Sharjah Ruler Inaugurates Al Layyah Canal to Boost Regional Development

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

On Thursday afternoon, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened the Al Layyah Canal project in Al Khalidiyah. He was joined by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The project includes a range of developments and important infrastructure work.

When His Highness arrived, he revealed the commemorative plaque to mark the occasion and then attended a special event along the canal walkway. The event featured performances by students from the Sharjah Maritime Academy and a military band. Visitors also enjoyed a rowing race, traditional folk performances based on maritime culture, and a colorful maritime parade that passed through the newly built canal. This 600-meter-long canal connects Khalid Lagoon to the Arabian Gulf.

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His Highness was shown a presentation about the project, explaining its stages, timeline, and plans for the area. He also learned about the modern techniques and machinery used to complete the project, which aims to improve water circulation in Khalid Lagoon. This will help increase the lagoon's water renewal efficiency. The Al Layyah Canal project includes the canal itself, a breakwater, a waterfront promenade, bridges, and service facilities to improve the area.

Afterward, His Highness visited the Al Layyah Ramadan Market, which is part of the Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2025. The market, running from February 27 to March 3, 2025, offers a range of family-friendly activities. It features products from local youth businesses, food stalls, and cafés serving a variety of traditional Ramadan foods. The market aims to support young entrepreneurs by providing them with an opportunity to display their innovative ideas. It also supports the local economy and encourages social interaction through activities for children, family gatherings, and community spaces.

His Highness continued his tour of the canal, reaching the breakwater, which stretches for 330 meters. This structure includes a coastal rock barrier 210 meters long, located near the Al Layyah station, designed to protect the canal and its walls from strong waves. The breakwater project also involved dredging to ensure that the water flows properly according to the seabed levels.

During the visit, His Highness was introduced to the Coral Reef Cultivation Initiative—Protecting the Marine Future. This initiative aims to create natural habitats for marine life, improve fish stocks, restore damaged marine environments, and promote biodiversity. He was shown a model of coral reefs from Sir Bu Nair Island and learned about the cultivation techniques used to protect marine life. To mark the occasion, His Highness started the process of planting coral reefs along the canal's breakwater.

Later, His Highness took a boat tour along the Al Layyah Canal, observing the waterfront area and the facilities designed for visitors. During the tour, he watched cultural performances and greeted the children gathered along the canal. The children responded warmly to his gesture.

His Highness then walked along the illuminated walkway to Flag Island, which adds to the area's beauty. There, he met with engineers, project managers, and other officials who played key roles in the project. He also took part in rowing races, which included single, double, and traditional rowing competitions along the canal.

The Sharjah Ruler reviewed the future plans for the Al Layyah Canal project, which will include a new waterfront similar to Al Qasba's design. This new area will feature Islamic architectural elements that blend well with surrounding government buildings and Souq Al Jubail, which is located on the other side of the canal.

During his visit, His Highness also saw a display that showcased the origins of the Al Layyah Canal project, which started in 2017. The display included a handwritten note where His Highness explained that "Al Layyah" means the force of colliding waves, reflecting the natural characteristics of the canal.

Before leaving, His Highness performed the Maghrib prayer with the attendees and then watched a beautiful light show featuring an illuminated whale in the canal's waters. He also admired the newly installed lighting along the canal’s edges, which adds to the area's visual appeal.

The Al Layyah Canal project stretches from the waterway corridor to the Al Khalidiyah Bridge and continues into Khalid Lagoon. The project includes a walkway that links Al Layyah to Flag Island, two main bridges for vehicles and pedestrians, as well as improvements to roads and parking spaces to make the area more accessible.

The canal's design takes into account the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. It includes protective rock layers along the canal's walls to prevent damage from strong waves and to ensure its stability. The canal’s outlet, located near Souq Al Jubail, helps improve water circulation and reduces pollution in Khalid Lagoon.

As part of the project, two significant bridges will be built. One bridge, located near the sea, will be 88 meters long and 33 meters wide. It will have three lanes for traffic in both directions, along with pedestrian walkways. The second bridge, located near government buildings, will be 123 meters long and 26 meters wide. It will have two lanes for traffic in each direction and pedestrian walkways.

The Al Layyah Canal project will provide a wide range of services and entertainment opportunities. It is expected to attract investment, create new jobs, and boost tourism in Sharjah, making the city a more attractive destination for both visitors and businesses.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several prominent officials, including Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority; Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department; Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler's Office; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, among other dignitaries.

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