Travelers to the United Arab Emirates can increase their understanding of Emirati culture and the Islamic faith by joining a guided tour of the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai.
Located in Dubai’s beachside area, the Jumeirah Mosque, built in medieval Fatimid style in 1978, is a beautiful white stone structure with towering twin minarets framing a large central dome. Its seashell-like finish and colouring fit perfectly with the mosque’s position opposite the white sands of Jumeirah Beach.
Jumeirah Mosque is the only mosque in Dubai open to non-Muslims, and one of only two open to non-Muslims in the United Arab Emirates. The other is the new Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Non-Muslims can visit Jumeirah Mosque as part of a guided tour commencing at 10 am every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. The tour costs 10 dirhams (3 USD) and lasts an hour and a quarter. Bookings are not required but visitors should arrive at least five minutes beforehand. Latecomers are not permitted entry.
The Jumeirah Mosque Tour
On the tour visitors have the opportunity to learn about the architecture of the mosque and the religious significance of key design features. Photography is permitted.
However, the main purpose of the tour is to provide non-Muslims with a greater understanding of Islam. Male and female guides explain the origins of the religion and its central tenets, the five pillars of Islam:
- declaration of faith (shahada),
- prayer (salah)
- alms giving (zakah)
- fasting (saum) during the month of Ramadan
- pilgrimage (hajj).
Explanations of the five times daily call to prayer and demonstrations of the Islamic prayer ritual are also provided. The tour concludes with an open question and answer session where visitors can ask questions about Islam and Emirati culture.
Open Doors, Open Minds
The Jumeirah Mosque tour is part of the Open Doors, Open Minds Program conducted by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). The centre works to reduce barriers between different nationalities and raise awareness of Emirati culture and Islamic religion among foreign residents and visitors to the UAE.
In addition to the mosque tour, the SMCCU hosts cultural breakfasts and lunches where visitors can learn more about life and religion in the Emirates. Breakfasts are held Mondays at 10 am and lunches on Sundays at 1 pm. The venue for both events is the SMCCU building in the historic Bastakiya area of Bur Dubai. Breakfast costs 50 dirhams (14 USD) per guest and lunch 60 dirhams (16 USD). Bookings are required. See below for contact details.
Useful Information about Jumeirah Mosque
- The mosque is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah, Dubai.
- A stop at Jumeirah Mosque is included in the Dubai Big Bus Beach Tour.
- In addition to scheduled tours, private and evening tours can be arranged by contacting the SMCCU.
- Scheduled tours are conducted in English but tours in other languages can be arranged with prior notice to the SMCCU.
- As with visits to all mosques, both male and female visitors should dress modestly, ensuring their arms and legs are covered. Shoes should be removed before entering the mosque and women should cover their heads. Robes and scarves are available for loan near the entrance to the mosque.
- Contact details: Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, P.O Box 21210 Dubai, UAE. Tel: +971 (UAE) 4 (Dubai) 353 6666
