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CNN World Report

Program Aims to Bridge Cultural Gaps in the Middle East

Aired June 24, 2001 - 14:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: In the Persian Gulf, Dubai has launched a project to bring together the diverse people of the United Arab Emirates. The program highlights unique aspects of the country's culture to foster better understanding.

Dubai television explains how the Persian Gulf state has positioned itself as cultural learning center.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIM KELAITA, DUBAI TV REPORTER (voice-over): For the past six years, the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding has literally tried to open the doors and minds of people all over the United Arab Emirates. Their program "Open Doors, Open Minds" has met with thousands of people with one goal: To enhance cultural harmony among the people of the UAE.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's about bringing people together here in Dubai and the Emirates. We have a very special, unique situation where hundreds of thousands of experts shared their life with us.

KELAITA: Abdullah al-Sikhal (ph) says the program is the only one of its kind. The center manages many programs, activities and events, including Arabic language courses, cultural courses and the ever popular mosque tours. Visitors are given the unique opportunity to visit on of Dubai's most famous landmarks, the Jumeira Mosque. There, they get a chance to ask questions and learn about the role religion plays in the culture of the UAE.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the program is fantastic. The opportunity in what often is a closed society to be able to share the culture and to share the experiences, learn the language, meet the people; it's absolutely invaluable, especially to expats who sometimes are here for a limited amount of time and don't get an opportunity to experience that kind of opportunity.

KELAITA: One of most popular parts of program is the home visits. There, visitors get a chance to go to the home of a UAE local to experience Arabian hospitality first-hand. This is a rare chance for families and visitors to understand more about the culture here in the Emirates. Since the Sheikh Mohammed Center began these home visits, thousands from all over the world have taken part, with the main desire to get to know more about the Emirates and its people. Al-Sikhal says the main goal of the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding is to bridge the gap between the Emirates and the many expats who call Dubai home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will have to communicate. We have to understand each other. We have to build better awareness and understanding in the world today.

KELAITA: Kim Kelaita, Dubai TV for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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