Dubai, UAE (part 2): History and Traditions of UAE, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Dubai Creek

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

If you starve for a sun on the beach in winter time a swimming in the sea, pay your attention on Dubai city in UAE (United Arab Emirates). Here you can successfully combine excursions and beach leisure. The winter temperature here reaches +27 C, what is rather comfortable for walking and swimming at the same time.

It is extremely hot here in the summer time – about +50 C, the temperature of water can be even +40 C.

United Arab Emirates State was formed in the beginning of 1970s, when oil resources were found on the bottom of Persian Gulf near the seashore of the country. 7 emirates were united: Dubai, Abu-Dhabi (also the capital of the country), Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah.

Every emirate has its own ruler – “emir”. At the moment the ruler of Dubai is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

 

Population of Dubai is about 3 millions. Among them only 10% – are “emiratis” – citizens of United Arab Emirates, the rest of the inhabitants are “expatriates” (coming from other countries, such as: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, who came to UAE to earn money. In most cases they are involved in building and service sectors.

Most of local emiratis prefer wearing their traditional clothes: men – white long dress (kandura), and women – black long dress (abaya). The history of the emiratis’ clothes narrates us that an emirati man wears white clothes because he is the head of the family, he is an elegant representative. And an emirati woman is like a shadow of his husband. She must respect him, obey and support him at any time. Due to another version – women wore black dresses because in such clothes it was much safer to come back home from the desert in the dark time of the day, as they were less noticeable.

Dubai, local citizens

 

The Flag of UAE contains green, red, white and black colors, where green color symbolizes fertility, white – neutrality, red color reminds of former red-colored flag before the union of the emirates, black color symbolizes mineral oil.

Flag of UAE

 

It is possible to get in touch with history and traditions of UAE in the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which is near the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque.

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

You can experience an immersion in Muslim culture during the breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, ask any question regarding the history and traditions of UAE. The slogan of the centre is: “Open Doors, open Minds”. It is possible to visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding for free during its opening hours, look at the historical articles of locals’ life  and buy some thematic souvenirs.

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Дубай, культурный центр шейха Мохаммеда

You can check the time, price and availability for the cultural events on the website of the centre. 

One more interesting part in the centre is its photography exhibitions on the first floor, where you can have a look at the pictures of the most beautiful mosques of the Muslim world.

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural UnderstandingDubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural UnderstandingDubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

You can visit the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, accompanied by the guide from the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Centre. It is necessary to think over your clothes before visiting the mosque: long trousers/skirt, long sleeves, and shawl or scarf to cover the head for women.
Ticket price: about 25 AED per person.
Visiting hours: Monday-Friday, from 10:00 a.m, registration starts at 09:30 a.m.

Dubai, Jumeirah MosqueDubai, Jumeirah Mosque

 

The traditional local markets (souk) played an important role in the Arabian life. One of the most significant local markets is Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

 

Dubai Creek is the natural bay in historical part of Dubai, where the first settlement was formed. There were the houses of fishermen and pearl seekers. Now it is an open air museum, where you can see, how did the first settlers live and how did their houseware look like. Some views reminds of very popular Disney cartoon “Aladdin”. It seems like the main character will run somewhere on the roof together with his little monkey Abu 🙂

A plenty of cafes and restaurants of traditional arabian cuisine look gorgeous in the historical buildings of Dubai Creek.

Dubai, Dubai Creek Bay

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Dubai, Dubai Creek

Have you been to any of these places in Dubai? What are your impressions? If not yet, what place would you like to visit the most? Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Centre? Or Jumeirah Mosque? Maybe Dubai Creek? It will be interesting to read your opinion in comments below.

Author (c): Iryna Melnyk
Photos (c): Nick Melnyk

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