DTCM ORGANISE PROGRAMMES TO CELEBRATE WORLD HERITAGE DAY

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has organized a number of programmes at its heritage sites in Al Shindagha from April 18 to 20 to mark the World Heritage Day.

The programmes include performances of traditional dances like Al Ayala, Al Youla and Al Rezfa. Traditional kitchens were also organized to offer insights into the Emirati cuisine.

A workshop on heritage was also held for the school children. A traditional souq was another highlight of the programmes in addition to a henna corner and performance by Dubai police band. A traditional theatre show was also organized.

The venue attracted a number of visitors hailing from various nationalities.

The heritage sites in the emirate attracted 16 per cent more visitors in 2008 compared with the previous year.

The heritage sites operated by the DTCM received 1,009,848 visitors last year, up from 873,831 recorded in the year 2007.

The heritage sites under DTCM’s supervision are Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Dubai Museum, Al Ahmadiah School, Heritage House, Heritage Village, Diving Village, Umm Al Shief Majlis, Naif Museum and Hatta Heritage Village.

DM renovates heritage buildings in Hatta

Dubai Municipality recently renovated the traditional Al Sharia Musalla and Bait Al Waly in the Hatta area.
Eng. Rashad Bukhash, Director of Architectural Heritage Department said the renovation work was part of the Municipality's plan for renovation of mosques in the Emirate of Dubai.
He said the renovation work also comes as part of the efforts to preserve the architectural heritage and to highlight the reality of this heritage, and an emphasis on a deep sense of historical and cultural features.
"The restoration and reconstruction work, based on scientific and international standards, forms an important point in the strategy of the Architectural Heritage Department, which is keen on the restoration and reconstruction of existing buildings in historic areas in the Emirate of Dubai. The work is done in a successful way with the level of quality and excellence these places deserve and this is reflected by the case of work done and the work still continues," said Bukhash.
"The restoration work was done according to international specifications by workers who have high skill and efficiency. With the help of Fujairah Municipality, we had undertaken the renovation of the historical Bidya mosque and some architectural conservation projects in Ras Al Khaimah, in addition to providing expertise and support in the restoration projects in Syria, Morocco and Yemen to preserve the urban and architectural heritage landmarks in the Arab states as a highlight of the features of culture and tradition," he said.
"The historic buildings are tourist attractions in Dubai but to make the area vital historic buildings are used for commercial and awareness purposes. Some restored buildings have been leased to a number of hotels, restaurants and cafes and for the purpose of art displays and some buildings that are to be restored are rented for accommodation purposes," said Bukhash.

DM joins Heritage Exhibition at Umm Suqeim School

The Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality participated in the "Heritage Exhibition," which was held along side the exhibition on security education in Umm Suqeim School for Elementary Education for Girls, in cooperation with Dubai Police on Monday, March 2, 2009.
The opening was attended by Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, General Commander of Dubai Police and officers from the Dubai Police and Mr. Taha Al Humeiri Director of Dubai Knowledge Authority, in addition to the teaching staff of the school.
Rashad BuKhash, Director of Architectural Heritage Department said the Municipality's participation in the exhibition included providing the requirements of the old Bedouin life such as the Arish (dry date palm leaves used to cover the olden tents), the Bedouin tent and the well set in a traditional environment in the courtyard of the school.
He pointed out that the involvement of the Architectural Heritage Department in the exhibition comes as part of the keenness of the Department to keep abreast of important events in Dubai in all aspects of the popular heritage and tradition.

Bukhash said that this participation is an important part of the objectives of the Architectural Heritage Department, which aims to promote and disseminate awareness of the importance of heritage and respect for legacy in the hearts of students and the security aspect to them.

DM gets membership in International Council of Museums

The Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality has recently got membership in the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The ICOM is an international organization formed in 1946 in Paris under the UNESCO with 151 member countries. Its associates work in the field of design and management of museums.

Eng. Rashad BuKhash, Director of Architectural Heritage Department said this membership offers a number of important matters in museum science to Dubai Municipality such as cooperation, professional exchange, development of tourist guides and museum curators, spreading of knowledge, increasing awareness about museums, updating on the latest developments in the field of museum designing and management, and increasing cooperation with global organizations and international museums in the field of heritage awareness.

He said this exclusive membership related to study and development of museums is a result of the concerted efforts of the Municipality in creating bridges of cooperation with international organizations for preserving the cultural heritage as well as the heritage of the UAE for near and far future.

Coins House offers glimpses into the history of coins in the region

Dubai, 31 August 2008: Dubai Municipality will soon open to public the Coins House, a dedicated museum for nearly 500 ancient coins that were in circulation in the region since time of the Islamic caliphates.

The museum has been set in an ancient historic building that dates back to 1918 and which was restored to its former glory by the Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality in the Al Bastakiya Heritage District as part of its comprehensive renovation plan for the heritage districts in Al Shindagha, Al Ras and Al Bastakiya.

According to Rashad Bukhash, Director of Architectural Heritage Department at Dubai Municipality, the Coins House consists of several sections including the one which displays information on history of coins. The second room displays some 16 pieces of ancient coins from the Sassanid Empire that were in circulation at the time of the four prominent caliphs (Al Khulafaau Ar-Rashidin) and the Amawi Caliphate. The third room consists of 64 pieces of coins (dinars and dirhams) from Amawi Caliphate stating from the period of Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan and until the fall of the caliphate in 132 Hijri Year, which was at the time of Caliph Marwan Bin Mohammed.

The fourth room has 115 pieces of coins (dinars and dirhams) from the Abbasid Caliphate starting from the era of Caliph Abul Abbas Al Seffah, founder of the caliphate, until the fall of the caliphate in the era of Al Mustasim Bellah.

The fifth room comprises of 45 pieces of coins from ancient Egypt, the region previously known as Belad Al Sham, and Turkey during the rein of the Tulunids who were the first independent dynasty in Islamic Egypt (868–905 AD), the Fatimid Caliphate that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Egypt, and the Levant from 5 January 909 to 1171, the Mamluks, and Othamia Caliphate.

The sixth room consists of 91 pieces of coins from Iraq, the Mashreq, and coins from the Bahai, Saljouk and other various dynasties. The two other rooms consist of a total of 124 pieces of coins from North Africa, Spain, the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE and other countries of the region.