ABU DHABI, 27th November, 2024 (WAM) -- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) organised the honouring ceremony of 219 male and female graduates of the Ibn Al Dar and Junior Cultural Guide training programmes, both part of the Al Shabab Al Banie (Youth Builder) programme.
The programme encompasses initiatives and activities launched by the Centre over the years, focusing on nurturing Emirati youth and promoting UAE culture. It took place on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Dome of Peace in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Youssef Al Obaidli, Director General of SZGMC, expressed his pride in the programme’s achievements, stating:
“Today, we are all proud of the outcomes of the Al Shabab Al Banie programme, which reflects the Centre’s commitment to launching and adopting initiatives, projects, and programmes that develop Emirati human resources across all age groups. The Centre continuously strives to attract elite cultural tour specialists and empower them through various programmes and initiatives to present a civilized image of their country.”
He added, “In alignment with its vision for the future and its role as a religious, cultural, and national landmark, the Centre is dedicated to training cultural tour specialists and equipping them with skills to meet the growing demand of mosque visitors. Through its cultural programmes and initiatives, which are continually evolving, the Centre supports its mission of fostering cultural dialogue. The cultural tour specialists, who speak several languages in addition to Arabic—including English, Mandarin, Russian, Hebrew, and sign language—further advance the mosque’s global message and expand its outreach.”
The Ibn Al Dar programme, one of the Centre’s annual highlights, saw the graduation of 39 male and female participants this year. Over its four stages, the programme equips participants with essential skills through workshops, training activities, self-learning techniques, and practical application. Trainees’ performance is assessed through scientific research, theoretical exams, and practical evaluations. The programme prepares university students and Emirati graduates to conduct cultural tours, showcasing the UAE's timeless cultural heritage and the values of its founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The initiative reflects the UAE's commitment to tolerance and coexistence, presenting a bright cultural image of the nation, promoting moderation and openness, and highlighting the mosque as a global cultural tourism landmark and a model of Islamic architectural heritage. Graduates of the programme are offered opportunities for part-time work at the mosque, enabling them to provide cultural tours and serve visitors from diverse backgrounds with professionalism and efficiency, adhering to international standards.
The event also celebrated 180 male and female graduates from the Junior Cultural Guide programme, which targets students aged 11 to 17. The programme aims to develop their potential and talents, familiarize them with the profession of cultural tour specialists, equip them with necessary skills, and instill an awareness of their role as ambassadors of their nation. It supports families and society in fostering ethical education among the younger generation. The programme provides a foundation for participants to explore cultural tour specialization, embracing concepts of coexistence and respect for others. Built on an integrated educational framework, it features training elements and diverse workshops designed to ignite passion for cultural tours at an early age. It also encourages participants to progress through the Future Guide programme and eventually to the Ibn Al Dar programme.
On the occasion, Mahra Al Dhaheri, Acting Head of the Cultural Tours Section, commented: "Today, we are proud to graduate a new group of Emirati youth, and we look forward to seeing them contribute to the comprehensive development journey of our nation. We hope they will harness their potential and capabilities to serve and elevate their country. It is a source of pride for us that the training programmes are conducted by a select group of experienced and skilled cultural tour specialists at the Centre."
Graduate Aisha Al Roushdi, from the Ibn Al Dar programme, shared her experience:“The Ibn Al Dar programme was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. It equipped me with essential skills and allowed me to discover and utilize my capabilities in service to my country and the mosque’s mission, presenting the bright image of Islamic culture and the UAE’s authentic heritage of values and human principles.”
Saeed Essam Al Ruzaiqi, a graduate of the Junior Cultural Guide programme, expressed his enthusiasm, saying:
“I learned about the Grand Mosque and its representation of human and civilizational values. I gained presentation skills, and this programme made me feel proud to be a son of the UAE, founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
Ibtisam Hussein, the mother of Hamdan and Maryam Al Shamsi, invited a graduate from the Junior Cultural Guide programme and encouraged parents to enroll their children in the Centre’s programmes, stating: “The benefits my daughter gained from this distinguished programme are immense. It enhanced her personality, equipped her with public speaking skills, and introduced her to the fundamentals of cultural tours.”
Since their inception, SZGMC’s training programmes have graduated 215 participants from the Ibn Al Dar programme and 498 from the Junior Cultural Guide programme. These programmes embody one of the Centre’s core values: “Work with the spirit of patriotism rooted in the UAE’s authentic heritage.” The training and qualification of participants are carried out by competent Emirati cultural tour specialists at the Centre. Notably, the Emiratisation of the cultural tour specialist profession at SZGMC has reached 100%.