Hamdan bin Mohammed launches the historic Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation project

Based on the national and historical responsibility to preserve Dubai’s civilizational and cultural heritage, and in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in this regard, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced Chairman of the Executive Council, launching the rehabilitation project for the historic Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum – the first museum of its kind established in the Emirate of Dubai, following in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al. Maktoum, may God have mercy on him, for making Al Fahidi Fort a beacon of culture.

On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, said: “Al Fahidi Fort is one of the historical facilities that enjoys a special place among Dubai’s historical assets because it witnessed important stages of its development over more than 200 years. And transforming it into a model for modern cities keen to preserve their heritage and cultural heritage… and in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid regarding the preservation of heritage buildings, and the building’s Of great historical and cultural value, we launched the project to rehabilitate this edifice so that it continues its role as a center of cultural radiance and an essential component of the cultural landscape in Dubai. Our historical assets are a trust that we will not compromise in preserving and preserving as an inspiring value for future generations.”

For her part, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said: “Al Fahidi Fort stands as a witness to our rich heritage, and is a prominent historical beacon that reflects our cultural identity and authentic values, and today this historical landmark is gaining importance.” It is considered one of the most famous cultural destinations in Dubai, and this cultural monument is a prominent stop on the map of local and international cultural tourism, as it is a destination for visitors from within the country and for tourists coming from. Outside, the goal behind the renovation and restoration operations is to enhance the unique cultural experience of this historical landmark and provide it with an advanced system, in line with the future ambitions adopted by Dubai, and in an effort to raise the level of local cultural experiences in a way that reflects positively on the status of our authentic heritage and the sustainability of our ancient Emirati traditions.”

Since its inception until today, Al Fahidi Fort has witnessed remarkable development throughout its long history, and the step to rehabilitate it currently forms part of Dubai Culture’s mission to preserve and celebrate local culture and Emirati heritage, and its commitment to ensuring the protection of cultural heritage and preserving cultural and heritage assets in the best possible way. The museum will return in a wonderful new look, which will contribute to providing a rich and immersive cultural experience for its visitors, including citizens, residents and tourists, keeping the relationship between them and museums strong, and enhancing the value of exploring history and its importance in moving towards the future.

Landmark

This cultural edifice is considered a prominent landmark in the history of the Emirate of Dubai, as it is more than two centuries old. It was built in 1787, on the southern side of Dubai Creek, to be the residence of the ruler of the emirate. This fort was restored during the reign of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God have mercy on him. In 1971, the year the Federation was founded, Al Fahidi Fort was opened under the name (Dubai Museum) to be an official museum displaying the history of the emirate and important features of its authentic heritage.

The development and expansion of this historical landmark continued, and the year 1995 witnessed the opening of the second section of the museum located under the castle, which contains exhibits and collectibles that simulate life in the past before the discovery of oil, in addition to the antiquities discovered in Dubai’s archaeological sites.

As a testament to the nobility and authenticity of Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum received approximately 1.5 million visitors in 2019. Data indicate that starting from 1975 until the end of 2019, the museum attracted about 17 million visitors from various segments of society, citizens, residents, and tourists. Those who went there to learn about the inspiring stories of the past, and see the collections and content that the museum abounds with.

The Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation project comes within the second phase of the project to develop and revive the Dubai Historic District, a joint project between the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Municipality, and the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, which aims to preserve and preserve historical monuments for future generations, to enhance their belonging to their national identity. Enabling her to connect her past with her present and future.

As part of the rehabilitation project implementation plan, Al Fahidi Fort will be temporarily closed in preparation for the start of work on the museum. This step comes in view of the importance of the Dubai Museum as a witness to an ancient past that established a prosperous present in the emirate, as it is considered a platform that forms a link between members of society and their past, heritage and rich history.