology, Sustainability, Creative Industries, and Manufacturing, reflecting national priorities and Sharjah's long-term innovation vision. Startups benefited from a comprehensive venture-building journey that offered strategic guidance, expert mentorship, operational support, and direct access to partners and markets. The startups in the 2024 cohort were selected from a competitive pool of more than 2,300 applications representing over 75 countries. Collectively, they have raised approximately $19.3 million in funding and generated combined revenues exceeding $21.9 million. Participants also benefited from the support of more than 30 experts across business management, marketing, and operations, in addition to complimentary workspace and business licenses in Sharjah. H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa said: 'S3 Demo Day reflects Sheraa's commitment to building a strong pipeline of ventures that align with national priorities and contribute to long-term economic growth. These startups are innovative, operational, investment-ready businesses with clear market potential. Through this program, we focus on providing founders with strategic guidance, specialized support, and access to key stakeholders they need to navigate complex challenges, strengthen their models, and scale with confidence. Sharjah remains focused on enabling founders to build resilient, high-impact businesses with long-term value.' S3 is structured around three core pillars, namely, Scaling, Securing, and Supporting. The program provides participants with expert mentorship and a customized roadmap, ensuring that they receive the right support to achieve product-market fit. Upon successful application, startup founders gained access to Sheraa's Centers of Excellence (COE) partners, facilitating connections with leading entities and authorities as well as potential customers while absorbing valuable industry insights that can truly make a difference to their chances for success. The six-month journey included customized one-on-one coaching, technical advisory, and hands-on workshops across product development, business modelling, and go-to-market strategy. Startups also participated in curated field visits and market access opportunities with entities including Microsoft, BEEAH Group, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Founders underwent specialized training in conscious leadership and team-building, and received pitch coaching to hone their investor presentations and growth strategies. Sheraa's S3 Demo Day served as a vibrant platform, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners to explore market-ready innovations and connect with founders poised for growth. 19 Startups showcased at the event including Squirrel Education, a gamified platform that teaches financial literacy through interactive simulations; Little Sprouties, which makes healthy, sustainable food for babies and toddlers using innovative processes and local UAE ingredients, promoting wellness and sustainability; City Greens Innovation, a venture advancing vertical farming using AI-driven automation; Damdoum, which enriches cultural knowledge with a gamified app offering localized content in MENA dialects, rewarding users and connecting brands with an engaged audience; and Schoolvoice, a communication platform that strengthens engagement between schools and parents. Sheraa's S3 Demo Day reaffirmed Sharjah's role in driving innovation-forward entrepreneurship and establishing the emirate as a launchpad for impactful, globally scalable ventures.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Digital Department organises ‘Sharjah GIS Forum'
Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi: Geospatial data has become an essential element to support decision-making, develop services and raise the efficiency of government performance Sharjah: Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) organised the inaugural Sharjah Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Forum, bringing together government entities and leading technology companies in the field across the emirate. The forum forms part of SDD's ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation and strengthen institutional integration by leveraging the latest GIS technologies. The forum, held at Aljada by Arada in Sharjah, drew significant attendance, with around 172 participants. Among the distinguished attendees were several senior officials from Sharjah's government departments and institutions, including His Excellency Eng. Omar Khalfan bin Huraimel Al Shamsi, Chairman of Department of Municipalities Affairs, and His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Publishing City. Strengthening joint action His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, emphasised the forum's role as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and expanding collaboration among government entities. He highlighted the growing importance of spatial data as a foundational element in supporting decision-making, enhancing service delivery, and improving overall government performance. His Excellency expressed his hope that the forum would foster greater cooperation in building an integrated digital environment grounded in accurate, reliable information towards serving the community and advancing the emirate's shared development goals. A Step Towards Digital Integration In her opening speech, Her Excellency Eng. Lamia Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of SDD, emphasised the critical role of geographic information systems in urban planning, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and public services. She described GIS as a key enabler of sustainable development guided by clear visions and strategic planning. Her Excellency also reaffirmed SDD's commitment to strengthening this vital sector, empowering its workforce, aligning collaborative efforts, and investing in initiatives that improve quality of life and advance digital integration across the emirate. In this context, Her Excellency highlighted the Mada Geographic Data Platform, launched by SDD during GITEX 2024, as a key step toward advancing geospatial data sharing across the UAE. Mada is a centralised, continuously updated database that enables seamless exchange of geographic information between government entities. This facilitates more effective spatial planning, streamlines government processes, and enhances the quality of public services, ultimately supporting the emirate's economic growth. A Paradigm Shift His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, affirmed that the Municipality's participation in the forum reflects its commitment to sharing its expertise and showcasing its projects in the field of geographic information systems. He noted that the forum also provides an opportunity to learn from other experiences to strengthen institutional performance and enhance operational efficiency, in line with the emirate's strategic direction. Al Tunaiji highlighted several advanced digital initiatives driven by GIS technology, including the 'Smart Inspection' system and the digital platform for issuing No Objection Certificates for sewage services. Urban Planning Support Eng. Fatima Juma, Head of the GIS Department at Department of Town Planning and Survey, affirmed that the Department's participation in the forum aimed to highlight its key applications and strategic directions in the field of modern geography and urban planning. She explained that the presentation focused on core themes such as geospatial data and statistics, the integration of geographic artificial intelligence in future planning, and the development of smart cities. She also emphasised the role of geographic information systems in advancing urban projects and underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships to support the growth of this vital sector. Innovation for Sustainable Development Khalid Abdullah Al Zarooni, Head of Information Technology at Sharjah Archaeology Authority, stated that the Authority's participation in the forum provided a valuable opportunity to showcase its pioneering project, the 'Archaeological Geographic Information System,' which reflects its steadfast commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah. He noted that the forum served as an effective platform for exchanging expertise, fostering knowledge-sharing, and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in leveraging digital innovation to support sustainable development, aligned with the emirate's comprehensive strategic vision. Ambitious Goals The Sharjah Geographic Information Systems Forum aimed to familiarise participating entities with the latest technical solutions and global best practices in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) and how these can be leveraged to enhance government performance through effective spatial data collection, analysis, and visualisation. It also sought to strengthen cooperation between government departments by promoting data and information sharing, thereby accelerating procedures, improving service delivery, and supporting informed decision-making based on sound scientific principles. The event further aimed to advance integration in executing joint projects and strategic plans across the emirate. Insights and experiences The forum featured a series of specialised sessions highlighting the role of geographic information systems in predicting natural disasters, supporting urban planning, and building unified geospatial frameworks to enhance coordination between federal and local entities. Discussions also covered the application of GIS in protecting archaeological sites, streamlining inspection processes, and issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs), alongside a presentation of GIS implementations by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority. Other session topics explored integrating advanced technologies, such as digital twin models and artificial intelligence, to support smart geospatial solutions, particularly in areas like rainwater collection, flood management, and spatial data analysis to improve the efficiency of government operations. Honouring The forum emphasised the importance of unifying efforts in exchanging geospatial data to enable greater integration and accessibility of information. This, in turn, contributes to more efficient planning and management, reduces time and effort, and supports the development of accurate, strategic decision-making that advances comprehensive development across the Emirate of Sharjah. The event concluded with a ceremony honouring participating entities in recognition of their valuable contributions to digital transformation and the enhancement of smart government performance.
