Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Saturday inaugurated the Al Hefaiyah Lake in Kalba with Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, also in attendence.
The lake is located on the Sharjah-Kalba Road, following the Al Hiyar Tunnel.
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Upon his arrival, the Sharjah Ruler unveiled a commemorative plaque announcing the lake’s launch, which aims to serve as a strategic water reservoir for the city’s people while also enhancing regional environmental beauty. Al Hefaiyah Lake is one of Sharjah’s urban infrastructure development projects.
He toured Al Hefaiyah Lake, which has an area of 132,000 square metres. The lake’s development employed the most recent technology, including innovative construction materials suited for the hilly climate and pipes linking the mountains to the lake for surplus water storage, rainwater collection, and valley runoff management.
Al Hefaiyah Lake has a capacity of 155 million gallons and a depth of up to four metres. A 3.17km dual-lane road surrounds the lake, allowing tourists to stroll and take in the scenery. The lake has a 3.2km-long water conduit that brings water from the lowlands and surrounding mountains into it and drains precipitation. In addition, three barriers and filters have been erected to minimise the entry of valley water into the lake and purify it of contaminants and sediment.
The Sharjah Ruler also toured the mountain trails, which span 11.7km and include a variety of paths of varying lengths and difficulty levels, including the Al Hefaiyah Lake Trail, Eastern Mountain Trail, Southern Al Friesh Mountain Trail, Northern Al Friesh Mountain Trail, and Al Friesh Lake Trail.
During his trip, he met many children who performed in the shaded play area, which covers 620 square metres. Vibrant rubber flooring covers the area, which hosts a variety of children’s leisure activities. He also witnessed a variety of sporting events and maritime competitions, as well as marine boats accessible for guests to tour the lake.
The Sharjah Ruler then travelled to Al Hefaiyah Mosque, which can accommodate 495 worshippers. He lifted the curtain over its plaque, signalling the formal opening, and led the audience in the Maghrib prayer. The mosque, which covers an area of 852 square metres, is designed in the Fatimid style and decorated with geometric and floral themes. It has a 36-metre-tall minaret, a women’s prayer hall for 110 worshippers, an outdoor courtyard for 2040 worshippers, an Islamic library with books on interpretation, jurisprudence, and legal rulings, and several ablution and lavatory areas for men and women.
Following that, he witnessed a drone show that flew across the sky, showing visual images inspired by Kalba’s main attractions and newly launched construction projects. The display culminated with drones creating the word ‘Thank you, Sultan,’ as an expression of gratitude from the people of Kalba for his extraordinary efforts and ongoing instructions to assist the development process in the Emirate of Sharjah’s towns and territories.
The Al Hefaiyah Lake project includes the Al Hefaiyah Rest House, which is spread over 500 square metres. It has a direct view of the lake and Kalba’s high mountains, with hanging gardens and waterfalls on one side and an 8500-square-metre play area and green space on the other. The building has modern architecture with a covered outdoor courtyard. It houses a restaurant and café that serves a range of foreign foods to its visitors.
