The United Arab Emirates is full of wonders. They have wonderful beaches, great architecture, museums, mosques, scenic views, and a whole lot more. There are so many free things to do here like having a picnic, frolicking under the sun, spotting flamingoes, going bird watching, and a ton more of fun activities.

A scenic view in the United Arab Emirates. (Link: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/area-guide/ras-al-khaimah/jazirat-al-hamra)

However, one of the visited places here does not have anything to do with having a fun time because it’s visited due to its supposed ghostly apparitions and paranormal activities. This historical place is known as the Al Jazirat Al Hamra and it is dubbed as a ghost town.

An aerial shot of Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: https://www.anique-ahmed.com/aerial-photography-dubai/)

The History Of Al Jazirat Al Hamra

The Al Jazirat Al Hamra is located in the city of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. It is known for the abandoned houses that still stands to this day as well as other buildings like a mosque. Initially, the town was occupied by the Zaab tribe until they were relocated in Abu Dhabi due to a dispute.

Before it became the home of arounds 200 people, it was a tidal island and only became a residence in 1830. During the time that it was occupied, the Zaab tribe had around 500 sheep and 150 cattle. They also had 25 pearling boats as it was the principal source of income of the tribe. By 1914, the town was under the ruling of Ras Al Khaimah. However, because of the often dispute that the tribe had with the ruler, they were moved under the ruling of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. More than 2,500 people left the town and it was never occupied again.

Now, the Al Jazirat Al Hamra remains open and can be visited by anyone because it’s free to go here since there are no tour guides available. It looks like an open museum because visitors can check out the buildings and items left behind by the former community that once inhabited it. It is coined as a town frozen in time.

The architecture here is also amazing because most of the buildings were built from corals held together by mud and covered by woven date palms that served as roofs. Most of the buildings in this alleged ghost town remain to stand to this day and it amazes visitors because it withstood time, conflict, and sandstorms.

Some of the buildings that remain standing at Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: https://www.bordersofadventure.com/ras-al-khaimah-ghost-town-uae/)

Some of the items that can be found in Al Jazirat Al Hamra are a car, a boat, pillows, bed frames, and things that would signify people really lived there but seemingly left in a hurry when they abandoned their town.

A boat at Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: https://thetravelhack.com/uae/al-jazirat-al-hamra-the-ghost-town-of-ras-al-khaimah/)

An abandoned bed at the Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: https://www.bordersofadventure.com/ras-al-khaimah-ghost-town-uae/)

An abandoned car at Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: http://www.dubaiweek.ae/dxb-guides/9629/discover-dxb-on-tour-uaes-ghost-village-jazirat-al-hamra-rak/)

The Ghosts At Al Jazirat Al Hamra

Some claim that the reason why the inhabitants of Al Jazirat Al Hamra was because of the conflict with their ruler. Others believe, however, that it was because of the ghosts that haunt the town.

Sunset at Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: http://bjornmoerman.blogspot.com/2012/03/pick-of-week-9-sunset-over-jazirat-al.html)

Many claim to hear strange noises, chilling wails, and unexplained apparitions. Locals and expats alike usually avoid Al Jazirat Al Hamra but it is particularly inviting to tourists.

A group of tourists shared their experience when they went to explore Al Jazirat Al Hamra one evening. According to the writer, they drove around the village until they found a clearing. They then got off and started to take photos. One particular photo stunned them. The writer shared, “Few of my friends decided to get their picture taken in front of the old fort. The camera was a digi-cam and when she clicked the picture, she showed us that there was what seemed like a shadow holding my friend around his waist with the head on my friend’s chest. We were freaked and tried to click a few more pictures of the same scene, trying to get that image to show up. Well nothing came up in the other pictures. There were no lights or lamps in the village and the only light that came was from the moon and the camera flash, so we didn’t know what to make of the picture.”

Al Jazirat Al Hamra at night. (Link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/ras-al-khaimah/kt-journos-to-spend-night-at-supernatural-rak-palace)

They then entered a home and around six of them had the same feeling. They felt like they were punched in the gut and they suddenly had the urge to throw up. That was when the group decided to get out of the village but while they were doing so, they claimed they saw shadows emerging from nowhere. They were able to get inside their car and raced out of the village. Once they were on the main road, most of them said they no longer felt the worst stomachache that they felt while inside Al Jazirat Al Hamra.

The Djinn Of Al Jazirat Al Hamra

According to locals, what tourists and thrill seekers must be aware of is the presence of Djinn at Al Jazirat Al Hamra. Djinn are invisible spirits fount in Islamic and pre-Islamic Arab mythology. They are described to have free will like humans and they can do both evil and good deeds. They reportedly have the tendency to intervene in human affairs. They are said to be the equivalent of genies in the western culture. However, in Arab culture, they are described as shape shifters and they usually assume the form of black dogs or snakes.

In 2013, the movie “Djinn” was released. It was actually sponsored by the government of Abu Dhabi and it was filmed at Al Jazirat Al Hamra.

Handprint Impressions At Al Jazirat Al Hamra

A local horror filmmaker named Faisal Hashmi said that when they decided to visit the village one night, they felt a sense of dread. Also, the spirits lurking at the abandoned town is said to have left handprint impressions in order to warn people that they should no longer enter their territory.

Former Residents Visit Al Jazirat Al Hamra

On some days, former residents of Al Jazirat Al Hamra still visit their old homes. Some say that their ancestors remain in the area so they still come by as much as they could. Others say that they just want to relax that is why they still go there.

Every year, they also host a reunion party because the families want to preserve their town since it is both their legacy and heritage. The yearly event started back in 2012.

A photo showing the annual reunion at Al Jazirat Al Hamra. (Link: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/ras-al-khaimah-tribe-return-to-abandoned-village-1.365157)