January 2021
We visited to Al Madam Ghost Village and it felt like stepping into a place frozen in time. The village, half-buried in sand, offers a haunting yet fascinating glimpse into the past.
Weird, but true
Hidden in the outback of Sharjah lies a deserted village, once home to members of the Al Kutbi tribe. Today, its abandoned houses and weathered structures stand as quiet reminders of a past way of life.
Was it supernatural creatures who drove the people away from their village or did the desolation of the desert drive them mad?
Behind the town of Al Madam you find a tiny deserted village lost in sand. Locals know the place either as the “old village,” “ghost village,” or “buried village” of Al Madam. It consists of two rows of colorful houses and a mosque, all long-deserted and engulfed by the dunes.
Al Kutbi Tribe
The village was likely first built in the 1970s or ’80s and inhabited by the local Al Kutbi tribe.
The local legend holds that it was the jinns—supernatural creatures that Arabs and Muslims believe exist in a plane invisible to humans—who drove the people away from their village.
Walking through the empty 'streets', we could almost imagine how the community once thrived here: families gathering, daily routines unfolding, and traditions being passed down through generations. Over time, the village was left behind, likely as people moved toward more modern settlements.
Or, more likely, it was the advancing desert that forced residents to leave their homes. The town still holds a lingering sense of history, resilience, and quiet mystery.
We have to admit, it felt a little eerie at times, but overall, it was a great experience.
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