Situated in Jumairah,
Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif is one of the important historical
buildings in Dubai. Built in 1955, Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif
was the summer residence of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed
Al Maktoum. Simple and cooled by the sea breezes, the building
provided its occupants with gentle climate even in the scorching
summer days without any air conditioning in place. This mild
climate in addition to the Arab traditional Falaj irrigation
system made the building the destination for many visitors every
day.
The late Sheikh Rashid built Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif in
Jumairah among date palm plantations and houses of fishermen.
He wanted the building to be summer retreat for himself, his
family, guests and friends. The building was the forum for discussing
and debating public affairs in a very important episode of Dubai’s
history.
The summer residence was named after Umm Al Sheif pearl fishing
bank, famous for its richness of the most valued natural pearls.
Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif was constructed of gypsum and coral
rocks as well as Kandal tember imported from eastern Africa
and date palm fronds. Built with two stories according to traditional
style, the building has many air inlets in the walls and is
surrounded by date palm, lemon and almond trees plantation that
covers 3,300 square meters and enjoy considerable popularity
among local and foreign tourists.
The building and its surrounding plantation is currently situated
in a modern residential area which has been carefully planned
to maintain the historic site intact. The Majlis is two-storied
14 m by 5.7 m building. Simplicity is the dominant feature of
the place. The ground floor comprises an open liwan (terrace)
and storeroom beside it there is a staircase leading to the
second story. The second floor has a wide liwan and the main
majlis (meeting) room.
Currently open to public, the place is restored by Dubai Municipality
in 1994. Foundations and walls were enhanced while rooms and
terraces were furnished with traditional furniture and items
such as traditional coffee making equipments. The surrounding
gardens were supplemented with different traditional designs
of falajs, bonds and arbors used in local date palm plantations.
The place receives the average of 200 visitors from different
nationalities every day. It is very popular among UAE national
picnic goers who have there a sense of their past. The site
was isolated place in previous days and so it was overlooking
Jumaira beach and received the mild sea breezes. Currently,
it is separated from the beach by Jumaira Road. However, the
area retains its traditional soul with some small villas built
there.
Being an old and historical building among modern villas
in Jumaira, Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif is so popular among
foreigners. Under the supervision of Dubai Commerce and Tourism
Marketing, it is open for public from 8 am till 9 pm. There,
you can find items used in by the household of the late Sheikh
Rashid.
There, visitor can see a blueprint of old and traditional
Dubai which we have lost behind the non-stop construction
boom. Natural beauty of date palms and winding falaj irrigating
channels captures the soul of its visitors who often take
their children with them.
Booklets and tourism guide will provide you with all needed
information about the late Sheikh Rashid, the place and Dubai
traditions. |
