Tourism International
The Manama Museum is a valuable addition to the tourism landscape in Ajman and a window into the region’s history and rich heritage.
- Officials and history researchers have confirmed that the opening of the Manama Museum in the Emirate of Ajman represents a qualitative addition to the tourism and cultural sector in the Emirate, and an important step in preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the region, and highlighting its historical milestones and the natural and heritage features that reflect the authenticity of Emirati society and the depth of its connection to its history.
- They pointed out that the museum, which was opened last night by His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, embodies the attention that the leadership in the emirate pays to protecting, developing and transforming historical sites into integrated cultural and tourist destinations, which enhances the presence of Manama on the tourism map in Ajman and allows new generations and visitors to learn about its history and the uniqueness of its social and natural environment.
- His Excellency Mahmoud Al Hashemi, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Media, said that the opening of the Manama Museum is an important addition to the tourist attractions in the emirate, especially since the region needed more destinations that highlight its historical and heritage features, stressing that the development, restoration and reopening of the historical fort as an integrated museum reflects the keenness to preserve the architectural and historical heritage of Ajman.
- He explained that the museum is the fourth museum in the emirate, alongside the Ajman, Masfout and Rashid Al Khader museums, and offers an integrated knowledge experience that reviews the history of the Al Manama area, its origins and development, and documents aspects of the life of the ruling family, including the lifestyle and rooms they used, in addition to the role of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the former ruler of Ajman, in following up on the affairs of the region, communicating with its people, and listening to their needs and suggestions during his councils and continuous meetings.
- He added that the museum’s sections vary between displaying agricultural products for which Manama is famous, documenting popular games, and depicting aspects of daily life for children and the elderly, reflecting the nature of the local community and its traditions. He pointed out that the museum also constitutes an educational platform for students and researchers, and an informative window for tourists and visitors to learn about aspects of life in the region in the past.
- Al Hashemi called on members of the community and visitors to visit the museum when it begins receiving visitors at the beginning of next November, stressing the keenness of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Media in Ajman to listen to comments and suggestions that would develop the visitor experience and enhance the tourism and cultural value of the museum.
- For his part, Ali Al Matroushi, Advisor for Heritage and Local History at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Media in Ajman, affirmed that the Manama Museum represents a valuable addition to the system of tourist and historical landmarks in the emirate, and embodies the attention given by His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, and His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, through revitalizing the tourism sector and utilizing historical sites to provide integrated cultural experiences.
- He pointed out that converting the historic fort into a museum allows for the documentation of an important stage in the history of Manama, which in the 1950s hosted a camp for the Trucial Oman Scouts, where the site witnessed the training of large numbers of recruits, some of whom later joined the armed forces and assumed various roles in its history.
- He explained that the museum includes sections that document the history of the Coast Guard of Oman, in addition to a room dedicated to the late Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and his residence in the fort, as well as exhibits of old coins and weapons and models of traditional architecture that reflect the nature of life in the past.
- Al Matroushi pointed out that Manama’s diversity, which combines the agricultural environment with military and historical sites, gives it a unique tourist appeal and enhances opportunities to provide visitors with experiences that combine historical knowledge with the discovery of local heritage and the surrounding nature.
- For his part, Dr. Saif bin Aboud Al Badawi, a researcher and writer on the history of the modern and contemporary Arabian Gulf, praised the Ajman government’s interest in preserving the region’s history and heritage, stressing that the museum represents an important step in preserving the historical memory of Manama and presenting it to future generations.
- He explained that Manama gained historical importance since the beginning of the twentieth century thanks to the availability of fresh water and the interest of the rulers of Ajman in it, noting that the late Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi used to spend long periods on his farm in the area and follow up on its affairs, which reflects its status in the history of the emirate, recalling the fifties, specifically the year 1957, when Manama was chosen as a site to establish a shooting camp belonging to the Trucial Oman Scouts.
- He added that Manama is characterized by a rich environmental diversity that includes wildlife and multiple types of wild animals, in addition to bees and the production of mountain honey, as well as the diversity of local palm trees, reflecting the richness of its natural environment and the multiplicity of its heritage elements.
- Al-Badawi stressed that the Manama Museum combines history, culture and the environment in one destination, and allows visitors to learn about important milestones from the region’s past and its authentic heritage, calling for a visit to discover what it contains of evidence and exhibits that document and preserve the history of Manama for future generations.
- The opening of the Manama Museum comes as part of efforts to promote cultural and heritage tourism in Ajman, and to highlight the historical and environmental features of the various regions of the emirate, which contributes to diversifying tourist experiences, consolidating national identity, and enhancing awareness of the history of Emirati society and its transformations over time.
