The Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili was once home to one of the most important Arabic classical poets in the history of the UAE. The building holds a collection of the poet’s original works and the items he used for his literary works. Close to the Spice Souk in Dubai, the poet’s home holds rich literary importance for art and literature lovers.
Here is all you need to know about the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili:
- Overview
- History
- Infrastructure
- Exhibits
- Nearby Attractions
- Surrounding Communities
- Location, Timings, and Contact
- FAQs
Overview of the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili
The Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili is close to the infamous Spice Souk in Dubai, making it a popular spot. It is named after the museum’s previous resident, the famous classical Saudi poet Mubarak bin Hamad bin Mubarak Al Manea Al Oqaili.
The museum presents a spectacular display of architectural design and heritage. It also displays the exhibit items that belonged to Al Oqaili, such as his quill or original manuscripts.
History
About the Poet Al Oqaili
Mubarak bin Hamad bin Mubarak Al Manea Al Oqaili originally belonged to central Saudi Arabia. He composed eloquent and Nabatean poems, the most classical and popular poems of his time.
History of the Museum
The Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili was built in 1923. Before that, it was Al Oqaili’s home from 1875 to 1954. After getting banished from his homeland, he inhabited this place, now a popular museum.
Infrastructure
The two-story building covers 187 square metres of land. A courtyard surrounds the old residence, which was built with local materials like coral, stone, sarooj, sandalwood, and palm tree trunks. The building contains carved teak doors, beamed ceilings, and majlis areas.
The poet’s house is divided into nine sections, preserving his lifestyle and manuscripts, among other items that belonged to Al Oqaili. The names of these sections represent the historical items they display:
- His Life
- Cultural and Social Life Aspects
- His Nabatean Poetry
- His Correspondence
- Original Manuscripts
- His Eloquent Poetry
- Majlis
- His House Restoration
- His Writings
Exhibits
The exhibits portray his lifestyle and writing styles. These artefacts are important as they highlight the literature of the 20th century. These include:
- A collection of documents
- A collection of his correspondence and commandments
- Manuscripts
- Nabatean and eloquent poetry
- Writing tools such as pens
- Furniture
- Home goods
- Household items
- Gun
- Original wills
Nearby Attractions
Other than the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili, you can also drive to these nearby attractions to explore the rich history or find other sources of entertainment:
- Dubai Gold Souk (4 minutes)
- Bait Al Banat Women’s Museum (5 minutes)
- Deira Perfume Souk (10 minutes)
- Naif Museum (11 minutes)
- Al Shindagha Museum (15 minutes)
- Dubai Museum (17 minutes)
Surrounding Communities
For the residents and visitors of the communities listed below, visiting the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili by car is convenient and quick.
- Al Murar (11 minutes)
- Naif (13 minutes)
- Al Fahidi (13 minutes)
- Al Karama (15 minutes)
- Riggat Al Buteen (14 minutes)
- Al Hamriya (20 minutes)
Location, Timings and Contact
You can find further information related to the museum below:
Location
The museum is located at the following address:
Sikka 26A, Deira, Al Ras, Dubai, UAE
Timings
You can explore the museum in the following operational hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 09:00 am to 02:00 pm
- Friday: 09:00 am to 12:00 pm
The Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili remains closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact
You can contact the museum at this number: +971-8-003-3222.
FAQs
Bait Al Banat Women’s Museum, Al Shindagha Museum, and Dubai Museu are some of the popular museums close to the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili.
You can visit the museum in these hours:
-Monday to Thursday: 09:00 am to 02:00 pm
-Friday: 09:00 am to 12:00 pm
Many of the popular Dubai souks are close to the museum. These include:
-Spice Souk Dubai
-Souq Naif
–Dubai Gold Souk
-Deira Perfume Souk
You can visit these three historical sites that are close to the museum:
-Al Shindagha Historical District
–Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
-Dubai Old City
You can call on this number for more information: +971-8-003-3222.
The Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili holds both historical and literary significance. It boasts the essence of Nabatean and eloquent poetry, along with the tools, manuscripts, and documents that once belonged to the famous poet.
You can also visit the most searched museums in Dubai to delve deeper into the history and enrich your experience.
