As the holy month of Ramadan winds down close to an end, locals and tourists are now looking forward to the festival of the “breaking of the fast” also known as Eid Al-Fitr, which officially marks the end of Ramadan and the start of the first month of Shawwal.
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However, as there are still a couple of days left to practice customs and traditions observed during Ramadan, the government is also incorporating events that would align with national initiatives as well as the spirit of Islamic traditions.
احتفالاً باليوم العالمي للمتاحف وتأكيداً على مكانة #دبي التراثية والتاريخية، هيئة دبي للثقافة والفنون (دبي للثقافة) تعلن أن الدخول إلى متاحفها سيكون مجانياً يوم السبت الموافق 18 مايو 2019.https://t.co/uFfsbfwzHx pic.twitter.com/BF4Iyob8W3
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 16, 2019
Free Entry and Extended Hours at UAE Museums During Ramadan
Several museums in the UAE have announced the waiving of entry fees on Saturday, May 18, in line observance of International Museum Day, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.
According to the Dubai Media Office, museums across the emirate will be free on Saturday. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, has also announced that it will be open to visitors until 1 am on the same day.
Similarly, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation has announced that visitors will be given complimentary free access to the museum throughout the whole month of Ramadan. The initiative aims to nurture cross-cultural dialogue and to promote a better understanding of Islam.
As part of Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA), the museum will feature over 5,000 collections representing different eras from across the Islamic world.
According to Manal Ataya, Director-General of SMA, Ramadan does not only represent fasting and performing charitable deeds, it also provides an avenue to interact with other members of the society, especially those hailing from different cultures and religious beliefs.
Ataya also shared that the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation provides an opportunity for visitors to know more about Islam and the values of tolerance it imparts to its followers, as well as to better understand the Emirati way of life and the history of Arab culture.
There are actually plenty of places to visit in the UAE for those who wish to know more about its history, culture, as well as religious traditions and local customs. However, it’s not every day that we get to visit museums for free and that’s what the Sharjah Museums Authority aims to provide locals, residets, and visitors to experience, particularly during this holy month of Ramadan.
To know more about promotions, museum locations, and other helpful guides, you can check out the Sharjah Museum Authority’s website.
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