Al Madam
The town
Al Madam is one of Sharjah's municipalities. In September 2026 its municipality joined a new committee, with those of Al Dhaid, Mleiha, Kalba, Khor Fakkan and others, to protect the emirate's modern architectural heritage.5
The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, directed that the Buried Village be preserved and prepared for visitors, that the Al Nuzha pasture be created at Al Madam for grazing and tree planting, and that a specialised university hospital be built to serve the Central Region.1
The Buried Village and Al Badayer
The Buried Village, about 2 km south-west of Al Madam on the Dubai to Hatta road, was built as public housing after the UAE was formed in 1971 for a Bedouin tribe that had lived a semi-nomadic life. About 20 years later its residents had all left, and the sand has since covered much of it.1,2
Al Badayer, on the higher plateau of Al Madam, is a centre for dune driving, quad biking and camping, with the Big Red dune. Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) built the Al Badayer Oasis retreat there in the style of an old oasis town. The UAE Government Portal lists Al Badayer among the emirate's main destinations for campers and off-road drivers.3,1,4
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 companies6,7,8
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Al Madam?
Al Madam is a town in Sharjah's Central Region, on the road between Dubai and Hatta. Mainland businesses there are licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department.
Sources
- Sharjah24: Al Madam, a destination for adventure and camping (11 January 2025, in Arabic)
- Visit Sharjah: Al Madam Buried Village
- Visit Sharjah: Al Badayer
- UAE Government Portal: Sharjah
- Sharjah24: Committee on modern architecture to discuss building protection (10 September 2026)
- 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
Figures checked 23 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.