Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) is based in the Bastakia Quarter of Dubai and was established with the aim of removing the barriers between people of different nationalities and to raise awareness of the local culture, its traditions, customs and Islam among foreign residents and visitors. They do this by organising numerous tours and activities including:
Jumeirah Mosque Tours
Jumeirah Mosque is the only Mosque in the UAE open to non-Muslims. Visitors must be accompanied by a SMCCU guide. Tours are every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 10 am. No booking necessary. Appropriate conservative dress required. The meeting point is outside the Jumeirah Mosque.
Cultural Breakfast
Experience a traditional home made U.A.E breakfast in the ambience of the SMCCU’s centre, a typical wind tower house in the Bastakia quarter. The breakfasts are held on Mondays at 10 am. Bookings required.
Bastakia Walking Tours
A traditional tour of the historical Bastakia Quarter. Tours are every Sunday and Thursday at 10 am. Bookings are essential.
Cultural Lunch
Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of local dishes with an explanation of the region’s tradition and culture by a UAE national. Every Sunday at 1 pm. Bookings required.
Spoken Arabic Courses - Gulf Dialect
An eight week Arabic language course. Bookings required.