The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural UnderstandingThe Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, Centre for Cultural Understanding runs sessions to help people new to Dubai and the UAE understand the culture here. These highly recommended sessions include a tour of the Jumeira Mosque and are run for a couple of hours usually on a Sunday and Thursday morning.
See below for details
‘Open Doors. Open Minds’Jumeirah Masjid (mosque) - Open to Non-Muslims
Many of you may have heard about the Jumeirah masjid (mosque) visits conducted by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding….. But what is the masjid (mosque) visit all about?
Dubai is certainly an inspiration to the world, with so many nationalities residing together in harmony. However, it is easy to get lost in our everyday commitments and perhaps lose an opportunity to really discover the culture of this land and its people.
The masjid (mosque) visit is not about just taking photographs and seeing inside the masjid (mosque0. The “Open Doors. Open Minds” programme is exactly as the name suggests, a physical and spiritual adventure!
The Centre opens the door of the Jumeirah masjid (mosque) each Sunday and Thursday mornings to a group of inquisitive visitors. We start the visit with a quick guide through the architecture and washing procedures (wadu), and then it’s inside the mosque for an introduction to the five pillars of Islam. The main focus of the visit is the open Q&A sessions, whereby visitors can ask frank questions regarding the UAE culture and religion; including family life, dress code, anything!
Of the masjid visit programme, the Centre’s Director, Abdallah bin Eisa Al Serkal says: “A personal, first-hand experience allows more insight and understanding. It has always been the Centre’s philosophy to create opportunities for cultural exchange through our enjoyable activities.”
How can I participate? The Jumeirah Mosque visits are now four days a week, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings and no prior booking is required. at 10am sharp. You can just turn up on the day five minutes before the start. One of our registered guides will be there to meet you. Don’t be late, as after 10am you will not be allowed in!
Conservative dress is a must, for both men and women: no shorts, sleeveless shirts etc. For the ladies, a headscarf is required.
Unfortunately, at this time tours are only conducted in English language, but we can provide in Spanish, French and German if requested as a special booking. A charge will be incurred for these tours.
If someone would like to book a visit, please call our Centre, located in Bastakia, between 9am and 2pm, Saturday to Wednesday. Phone (04) 353-6666 or email smccu@emirates.net.ae
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (Bastakia) Phone: +971 4 3536666 Fax +971 4 3536661 Web: www.cultures.ae This page was last updated
by Leigh Butler on
June 14, 2007
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