Unlocking Al Dhaid: How Etihad Rail's New Station Will Transform Sharjah's Historic Oasis

A historic oasis town in Sharjah is preparing to step onto the national stage as the agricultural hub of Al Dhaid welcomes a new Etihad Rail passenger station on Wednesday, September 30. This connection to the national network will transform the tranquil desert escape into an accessible cultural hotspot.

As the third-largest town in Sharjah, Al Dhaid is renowned for its date palm plantations and fruit farms, producing strawberries, dates, limes, guava, and mangoes. Its agricultural roots are anchored by the traditional falaj irrigation system, which dates back centuries. Visitors exploring the area can experience authentic Emirati hospitality, traditional breakfast dishes, Arabic coffee, and dates at the restored Al Dhaid Fort, originally built in 1820 during the rule of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. The fortress now operates as a museum dedicated to local heritage, falconry, and caravan history, complemented nearby by the mud-brick defensive architecture of Al Mudarissa Tower.

The town's profile grew internationally in late 2023 when its fort and falaj system were inscribed on the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's Islamic World Heritage List. Additionally, the area features the Sharjah Safari Park along Al Dhaid Road within the Al Bridi Nature Reserve—noted as the largest wildlife safari park outside Africa—and the Al Dhaid Wildlife Museum, which opened in February following an inauguration by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

While visitors have historically used Al Dhaid merely as a quick stopover, the opening of the rail station is set to redefine tourism and investment in the region. Adel Fathi, senior financial controller at the area's only lodging, Daraysh Hotel and Restaurant, noted that the railway connection brings greater visibility, accessibility, and new opportunities to welcome families, business travelers, and tourists.

To support future growth, Al Dhaid is undergoing major development spearheaded by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority and the Sharjah Initiatives Implementation Authority (Mubadara). Projects include the Al Dhaid Bridge and Lake Project, featuring a freshwater lake designed to hold over 1.5 million cubic metres of water to serve as a reserve and moderate local temperatures. Furthermore, Gulftainer is launching the Al Dhaid Multi-Modal Trade Corridor, a 150-hectare trade route project integrated with the broader Al Dhaid Logistics Complex and Etihad Rail.

Situated on the border between Al Dhaid and Falaj Al Mualla in Umm Al Quwain, Al Dhaid Station is located about 5km from the town center and will serve rural towns within a 30km radius, connecting a population of nearly 40,000 residents in Al Dhaid alongside neighboring communities such as Al Bataeh, Falaj Al Mualla, Al Manama, and Mleiha.