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All United Arab Emirates Halabat al Tawba
AO Edited

Halabat al Tawba

Outside a historic fort stands a replica of the “tree of repentance” where criminals were publicly punished.

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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Halabat al Tawba, Sharjah.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Halabat al Tawba, Sharjah.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The “tree of punishment.”   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The Sharjah Fort.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Outside the historic Sharjah Fort stands an unassuming yet curious monument called Halabat Al Tawba. At first glance, it appears to be just a piece of wood, but the plaque beside it provides a fascinating glimpse into Emirati history.

The story goes back to the reign of Sheikh Saqr bin Khalid Al Qasimi, circa 1883-1914. One day, a fire was caused by a blind man named Baseedou, who was cooking fish when his house, made of palm fronds, caught fire. It was a windy day, and the fire soon spread across the city, reaching the harbor where a pearling ship was anchored. The sheikh ordered the ropes holding her mast to be cut to let it fall into the water, successfully putting out the fire.

Later, the sheikh placed the burnt mast outside the fort. Petty criminals, as well as divers who refused to work, were tied to the pole and publicly punished. Today, a replica stands on the site of this “repentance wood,” a witness to Sharjah’s past.

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Fred Cherrygarden

Published

January 22, 2025

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Halabat al Tawba
Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
25.358626, 55.386557

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