DUBAI: Gem of Arabian Desert

Dubai: Gem of Arabian Desert

 

It was in 2011 when an Emirates flight from Kolkata landed me to Dubai International Airport during the month of Ramadan. Dubai, the city of creeks and souks is an island of prosperity in the Arabian Desert and has several renowned, glitzy malls like Burjuman City Centre, Dubai Shopping Mall, Dubai Marina, Souk Jumeirah Madinat and The Great Ibn Batuta Mall displaying high-end global brands.

Dubai Museum

 

DUBAI MUSEUM

 

 The heritage landmark of Dubai lying close to the Grand Mosque is the oldest museum in Emirates that belong to 1800. Earlier known as Al-Fahaidi Fort, the foundation of the museum was laid down by the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the founder of Dubai in 1971 in honour of his ancestor. 

 

Exhibits at the Dubai Museum

 

The age-old monument with a massive wooden gateway; spans 41 metres in length and 33 metres in width traces 50000-year-old rich history of the land of Emirates. The study of Islam has influenced the city architecture. At the museum there are fascinating life-size displays of early Arabs engaged in professions like crafting, jewellery making, dress making, falconry, selling dry fruits, blacksmith, dhow making, owning a herd of camels and teaching in madrasas.

Burj Khalifa

 

BURJ KHALIFA

 

The tallest tower in the world soars high up in the sky as the pride of Emirates.

Burj al Arab

BURJ AL ARAB

 

 The magnificent high-rise is the world-famous seven-star hotel in the heart of the city.

JUMEIRAH MOSQUE

 

Jumeirah Mosque

 

The mosque in Old Dubai has been built on the lines of Fatimi Mosque in Egypt and for all those who wish to know more about Islam and the national culture of Emirates, the Sheikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding provides an opportunity to all visitors.

 

THE GREAT IBN BATUTA SHOPPING MALL

Great Ibn Batuta shopping mall

 

 

The glittering shopping mall with amazing architecture exhibits the treasured curios and antiques from the bygone era and has a prominent, arched gateway. 

 

Travels of Ibn Batuta

 

The mall depicts the journeys of the great Egyptian scholar, Ibn Batuta and there are many courts like Egyptian Souk, Persian Court, Ibn Batuta Souk, Chinese, Indian and Tunisia Courts that flaunt prized items from sought-after international brands. We also took a peek at the travels of Ibn Batuta illustrated at the mall.