New Pearl Museum in RAK

New Pearl Museum in RAK

 

There are two main types of pearl, and the RAK Museum shows them to the public. Pearls used to have a big impact on the local culture and economy. RAK used to be the capital of the pearl industry in the past. The museum, which is one of a kind in the region, has shells all over the walls, and many pearls in different shapes, sizes and colours. The museum tour guide helps the visitors by giving them information, stories and answering there questions. On the first floor of the museum you can see the tools and gear that the divers used in the past. The second floor displays the world’s famous pearls; there are small pearls and big that can reach to 16mm. Shells are also on display. Last but not least is RAK’s 12mm “Miracle of Arabia” pearl, sitting on a red velvet throne inside the museum. Visitors can also take a ride on one of the old boats with an old pearl diver as a tour guide.

 

 

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What is this course about?

Is an academic reading and writing course; this course lasts for 1 semester, 4 periods each week. It is made to develop students English skills in reading and writing; more of it is focused on summarizing articles, which is very useful to students, because it helps them in writing and summarizing.

What have I learnt so far?

I started to learn more about summarizing and increasing my writing and summarizing skills. Till now we are still in the first weeks, but I can see that I may gain more skills by the end of the semester.

What do I expect to get from this course?

I expect to increase my skills in reading and writing, and I believe that if I put more work in this semester I can gain much new information and skills that can help me in other subjects by increasing my English level, and also in the real world.

What do I know about Hedley?

He is our teacher in this course. He is married with two daughters and four grandchildren. He is from England; he was born in the north of England in Newcastle. He has interest in sport and to be more specific he likes rugby. He has a big experience in life according to his traveling around the world.

 

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The Hajj

The Hajj

 

About 2 million Muslims go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia each year to do the Hajj, Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts six days in the last month of the Islamic year. At the center there is the Ka’aba which all pilgrams face when they pray. The pilgrims follow the footsteps of the last prophet Mohammed. The pilgrim either stay in hotels or vast tents. Before pilgrims enter Mecca they have to perform cleasing rituals, and it is designed to strip the differences of class and culture. Pilgrims perform seven times Tawaf around the Ka’aba and they walk seven times from Safa to Marwa hills. Pilgrims walk to Mina on the first day, to stay the night. Next day they travel to the plain of Arafat; at night they move to Muzdalifa to stay the night. Back at Mina pilgrims throw seven stones at each of the statues at Jamarat, then each Muslim has to slaughter a sheep. They return to Mecca and perform seven times Tawaf around the Ka’aba and walk from Safa to Marwa hills; then they return to Mina for three days of prayers. Finally they go back to Mecca to do the final Tawaf and leave.

 

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