Pearl Museum

Pearl Museum

There are two ancient myths about the precious pearl; they say she has two mothers. One says she is the daughter of the rain and the other claims she is the daughter of the moon.

“There is nothing more beautiful or precious than pearls” said the RAK museum operation manager; his passion with pearls is obvious when he gives a tour of the museum which was historically known as Julfar. The pearl industry collapsed in the early 1930s when the Japanese created an artificial pearl; regardless of its fate, the influence of pearls lived among Emirati women.

They waste nothing of the oyster; they make designs with the shells, its interior edible and what’s left they use it as fertilizer.

On the first floor of the museum is historical gear worn by divers and how they were cautious. Despite this precaution, some people suffered later on from blindness and deafness; it was very hard work.

The museum’s second floor is lined with displays of the world’s famous pearls , and how to distinguish natural and cultured pearls; as well Buddha oyster 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.

First reflective statement

What is this course about?

This is an English course; it’s about academic reading, writing and summarizing; how to develop our academic business skills

What I have learnt so far?

I have learnt how to summarize an article and extract the main points like what we did last week with Alhajj article. Moreover, I learnt how to use bloggers and post a discussion online; communicate with my colleagues .

What do I expect to get from this course?

I am expecting to develop my reading, writing and summarizing skills and improve my punctuation; expand my vocabulary.

What do I know about Hedley?

Mr. Hedley Butterfield is an English teacher in the Higher College of Technology; he has worked in various places and been through lots of experiences. He is married with 2 daughters .furthermore, Mr Hedley went for a trip to the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, HongKong, and many other countries; he likes being in the wild and nature. He told us some stories about his adventures and how to save yourself if you were ever chased by a crocodile. 

The hajj

The Ka’aba is special to Muslims because it’s a holy place and they face it when they pray. It’s located in Mecca and was constructed by Abraham and his son Ishmail.

The pilgrims follow the footsteps of the prophet Muhammad, Hajj is the biggest annual mass movement in the world; it’s organized by the Saudi authorities. All pilgrims must be vaccinated to avoid any contagious diseases in the hajj. In 1990 about 1400 pilgrims were killed during stampede in an overcrowded tunnel

Before entering Mecca , pilgrims perform cleansing rituals; men shave their heads cut their nails ,and wear two pieces of white robe; women as well have rituals; they wear long white robes and uncover their face. After that pilgrims perform their first Tawaf which is seven times around the Ka’aba; they also perform Sa’I which is going seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwa .

On the first day of hajj, pilgrims travel three miles to Mina; the next morning they travel to Arafat where the prophet did his last sermon; that evening they travel to Muzdalifah where they camp for the night; in the morning they go back to Mina to throw seven pebbles at each of three places; after that they return to Mecca to perform Tawaf around the Ka’aba and again between the hills of Safa and Marwah; after that they go back to  Mina for three days; finally they go to Mecca for the farewell Tawaf.

240 words