Arada Unveils Upscale 4,000-Unit Residential Community in Sharjah

Front view of Sendian Parks Villa. Masaar, Arada’s third project, which is valued at AED8billion and located in the Al Juwaiza’a district of New Sharjah. Courtesy Arada
Front view of Sendian Parks Villa. Masaar, Arada’s third project, which is valued at AED8billion and located in the Al Juwaiza’a district of New Sharjah. Courtesy Arada
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Arada Unveils Upscale 4,000-Unit Residential Community in Sharjah

Front view of Sendian Parks Villa. Masaar, Arada’s third project, which is valued at AED8billion and located in the Al Juwaiza’a district of New Sharjah. Courtesy Arada
Front view of Sendian Parks Villa. Masaar, Arada’s third project, which is valued at AED8billion and located in the Al Juwaiza’a district of New Sharjah. Courtesy Arada

Sharjah-based real estate developer Arada has announced the launch of Masaar, the developer’s third project, with a sales value of AED8 billion (USD2.2 billion).

The 19 million square foot upscale project will include 4,000 villas and townhouses in total, all set in eight gated districts linked by Masaar’s signature feature, a lushly landscaped and walkable ‘green spine’.

Construction on Masaar will begin in the second quarter, and the first homes are scheduled to be handed over in the first quarter of 2023.

"Masaar offers a path to the ultimate lifestyle transformation, and a major addition to Sharjah’s residential landscape. It is a serene, exclusive and forested environment that also offers all the comforts of a modern urban district, offering you the best of both worlds,” Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Arada, said.

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, vice chairman of Arada, said, "Masaar has been designed to make its residents happier and healthier, while at the same time providing substantial benefits for the environment.

“The abundance of green space, and an active lifestyle will also help to reduce the stresses of urban life, especially at a time when the importance of safety and security has never been higher. We believe that by uniting people with nature, this community will set a new standard for living in the UAE."

He told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that funding is occurring through a combination of shareholders, banking loans, and sales revenues.

So far, Arada has acquired SAR2.3 billion (USD613 million) from the banking funding. “In case any additional funding is needed, the options will be discussed with our partners in the banking sector,” Prince Khaled added.

The Arada Vice Chairman further assured that all buyers from the GCC countries and other Arab countries may purchase properties in Masaar on the basis of the freehold system while buyers from other nationalities may purchase on the basis of the leasehold ownership.



Ships Warned to Avoid Red Sea, Log Hormuz Voyages after Israel Hits Iran

A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
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Ships Warned to Avoid Red Sea, Log Hormuz Voyages after Israel Hits Iran

A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta

Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israel's attacks on Iran on Friday, the multinational, US-led Combined Maritime Force said, although some shipowners were looking to avoid the region.

Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the Strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices.

"The Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial traffic continues to flow uninterrupted," the Combined Maritime Force said in advisory, adding that events over the past day had increased the likelihood of regional conflict to "significant".

Greece and Britain have advised their merchant shipping fleets to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's attacks on Iran, documents seen by Reuters showed.

"We have reports that more ship owners are now exercising extra caution and are opting to stay away from the Red Sea” and the Arabian Gulf, said Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

If the United States is perceived to be involved in any attacks, "the risk of escalation increases significantly", Larsen said. "Such an escalation could include missile attacks on ships or laying of sea mines in the Strait (of Hormuz)."

Israel said it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran denies having any such plan.

"Hormuz is a critical waterway, without alternative, for tanker trades and any impediment or threat to free movement of shipping would have a significant effect upon the world’s economy," tanker shipping association INTERTANKO said.

Greek ship owners were urged to send details of their vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to Greece’s maritime ministry, according to one of the documents issued by Greece's shipping association, which was sent on Friday. Greek owners control the world's biggest tanker fleet.

"Due to developments in the Middle East and the escalation of military actions in the wider region, the (Greek) Ministry of Shipping ... urgently calls on shipping companies to send ... the details of Greek-owned ships that are sailing in the maritime area of the Strait of Hormuz," the document said.

All UK-flagged vessels, which include the Gibraltar, Bermuda and Isle of Man 'red ensign' registries, were advised to avoid sailing through the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a separate document issued by the UK's transport ministry said.

If sailing through those areas, vessels must adhere to their highest level of security measures and limit the number of crew on deck during voyages, said the advisory, seen by Reuters.

The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, is continuing operations as normal but is monitoring developments in the region, an Aspides official told Reuters.