Located within the midst of the ancient residencies within the Dubai area stands the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). SMCCU aims to bring down what seems to be barriers between people—their different nationalities. Languages and difference of culture are among those which keeps one apart, especially when visiting a country. It is then necessary to understand more about the Arab culture. It is one way of spending a true vacation here in Dubai.
Among the goals of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is to raise awareness about their local culture. This also includes helping one to improve the cross-cultural familiarization and understanding of the local tradition. Having an individual immersed within the Islamic culture for a time will surely strike that awareness and appreciation for the true beauty of this tradition.
It is recommended for visitors and foreign residents to be integrated with this institution in order to get the fullest grasp of the society. The SMCCU organizes special tours and activities, which includes many of the most interesting sites within Dubai. It is a one of a kind adventure that allows one to breathe the whole Dubai experience.
Among the many activities are Jumeira Mosque tours, which interestingly, is the only Mosque which is open to foreigners and non-Muslims. While this is accommodative to strangers, one must be accompanied by and SMCCU guide in order to enter. The tours are open every Weekends—Saturdays and Sundays, as well as in Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 in the morning. It is suggested that one must be appropriately dressed—best in conservative wear, as to pay respects to the country’s culture.
One can also experience a traditional, home-made breakfast within the stately atmosphere of the SMCCU center. This abode is located in the Bastakia quarter. Additionally, there are Bastalkia walking tours which allows the visitor to catch the glimpse of the historical place.
Cultural Lunch sessions are open to visitors, offering fresh and well prepared dishes that exude that true Arab taste. Within this date, one can also catch a fascinating explanation to the tradition by a local guide. For those who want to take their Arab knowledge into a deeper level, one can take up Gulf Dialect which is an 8-week Arabic language course.
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