Al Dhaid, Sharjah: The Oasis Town, Its Farms and Date Festival, and Licensing

The town

Al Dhaid lies on a desert plain, reached from Sharjah by the E88. Its date palms are watered by centuries-old falaj channels from the Hajar mountains, and its farms grow strawberries, dates, limes, guava and mangoes that are sold across the UAE. Camel races are held at its track on winter mornings.^1,2

Al Mudharsa Tower, a restored clay watchtower at the north-eastern entrance to the oasis, was part of the defences that guarded its water and crops. In December 2023 Al Dhaid Fort and Falaj Al Dhaid, including the tower, were inscribed on the ICESCO World Heritage List.³

Al Dhaid Date Festival

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises the Al Dhaid Date Festival at Expo Al Dhaid. The sixth edition ran from 8 to 11 October 2026 and brought together date producers, farmers, retailers and palm owners from across the UAE, with auctions of locally grown dates.⁴

Setting up

Setting up
Item	Who
Mainland licences	Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
Chamber of commerce	Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Source: UAE Government Portal: Steps to start a business on the mainland; UAE Government Portal: National Economic Register, business licensing authorities; UAE Government Portal: Accessing services for mainland companies^5,6,7

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Al Dhaid?

Al Dhaid is Sharjah's third town by size, about 60 km east of Sharjah city by the E88. Mainland businesses there are licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department.

Sources

Figures checked 23 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.

Al Dhaid