Dubai to have its 15th museum

Dubai: The emirate will open its 15th museum in about two weeks and will have two more by next year, a senior Dubai Municipality official told Gulf News.

The museum will be dedicated to Emirati poet Al Aqaili and has been built in the poet's old house in Deira. It will have the poet's works and memorabilia on display.

"We will have the 15th museum this year. There are many more on the way. Museums provide a window into the tradition and heritage of a place and we will continue to develop more museums in future," Abdullah Rafee, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality, told said.

The emirate will have two more museums by the end of next year, said Rashad Bukhash, Director of the Architectural Heritage Department of the Municipality.

Culture

Rafee, who inaugurated the International Museums Day celebrations at the Falcon Centre in Nad Al Sheba, said the municipality is making many efforts to promote the culture and tradition toward which it is involving people from all segments.

"This time there is an encouraging participation from other departments and we also have school children. By involving children we want them to know about their heritage right from the start."

Among the several activities that were organised to mark the day was an exhibition by artist Abdul Rauf. "I have been inspired by our rules right from my childhood. Through these works displayed here, I have tried to portray them and their lives and feel that knowing about them is a great inspiration."

View the original article here

Sharjah Museums Department Receives Fr�d�ric Mitterrand At Sharjah Museum Of Islamic Civilization

Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) on Saturday received French Minister of Culture His Excellency Frédéric Mitterrand, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation, at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (SMIC).

The French minister of culture is the cabinet member in charge of the national museums, monuments and promoting and protecting the arts. He was accompanied by a large delegation that included HE French Consul General Jerald Telm and a number of French dignitaries. He was received by His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Abdullah Al Owais, president of the Department of Culture and Information and Ms. Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department and the curator of Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

The visit is an important step for the French minister to familiarize himself with all the cultural institutions in the UAE and the visit to Sharjah recognizes the longstanding reputation of Sharjah as the cultural capital. As per the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate has cultivated the culture and arts scene for over 20 years, including the more recent establishment of SMD that manages over 16 museums in Sharjah that cover a variety of disciplines including, contemporary art, heritage, archeology, Islamic art and history, children’s learning, science, calligraphy to name a few. Lead by Ms. Manal Ataya, the DG of SMD, the museums sector has flourished, opening new museums, supporting educational institutions, initiating innovative outreach and community programs and developing new projects as part of its 5 year strategic plan. SMD will organize in 2 years time with other cultural entities exciting programming as the emirate proudly celebrates Sharjah as “Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014”.

The minister and his delegation were taken on a tour of the museums numerous galleries which feature more than 5,000 precious artifacts & collections from all over the Islamic World that date back to various Islamic ages spanning 1,400 years. The collection was gifted by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah when the museum opened in 2008. He was also given a brief on the educational programs and workshops organized by the Museum with the aim of enhancing learning for all as part of their accessibility initiative. Moreover, he was briefed on the upcoming exhibtion program for the museum which includes the “Owen Jones: Islamic Design, Discovery and Vision” exhibition from the Victoria & Albert Museum, UK opening mid March 2012 at Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

Highlighting the importance of the visit, Manal Ataya, SMD Director General, said:" We are honored to welcome the French cultural minister to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization as it reflects the cultural value and the status the museum occupies on an international level, as well as the importance we place on dialogue and cultural exchange we strive for to raise greater awareness on the richness of islamic thought, art and culture."

The French minister and his delegation expressed their gratitude after the visit as it contributed significantly to enhancing their knowledge about cultural activities in Sharjah and the UAE in general. His Excellency Frédéric Mitterrand, said on the occasion that he specifically asked to visit this museum for the reputation it holds as one of the 3 most important Islamic museum collections in the Gulf Region. He praised the museum and thanked His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for his generous hospitality and visionary dedication to supporting cultural heritage and the arts.

View the original article here

Sharjah Museums Department Hosts First Health Education Exhibition At Sharjah Science Museum

The Health Education Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in cooperation with Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) yesterday opened the first Health Education Exhibition at the Sharjah Science Museum.

The health event, which runs from 7-9 February from 9am to 2pm, was opened under the patronage of and in the presence of Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs.

The three-day health exhibition is aimed at identifying the Health Education Department and its affiliated bodies as well as at spreading health awareness about healthy behaviors and healthy lifestyles among the public.

A number of events and workshops targeting both adults and minors are held as part of the health exhibition with the participation of a large number of government bodies from various emirates.

Commenting on the event, Manal Ataya, SMD Director General, said, hosting the health exhibition at the Sharjah Science Museum comes as part of the initiative "Because We Care" with the aim of raising health awareness in the community.

She underlined the need to hold such exhibitions in order to educate the public about medical topics and raise their awareness about causes of diseases and preventive measures particularly among young age groups and families.

Sharjah Aquarium is participating in the event with two small aquariums, the first of which contains various marine species, offering the opportunity for the visiting students to experience and learn about marine environment and biodiversity in the UAE.

The second aquarium does not contain marine species, but contains water polluted by harmful substances called pollutants to educate school children about the need to preserve marine environment and its biodiversity.

A wide range of events are held as part of the health exhibition, including workshops for children, such as school lunch bang, a journey into the human body, dangers of plastic bags, teeth cleaning, agricultural methods at home, dangers of child obesity and diabetes check up, among others. A workshop on paper recycling is also organized by the Sharjah Science Museum, while the Sharjah Environment and Natural Reserves Authority is organizing a workshop titled "What the Nature Gives US", and another workshop on how to grow a plant.

The Health Education Department at Sharjah Municipality is organizing activities for educating children about types of dangerous toys, while Dubai Municipality will distribute a booklet on food chain, and pamphlets on osteoporosis. The World of Edutainment will distribute storybooks, booklets and games for children, while Desert Group will offer saplings for planting. The House of Fun is participating in the event through entertaining games and sand drawing, while Kalimat Publishing House is participating by distribution of leaflets and educational storybooks. A show on the importance of water will be performed Sharjah Scouts.

Workshops and activities organized by the Health Education Department also include nutritional counseling and measurement of body mass and body fat. Friends of Cancer Patients also participate effectively in the event by spreading awareness about breast cancer and distribution leaflets and the Pink Caravan’s products. Meanwhile, Friends of Arthritis Patient’s participating is represented in offering free examination of osteoporosis and distribution of the society’s publications. Society of Kidney Patients Friends offers free blood pressure Measurement for visitor, while Breastfeeding Association offers advices on breastfeeding.

The Sharjah Medical Zone is organizing awareness activities awareness on human heart health. There are other events organized by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority , Ajman Department of Public Health and Environment and Abu Dhabi Municipality which organizes lectures on the importance of slaughter in slaughterhouses and dangers of slaughtering outside slaughterhouses, dangers of black henna, dangers of prohibited consumer goods on human health, and dangers of cosmetics violating health rules, in addition to educational events on the importance of not throwing waste and cigarette butts.

The Nutrition Department of the Dubai Health Authority will offer examination of osteoporosis and Sharjah Municipality will distribute educational brochures on the hazards of cosmetics and dangerous children’s toys. The motherhood and childhood Centre is organizing awareness events on breastfeeding and breast cancer.

View the original article here