SZGMC to launch tenth 'Junior Culture Guide programme'

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) will launch the 10th edition of the ''Junior Culture Guide programme'', as part of the ''Young Builders'', a youth capacity building programme that combines the initiatives and activities the mosque had launched over the years, providing a platform for Emirati youth to shine as role models in showcasing the UAE’s noble messages and values.

The SZGMC designed this programme with the aim of investing and directing young people’s abilities during summer vacation. This gives them access to career opportunities as cultural tour guides at large, and lets them know how to organize these tours inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The Center issues a reference book to the participants, which includes a detailed explanation of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s legacy, general information about the UAE, the traditions and customs of the local community and the aesthetics of Islamic architecture in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This aims at developing the apprentice’s skills, abilities and knowledge in the history and culture of the UAE. The apprentices also hone their skills in public speaking and communicating with others, and have the opportunity to learn about different cultures.

The programme, which will be launched tomorrow and continued until 25th August, targets school students in the age group 11 to 14.

The launch of the programme, which coincides with the International Youth Day, reflects the UAE's civilised and humanitarian face and the SZGMC's efforts to instill the true Emirati values in the young generations and develop their knowledge and skills.

Amal Bamatraf, Director of the Cultural Communication Department at SZGMC, said, "The launch of the programme coincides with the International Youth Day to hone the skills of youth in the summer vacation to present a bright image of the tolerant Islamic culture as part of the SZGMC's mandate to promote the UAE's message for inter-cultural coexistence and peace.'' Jamal Al Dahmani, Director of Worshiper and Visitor Services Department at SZGMC, said the programme is based on an early and continuing learning approach to hone the skills and harness energies of young generations through a series of training workshops so to become a well-knowdged junior cultural tour guide that the Centre’s strategy aims to instill the culture of volunteering among youth, by offering young people the chance to volunteer inside and outside the Centre, which helps develop character, as well as their social skills and desire for giving.

He added that the SZGMC also works to foster the talents of young people, preparing them for the future, through the Junior Culture Guide Programme, which utilises a special curriculum, coupled with workshops and field training, that develops their ability to shoulder responsibility from an early age and become specialists in cultural tours, and ambassadors of their country.

The total number of graduates from the Junior Culture Guide programme reached 389, he said.