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Al-Shamiya area .. past desert oasis, present model area

Al-Shamiya Gate in the 30'S
Al-Shamiya Gate in the 30'S

By Sarah Al-Mukhaizeem

KUWAIT, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- Since the olden days, Al-Shamiya area was known as a desert oasis where merchants and travelers rested at before making their way to the Middle East's Al-Sham (Levant).
Nowadays, Al-Shamiya area continues this role, but in a different capacity by being one of Kuwait's model areas which houses several cultural centers and other important facilities.
In his book (The State of Kuwait .. Places and Monuments), Dr. Yaqoob Al-Ghunaim said that Al-Shamiya, situated 2.5 kilometers from the capital city Kuwait, was an open field land where fresh water was available for travelers on their way to Al-Sham region.
He said that Al-Shamiya did not become a residential area till the 1930s when the first clay buildings were built.
The old Shamiya area consisted of Abdullah Al-Salem suburb and Al-Shamiya area which then were divided into two with the continued urbanization in Kuwait beyond the old city, said Al-Ghunaim.
He noted that Al-Shamiya area is currently situated between the first and second ring roads, consisting of 10 residential blocks.
One of the first major buildings constructed there was the palace of late Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah which was built in the 1930s.
It was then leased to an independent US oil company until the 1960s when the building was transformed into a headquarters of the Kuwaiti female teachers association and eventually ended up as the female branch for the college of basic education, said Al-Ghunaim in his book.
Al-Shamiya also is home for one of the best cooperative societies in the country which was built in 1962, said Al-Ghunaim, adding that theaters, schools, research centers, and other public facilities could be found there.
Several well-known Kuwaiti families such as Al-Nefisi, Al-Ghanim, Al-Othman, and others have chosen Al-Shamiya area to be their home, said Al-Ghunaim. (end) stm.gta