An oasis amid Bur Dubai’s sprawling office towers, the Ismaili Centre and its verdant gardens, Dubai Park, offer welcoming respite from the busy city streets.
Something of a hidden gem in the heart of Dubai, the peaceful gardens are maintained as a gift to the city’s residents. This is one of six centres around the world – each as architecturally stunning as the last.
A great option if you’re visiting the city, it’s regularly open for cultural events and architectural tours. Open Skies spoke to the president of the Ismaili Council UAE, Amiruddin Thanawalla, to discover more.
The centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence and core values of Ismaili communities around the world. Architecturally unique, they are bridges of friendship and understanding, and serve to enhance relationships among communities, government and civil society.
The main purpose of the centre is to encourage mutual exchange and understanding between diverse peoples, communities and faiths. Each building incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, intellectual engagement and reflection, as well as spiritual contemplation.
Source: 25 May 2016 – Sandra Tinari, Open Skies, emirates.com – PDF Page 43
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