ABU DHABI, 22nd August, 2026 (WAM) -- As part of its ongoing efforts to enrich the cultural landscape of the UAE and further its mission to preserve and promote Islamic heritage, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) has launched the new season of its cultural series, "Deirat Al-Duroor."
Featuring a fresh approach and innovative style that leverages modern tools to showcase an authentic aspect of Emirati cultural heritage, the initiative aligns with the Centre’s efforts to preserve and revive national heritage and raise awareness among generations. It also falls within the framework of the "Emirati Hijri Calendar" project, which the Centre has been publishing annually since the year 1439 AH.
The initiative revives the ancient Emirati astronomical and environmental system and explains traditional divisions of the year (Duroor) linked with star risings like Suhail.
The series takes its audience on an educational journey into the knowledge and experiences of previous generations concerning the measurement of time, observation of the stars, changes in seasons, and natural phenomena. It also explores the traditional Duroor, an ancient astronomical system based on dividing the days of the year in decimals into 36 sections. Each section includes 10 days known as "Dur" and is linked with the rise of the Suhail star.
The series highlights the knowledge and practices associated with this system that have been passed down through Emirati society, and their connection to people’s lives on land and at sea, as well as to agriculture, travel, and fishing. This reflects the precision with which earlier generations observed their environment and used its natural indicators to organize various aspects of their daily lives.
The series supports the transmission of this knowledge from one generation to the next in line with the objectives of the “Year of the Family”, presenting topics related to Duroor and Tawale’ in an accessible and engaging way. It also encourages families to share and discuss this knowledge as part of the UAE’s cultural memory and its inherited understanding of the environment and seasonal cycles.
The SZGMC published a children’s storybook titled “Deirat Al-Droor wa Al-Tawale’ on Grandpa Saeed’s Urqūb’( Ridge)”. The book introduces children to traditional Emirati knowledge of astronomy and seasonal cycles in a form accessible to young readers. The initiative reflects SZGMC’s commitment to social responsibility and cultural education among younger generations.