Photo essay: A melting pot of cultures on Marafi Street in Abu Dhabi

The vibrant thoroughfare is located in Madinat Zayed, one of the oldest parts of the capital

Al Marafi Street in Madinat Zayed is known for its variety of shops. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

Everything from shoes to mobile phones can be purchased and anything from bikes to computers can be fixed

Mohammad Riffai, of Syria, has been working at Najma Demasdcus Book Shop for 15 years

Issa Sherani, 26, from Pakistan, works for his brother as a shoe and leather repair technician at Stars Gallery Shop

Shibil Mohammad, 21, from Kerala, is the youngest barber at Al Amar Salon to have his own chair

Showkat Khan is a professional bicycle and trading bike mechanic who has been repairing and assembling bikes in Pakistan since he was 15

Ali Sialkot, 26, from Pakistan, is a regular in almost all barber shops in downtown Abu Dhabi, selling scissors and shaving blades

Limousine driver Abubaker Mohammad has been living on Al Marafi Street for more than eight years and is a regular customer at Al Amar Salon

Mohamed Zayn, 6, from India, with his newly assembled bike, is a resident of Al Marafi Street

Mohamed Ismail, 27, from Pakistan but born in the UAE, works at Star Link Computers that his uncle and father started 40 years ago

Anas Anzy, 24, who studied mobile technology at the University of Kerala in India, works at his father's shop Cellpark

Parking spaces beside Summit International School along Al Marafi Street are a good place to look for movers and packers if on a budget

The buildings have several restaurants located on the ground floors while residents live above

Al Marafi Street in Madinat Zayed is bustling with people.

Located in one of the oldest areas in the heart of downtown Abu Dhabi, the district is known for its variety of shops, where everything from shoes to mobile phones can be purchased and anything from bikes to computers can be fixed.

The buildings have several restaurants located on the ground floors while residents live above. Barbershops, small grocery shops, pharmacies and clothing boutiques are also scattered around, catering to the lively neighbourhood.

For some, these stores have been family-run for decades with employees who have remained loyal for many years.

Syrian Mohammad Riffai has been at Najma Demasdcus Book Shop for 15 years while Pakistani Mohamed Ismail, 27, now works at Star Link Computers, a business his father and uncle started 40 years ago. Ismail has been around the shop since he first learnt the ropes when he was 15.

Anas Anzy, 24, studied mobile technology at the University of Kerala in India and returned to his father’s store CellPark Mobile Phones to work for the past four years. Pakistani Issa Sherani, 26, works for his brother as a shoe and leather repair technician at Stars Gallery Shop.

However, beyond stores, the area is also a good place to look for affordable movers and packers if on a budget. Mostly from Pakistan or Afghanistan, the men tend to have a minivan available to help transport belongings, with pricing for their services negotiable.

As the sun sets, the buzz of Al Marafi Street picks up as the air fills with a unique blend of different languages and rich aromas from surrounding restaurants and cafes.