Parks get more entertaining during Ramadan

BY KK Moidu


THE arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan and the end of summer season is attracting more visitors to parks. Parks like Al Majaz, Al Jazeera, Itihad etc. in Sharjah are fully crowded with families, especially during weekends. People, spending leisure time with kids and other family members in the parks, have increased in Ramadan because of the less working hours. The variety of entertainment programmes in the parks and other areas like Al Buhaira Corniche, Al Qasba etc. as a part of Sharjah Ramadan Festival is a new experience for the visitors.
Sharjah Ramadan Festival started on the first day of Ramadan is organised by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has arranged variety of surprise for the visitors. The beautifications, additional lights on the lamp posts, big banners and cut out make the parks more beautiful in the night.
Parks in the emirate also have special Ramadan programmes, especially for children and installed new playing equipments. The kids are enjoying different kinds of games and rides in the parks and family sits and talks on the benches and green lawns.
The Mini Train service at Al Buhaira Corniche is one of the main attractions of the people. Many families enjoy the beauty of corniche by a train journey and watch the Ramadan programme. The train with three boggies and an engine are encaged in service and some families book a full compartment for privacy.
Families are coming to the park with preparations of a picnic by carrying blankets, foods, juices and enjoys themselves underneath the cool shade of trees. They spend their time by participating in games along with children, discussing serious issues of international politics and also sharing jokes.
Some families are also using the parks as a venue for get-together. Jamal Babu, a visitor at Corniche Park Sharjah said, "we came to the park with food, juice and water. We break our fast and stay here for a long time. Instead of arranging an Iftar party at home or hotel, it is very convenient and economical. All of us prepare food from our home and eat in the park together. The main advantage of the get-together in park is the kids to get more freedom and can enjoy being engaged in differnet activities." During the Ramadan weekends, our family groups are joining in different parks for Iftar party and stay here until late night, says Jamal.
The families were spending their free time earlier in shopping malls. Muhammed Ashraf, father of two and a regular visitor at Al Majaz park in Ramadan said, "visiting parks are better than going to the shopping malls. A visit to a shopping mall will definitely harm the pocket because each and everything is charged in malls". Parks of the emirates are not only beautiful but also neat and clean and are fully maintained by the local authorities. A visit to the park is a best way to entertain the entire family and everybody wants to control their expense in the circumstances of increased cost of living. This is another reason for increasing the number of visitors in parks.