Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Nestle Nespresso Execs Visit with SMCCU

smccudubai — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:13:28 +0000

This week we were keen to host a visit with the CEO and fellow execs from Nestle Nespresso. Our General Manager provided them with insight on many aspects of traditional and local cultural as well as discussing topics like Emiratization and its necessity and impact on companies based here, and the larger ideas behind the much needed program. The Emirates has growth exponentially over the last 40 years and while its physical progress can be easily measured, there are many aspects of Emirati life that have been given special attention by the rulers and visionaries of this country. With greater understanding of these concepts, businesses can better address the needs of the people living and working here. They can also incorporate and partnership with places like SMCCU to develop cohesive work environments and promote successful team building through cultural understanding. We would like to thank the Nestle Nespresso team for their enthusiasm and look forward to a continued collaboration!

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Filed under: News Tagged: culture, dubai, Emirati, Emiratization, Muslim, smccu

Members of the Dubai and Northern Emirates Homeschool Association Visit the Bastakiya

smccudubai — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:45:11 +0000

A group of homeschooling families joined us at the SMCCU for a historic tour around the Bastakiya. I was personally impressed with the children’s knowledge of the UAE, and their eagerness to learn more! What a bright and lively group of families. Thanks to Siobhan Mitchell for sharing her pictures with us and we look forward to seeing you at our other activities.

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Filed under: Events Tagged: Bastakiya, dubai, historic, home, homeschool, mosque, school, smccu

US Congressional Delegation Visit SMCCU

smccudubai — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:38:01 +0000

The Director of Congressional Affairs for the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC along with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-hosted several congressional members from the United States with us on a traditional Heritage Tour of the Bastakiya and Mosque. The tour was followed by dates and arabic coffee, prepared with Yemeni beans, ground and boiled with saffron and cardomon seed. Our General Manager and staff spoke about the culture, traditions and religion of the people of the UAE in an effort to promote cultural understanding on a global platform. We would like to thank our guests and co-hosts of the event. A interesting fact raised by one of our staff: Did you know that the Supreme Court North and South Halls are decorated with friezes (a long stretch of painted, sculpted or even calligraphic decoration in such a position on a wall, normally above eye-level) depicting some of the greatest lawgivers of all time, from Moses and Solomon to Confucious and yes, Mohammed (pbuh)? While depicting of any of the prophets is not acceptable in Islam, the fact remains that these Friezes were meant to embody the concept of justice, human rights and a recognition of the contributions of religious icons in the creation of common law.

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Filed under: News Tagged: Congress, dubai, Frieze, Islam, Mohammed, Muslim, SMCCUDubai, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Mosque UAE 40 Years Celebration

smccudubai — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:41:21 +0000

Sheikh Zayed Mosque UAE 40 Years Celebration
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Filed under: News

Famous Footballer KAKA visits SMCCU

smccudubai — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 07:36:12 +0000

The SMCCU welcomed famous footballer brothers KAKA & Digao and family to the Historic Bastakiya yesterday evening. As our guests Kaka and family visited the Bastakiya Mosque, sampled tradtional arabic Gahawa and dates in the SMCCU Wind Tower House, and ended their evening with a visit to our neighbors in the Bastakiya at a traditional Areesh House. A little know fact is that his brother is responsible for the nickname given to his famous brother Ricardo (Kaka). As a child he could not pronounce his name and called him “Kaka” instead. The nickname stuck. Thanks Digao!

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Filed under: Events, News Tagged: culture, Digao, dubai, Emirati, Kaka, smccu, UAE

School Visits Programme at SMCCU

smccudubai — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Its been a busy first term for students, and SMCCU has been keen to host many of the local schools this year at our cultural activities. Since September, students have participated in more than 50 activities, from Cultural Lunches and Breakfasts, to Bastakiya Hertiage Tours and Mosque Visits. Some of our highlights are featured below in the photo montage. We hope to see many more of you in the coming new year! A special thanks to Jumeirah College, for their vision and dedication to our common mission, promoting cultural understanding between our young children and families in the UAE. We’re always excited when new schools join our programmes; and this term we welcomed Bradenton Prep, Modern High School and Philadelphia School.

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Filed under: Events, News Tagged: Bastakiya, culture, dubai, Islam, Lunch, schools, Youth

Panel Discussion at the Women in Leadership Conference 2011

smccudubai — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:03:05 +0000

Nasif Kayed, General Manager of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was invited by the Women in Leadership Conference to be a part of its Panel Discussion on women in the workplace and the special challenges they face. Mr. Kayed spoke frankly about the rights of women to be educated and contributors to society. ”If your goal is to be a mother and raise your children to be the best in this society, then you must educate yourself first. This is a noble and necessary desire. But it doesn’t mean that you cannot become educated and also contribute to society outside of the home. We have women in government in the UAE, we have doctors, lawyers and teachers, engineers, women in the police force, pilots all vital to society and great role models for our youth”.

Filed under: Events, News

National Day Activities at SMCCU

smccudubai — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:54:34 +0000

In honor of the 40 Anniversary of the UAE’s formation the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding will be offering its many progammes for free on December 1st 2011. To join in the festivities, contact SMCCU at 04-353-6666

Filed under: Events, News

Guests Visit the Centre on Eid Al Adha

smccudubai — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:02:32 +0000

More than 200 guests attended various activities at SMCCU on the First day of Eid. Eid, a three day celebration after the Pilgrimage to Hajj, is usually spend visiting with family, friends and neighbors, or partaking in the end of Hajj itself in Mecca. I special thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers who took the time during that day to receive our guests at the Jumeirah Mosque Tour and Bastikiya Heritage Tour and Lunch.

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Filed under: Events, News Tagged: Bastikiya, culture, dubai, Eid, food, smccu

SMCCU Volunteer Appreciation Lunch

smccudubai — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:47:41 +0000

SMCCU volunteers were thanked for their service to the organization with a little dose of culture. Camel Burgers served up at the “Local House” in the Bastakiya. This was the first gathering after Ramadan, and GM Nasif Kayed says ”we wish to have more gatherings like these; the volunteers are an integral part of SMCCU.” Many of the special events that SMCCU participates in are run by our youth volunteers. These events included the Cultural Tent last year at Ibn Batutta Mall and this year at Dubai Festival City during Ramadan and the Epic Event at Dubai Mall.

Filed under: News