Feature - My Neighbourhood

November 11, 2009

744 words

Al Qusais – The Sleepy Suburb of Dubai

Al Qusais or Al Ghusais as its known, is a suburb located in North East Dubai. Al Qusais lies on the Dubai Sharjah border. Excavations and research have shown that Al Qusais was once an important settlement and cemetery. Today a popular residential area, Al Qusais is subdivided into: Al Qusais I, Al Qusais II and Al Qusais II. The significance of Al Qusais is attributed to its proximity to the Dubai International Airport. The two main hotels here are The Dubai Grand Hotel and the Al Bustan Residence Hotel. Al Bustan is the popular choice for most travelers.

The quiet locality.
Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

The Ministry of Public Affairs, and the Ministry Of Social Affairs offices are located in Al Quasis I. The Municipal office is a few minutes away, in Al Twar, a suburb close to Al Qusais. The Municipal office has branches of DEWA as well as Etisalat for one’s utility related queries.

Shaikh Rashid Colony Blocks 1, 2, 3
Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

A popular residential suburb, Al Qusais I has a large Asian population. Residential properties in Al Qusais are mainly apartments, with a smattering of villas. The Shaikh Rashid colony takes up a good part of Qusais I. The colony, along with the Al Futtaim Building, are the oldest residential buildings in the area. Rents and prices are relatively cheap, with newer buildings springing up by the month. The people of Al Qusais I are relatively friendly, thus the nickname ‘sleepy neighbourhood’. There is abundant parking available for the residents, while the newer buildings have built in car parks. Most of the new apartments come equipped with swimming pools and gymnasiums. There are also a number of individual beauty parlours, gyms, and salons

Well defined transport network.
Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

Transport within the suburb is made easy by the well connected bus routes and road networks. Buses C18, X23, 13A are a few among the numerous buses that ply to and fro the area. Al Qusais I is dotted with air conditioned bus stations at regular intervals. The Green Line of the Dubai Metro network will have its main depot in Al Qusais I. With an estimated completion date of mid-2010, the line will connect Al Qusais with the rest of Dubai.

The soon to be completed metro line
Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

Schools here include the Sheffield Private School, Apple International School, Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistan School and Millennium School Dubai among others. The prestigious Dubai Womens College marks the border of Al Qusais I.

The Emirates Driving Institute is situated in Al Qusais I; the roads surrounding which are dotted with learners cars. There are a number of hospitals and clinics in the area, ranging from the Zulekha Hospital and New Medical Clinic to the smaller clinics in residential buildings. There are a large number of pharmacies to serve the residents. The convenience stores include major chains like Spinneys, Carreffour, Lulu, Union Cooperative as well as the groceries within walking distance of every residential building.

Al Bustan Center and Hotel Residency
Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

The Al Bustan Center and Al Mulla Plaza are the only malls in Al Qusais I. While Al Bustan boasts of a food court and ‘Fantasy Kingdom’ - a children’s play area; Both malls are a hotspot for local fashion with stores offering everything from Arabic accessories to clothing. Al Mulla Plaza is of historical importance as it is one of the oldest buildings in the UAE. For other clothing options, outlets like Splash, Eternity and Mona Lisa outlets offer a wide range of designer wear and accessories.
The area boasts a number of eateries offering a variety of choices from fast food outlets to restraints offering different cuisines. The KFC and Baskin Robbins outlets to the local food joints.

Leisure options in Al Qusais I

Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

There are a relatively limited number of entertainment and leisure options in Al Qusais I. The few pool places and sheesha joints are full of youngsters looking to relax. The suburb boasts the Al Ahli Stadium as well as specially designed sports center for people with special needs. Al Qusais I has three public parks equipped with football and basketball grounds. Areas like Hor-Al-Anz and Al Nahda which mark the neighbouring areas of Al Qusais I offer more options to those who seek them.

One of Al Qusais's beautiful mosques
Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

As the sun sets over this quiet city, the call for prayer is heard from the four mosques spread out over Qusais I. Each of these mosques are uniquely beautiful, with one of them catering exclusively to the Bhori muslim community.

Photo Credit: Blassy Boben

Mr. Zulfiqar has been a resident of Al Qusais I for ten years now. Having moved to Al Qusais I in 1999 with his family, a content Mr Zulfiqar calls it a sleepy town. “Al Qusais I is a quiet neighbourhood, and its relatively safe. The people are friendly, the traffic is comparatively lesser. Everything is right here. And we don’t have to travel far to find more options in shops and restaurants. This place has it all.”