Every year Sharjah hosts the Festival of Light and www.luxepointindia.com was invited to witness the spectacular show which is spread over key buildings and landmarks. The Festival of Light is a play of stunning laser shows and pyrotechnics created by artists and is complimentary to every citizen of Sharjah and tourists. This was their ninth year and it was amazing to see the people coming in hoards with pride to see the stunning display. Families with grandparents and little children were seen enjoying the show. It was amazing to see the crowds being managed so efficiently. You could see pretty ladies in abhayas assisting the families ushering them and seating them for the Festival of Lights show for which the theme for 2019 was "Family and Culture"

Landmark buildings light up with an amazing display of laser lights and pyrotechnics

This mosque looked beautiful during the day 

We stayed at the magnificent Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa that stood tall and huge springing out of the desert in its typical sand colour that you see across this Emirate. Our trip to this mystical desert country was marked with many interesting sights and sounds that will stay in the senses for ages to come but the one that stood out among the many was our visit to Fatima Ahmad Almogan.

The majestic Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa 

Fatima was our host on the fourth day of our visit. She was scheduled to host a home cooked lunch in her beautiful house, so as to familirise us with the Emirati way of living. Fatima could be a mother or grandmother anywhere in the world. She busted the myth that women didn't work in the middle-east.  "I have worked with the government for 35 years," she said. As we entered her house she immediately captured the attention with her smile and the traditional welcome which is done with Udd fragrance and sprays of ittars. She then proceeded to give us an etiquette lessons on serving coffee "Never fill the coffee till the brim as it's hot, and we always shake the cup as an indication that we don’t want it anymore," she said. She hugged everyone with chants of blessings and led us to her house.

Inside the house an array of home cooked food was spread on a colourful hand woven carpet. "Come, welcome to my house. Help yourself," she gestured and soon we were feasting on food that were obviously cooked with much love that included the pulau, minced fish, plenty of raw salads, vegetables along with big chunks of really delicious chicken. She taught us to have rice with camel milk butter infused with saffron.

Later we were ushered to a drawing room that had a table filled with Arabic sweets, deserts and fruits. After which we did the most touristy entertainment but loved it to the core. Dressing ourselves as brides and grooms it was fun moment as we went on insta-frenzy moments clicking pictures like there was no other day.

As we ended the fun filled day there were some questions hurriedly directed to our gracious host. "Are divorces common?

Her answer "Well with the divorce the husband must make sure that the wife will be given, house, driver and maid for life and of course the salary as well," I can still hear her chuckle!!

"Could I get the spelling of your full name?

"Sure you can also just google me!!

Fatima Ahmad Almogan