UAE then and now: Images of Jumeirah Mosque show a Dubai on the cusp of change


James Langton
  • English
  • Arabic

Today, life in the Emirates moves in the fast lane. In a new regular series to mark the 50th anniversary of the UAE we take a little trip back in time and see just how much the country has changed.

With a prime location on fashionable Beach Road, the Jumeirah Mosque is a familiar site to generations of Dubai residents, and also to many thousands of visitors to the city.

A gift from the former Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, the mosque, and the accompanying Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, are a gateway to those seeking deeper knowledge of Islam and life in the UAE.

As with Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Jumeirah Mosque is open to visitors from other faiths, operating regular organised tours.

In the first photograph, the mosque is seen under construction in 1977, complete with an American “gas guzzler” car heading towards the centre of town.

In those days, Jumeirah, already becoming a desirable residential area, was transforming from a fishing village to a suburb of Dubai. Travelling in the other direction would eventually take you to Chicago Beach, a gated community for the emirate's offshore oil workers and later a popular resort hotel.

Today it is the site of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, although the name has survived as an Emarat petrol station.

The mosque was completed in 1979. Architecturally, it draws from the Fatimid Caliphate of Syria and Egypt, with a large central dome, twin minarets and elaborate stonework, whose intricacies are best viewed in the nighttime illuminations.

It can accommodate up to 1,500 worshippers but its mission is much greater than that, as expressed with the philosophy "open doors, open minds".

Since the late 1990s, the mosque has operated guided tours six days a week – Fridays are reserved for worship – along with a cup of gahwa Arabic coffee and traditional Emirati light refreshments.

It works in tandem with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, founded in 1998 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the current Ruler. The centre is a non-profit organisation which offers everything from guided walking tours to talks and exhibitions.

The good news is that despite Covid-19, guided tours have resumed at the mosque.

Jumeirah: Dubai's best-known beachside suburb

  • Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim is one of the most popular recreational areas of Dubai, with numerous restaurants, cafes, shops and water sports kiosks. Pawan Singh / The National
    Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim is one of the most popular recreational areas of Dubai, with numerous restaurants, cafes, shops and water sports kiosks. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The beach is a key attraction for Dubai residents looking to live in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National
    The beach is a key attraction for Dubai residents looking to live in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Market and restaurant area at Kite Beach in the Umm Suqeim area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Market and restaurant area at Kite Beach in the Umm Suqeim area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Estate agent, Harry Tregoning is the founder of Tregoning Property. Pictured at Kite Beach in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Estate agent, Harry Tregoning is the founder of Tregoning Property. Pictured at Kite Beach in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Umm Suqeim Park is a popular location for picnics and children's playtime. It is right next to Sunset Beach in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai, with views of the Burj Al Arab and the sea. Pawan Singh / The National
    Umm Suqeim Park is a popular location for picnics and children's playtime. It is right next to Sunset Beach in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai, with views of the Burj Al Arab and the sea. Pawan Singh / The National
  • View of the Jumeirah Beach Boad in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai. This is the arterial road that runs from Umm Suqeim, all the way up into Jumeirah near the Water Canal. Pawan Singh / The National
    View of the Jumeirah Beach Boad in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai. This is the arterial road that runs from Umm Suqeim, all the way up into Jumeirah near the Water Canal. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Tourists and residents can hire boats and jet skis in one of the many 'fishing villages' along in the coast of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. This is the market, water sports and restaurant area of the P&O Marina in Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National
    Tourists and residents can hire boats and jet skis in one of the many 'fishing villages' along in the coast of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. This is the market, water sports and restaurant area of the P&O Marina in Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jet skis setting off for a tour of the Dubai coastline, from the water sports and restaurant area at the P&O Marina in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Jet skis setting off for a tour of the Dubai coastline, from the water sports and restaurant area at the P&O Marina in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Most of the big supermarket chains are well represented in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. This is the Spinneys Centre on the corner of Al Wasl and Um Al Sheif Road in Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National
    Most of the big supermarket chains are well represented in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. This is the Spinneys Centre on the corner of Al Wasl and Um Al Sheif Road in Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Most residences in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are low-rise villas. Many have private pools and gardens. There are also compound communities with town houses and shared facilities. Pawan Singh / The National
    Most residences in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are low-rise villas. Many have private pools and gardens. There are also compound communities with town houses and shared facilities. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The popular jogging track runs along the beach from Umm Suqeim Park, all the way up past the Water Canal, into Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National
    The popular jogging track runs along the beach from Umm Suqeim Park, all the way up past the Water Canal, into Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Glimpses of old Dubai - a view of the flower shop near Safa Park 2 in the Umm Suqeim area in Dubai. The area is a mix of expats and local Emiratis. Pawan Singh / The National
    Glimpses of old Dubai - a view of the flower shop near Safa Park 2 in the Umm Suqeim area in Dubai. The area is a mix of expats and local Emiratis. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Safa Park 2 in Umm Suqeim is a huge draw for families with children, as it contains several climbing frames. Pawan Singh / The National
    Safa Park 2 in Umm Suqeim is a huge draw for families with children, as it contains several climbing frames. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah are established areas of Dubai, with mature gardens and parks. Pawan Singh / The National
    Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah are established areas of Dubai, with mature gardens and parks. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A view of the harbour from one of the fishing villages along the coast of Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National
    A view of the harbour from one of the fishing villages along the coast of Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National
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All Black 39-12 British & Irish Lions

Lions tour fixtures

3 JuneProvincial BarbariansWon 13-7

7 JuneBluesLost 22-16

10 JuneCrusadersWon 12-3

13 JuneHighlandersLost 23-22

17 JuneMaori All BlacksWon 32-10

20 JuneChiefsWon 34-6

24 JuneNew ZealandLost 30-15

27 JuneHurricanes

1 JulyNew Zealand

8 JulyNew Zealand

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

RESULTS

Bantamweight title:
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) bt Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
(KO round 2)
Catchweight 68kg:
Sean Soriano (USA) bt Noad Lahat (ISR)
(TKO round 1)
Middleweight:
Denis Tiuliulin (RUS) bt Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
(TKO round 1)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) bt Joachim Tollefsen (DEN)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 68kg:
Austin Arnett (USA) bt Daniel Vega (MEX)
(TKO round 3)
Lightweight:
Carrington Banks (USA) bt Marcio Andrade (BRA)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 58kg:
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) bt Malin Hermansson (SWE)
(Submission round 2)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (CAN) bt Juares Dea (CMR)
(Split decision)
Middleweight:
Mohamad Osseili (LEB) bt Ivan Slynko (UKR)
(TKO round 1)
Featherweight:
Tarun Grigoryan (ARM) bt Islam Makhamadjanov (UZB)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 54kg:
Mariagiovanna Vai (ITA) bt Daniella Shutov (ISR)
(Submission round 1)
Middleweight:
Joan Arastey (ESP) bt Omran Chaaban (LEB)
(Unanimous decision)
Welterweight:
Bruno Carvalho (POR) bt Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
(TKO)

New schools in Dubai
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus

RESULTS

5pm: Rated Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
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6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
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7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner: Son Of Normandy, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash