Home » Dubai » Dubai Society and Culture » Cultural Organisations » SMCCU SMCCU in Abu Dhabi & Dubai UAE Directory

Dubai is a uniquely modern and cosmopolitan city and the United Arab Emirates is home for families of 150 nationalities, each with their own distinctive culture. Families, expatriates and UAE nationals, are neighbors; however they can also be strangers. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, saw the need to lower the cultural barriers between families and to help expatriates understand the traditions and customs of the UAE. His vision led to the creation of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in 1995 by Mr. Abdallah bin Eisa Al Serkal. Since 1997, the Centre has operated under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Centre first started in 1998 in the Dubai Shopping Festival with a small stand on Diaffaya Street in the evenings.This stand was the starting point of the centre. It was here that a group of volunteers gave out leaflets and invited people to a cultural experience as part of the shopping festival programme. This cultural tour began at the Grand Jumeirah Mosque in the morning, followed by a camel ride in the desert and then to a traditional lunch in a U.A.E Nationals house. The name of this unique programme was Islam and Culture in Dubai. This programme attracted hundreds of people from all walks of life and nationalities. As response grew to the centre it was then that the Director decided to approach His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to be a patron of the centre in 1999. The centre has since been known as The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. In January 2003 the centre finally moved to its new home at the Dubai Municipality Historical Building Section, Bastikya area, Bur Dubai. The Director : Abdullah bin Essa Al Serkal As the Emirates people represent a small percentage of the overall population of Dubai, it can be challenging for expatriates and visitors to experience and understand our rich culture. There was a need to be met, and this was the key factor in inspiring me to establish this Centre, from there we have developed the centre into a place where all nationalities can exchange ideas and understand each other a little better. Since the Centers inception we have won several awards in recognition of the unique activities we have provided like

 

Address: P.O Box: 21210 Dubai, UAE
Telephone: 971 4 353 6666
Fax: 971 4 353 6661
Website: http://www.cultures.ae/