HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah
has officially launched Madar, a new family-focused entertainment complex located in the heart of Aljada, the 24-million-sq-ft mega-community currently under construction in the Muwaileh district of the northern emirate.

An integrated and unique development complex, Madar contains a cluster of family-friendly attractions all spread around a beautifully landscaped 600,000-sq-ft park, said its developer Arada.

From the Arabic word for ‘path’ or ‘orbit’, the name Madar represents the free movement of people around the site, and also reflects the original design by Zaha Hadid Architects that incorporates a striking series of elliptical buildings surrounding a central point, it stated.

After unveiling the official plaque outside the Aljada Discovery Centre, Dr Sheikh Sultan toured the main attractions and various zones and facilities spread across the mega development.

In front of a model of Aljada project, he was given a briefing on the various tourist attractions that will be part of the project spread over a 2.2 sq km area.

The Sharjah Ruler also watched a documentary on this occasion about the Aljada project, one of the most ambitious real estate projects in the emirate and UAE as well, which includes a wide range of apartments, commercial buildings, retail, hospitality, and entertainment and leisure options.

Speaking at the launch, Arada chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: "Today, we are taking a new step in the march of Sharjah, defined by development, prosperity and civilizational, architectural, cultural, and scientific renaissance."

Madar, he stated, was an integrated and unique development complex, which includes a wide range of facilities, tourist attractions and recreational avenues that will attract the public and families to Sharjah from across the UAE and beyond.

"Open to the public from today, Madar’s launch weekend will be packed with entertainment and excitement, featuring live performances from artists, sportspeople and musicians under the theme of ‘cultural fusion’," stated Al Qassimi.

"Attracting art, music and sports enthusiasts this weekend, Madar will be hosting performances by expert breakdancers and skaters, a unique fusion of oud and beatboxing, and the first Emirati rock musician Bafoory," he added.

Inviting visitors of all ages and interests to explore a variety of activities and attractions, Madar is hosting Zad, a new address for the UAE’s food lovers, with 18 F&B outlets; YourSpace, a fully-fledged events hall; an Amphitheatre for outdoor events with a maximum capacity of 500 people; Playscape, an immersive and exciting children’s adventure zone; and a Skatepark, a new home for adventure sports enthusiasts.

Another attraction at Madar is the AUS Pavilion, designed by the students from the American University of Sharjah, based in the nearby University City.

"The pavilion is a sweeping architectural structure designed to provide shade and a communal area for residents and visitors to Aljada. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Aljada Discovery Centre, Madar’s centrepiece, is an elliptical building that showcases all the elements of the city’s master plan, as well as providing prospective homeowners with an opportunity to find out what living in Aljada is all about,," explained Al Qassimi.

Aljada is Sharjah’s largest ever mixed-use development project and is ideally located on the last major plot of undeveloped land in the heart of the emirate.

The Aljada masterplan is carefully designed with walkability and wide green spaces in mind, allowing residents, workers and visitors the ability to live, work, play and be entertained within an all-inclusive and self-sustained precinct.-TradeArabia News Service