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.
