DUBAI, 26 July 2004 — The Middle East’s first dedicated center for falcon trading has opened in Dubai, the country’s official news agency said.
Built by Dubai Municipality at a cost of 16 million dirhams, the National Falcon Center in Nad Al-Sheba, is expected to boost the art of falconry as a national pastime and provide a heritage landmark for Dubai, the report said.
“The center will be an ideal focus for all activities related to falconry, including hunting,” said Mattar Al-Tayer, assistant director general at the municipality.
The center covers more than 27,000 sq. m. and includes a permanent exhibition and a museum featuring the history of falconry. There are three halls for associated activities and educational purposes.
The first showcases the history of the sport of falconry practiced by royalty in the Arabian Gulf. The second hall is dedicated to the life of falcons, as well as breeding programs and a variety of falcons used for hunting.
The 3D film hall focuses on the modern and traditional methods of falcon hunting in the UAE, its heritage and training. The fourth hall provides information about falcon breeding, maintaining the health of falcons and raising them in captivity.
Al-Tayer said the center has a falcon souq for traders and breeders that consists of 20 shops. It also features a model of a traditional well and is decorated to look like a traditional market.
The souq also comprises a small mosque — a replica of the old Masjid Bin Surour in the Shindagha area — as well as a cafe, gift shops and an area outside the souq for falconry training. The center will also have a full time vet on hand.
Al-Tayer said traditional architectural patterns have been taken into consideration in all aspects of the structure, which took seven months to complete. There are three barjeels (wind towers) with a height of 27 meters each. The shops have already been rented out.
