Maitha Al Jassim Scales Al Ain Heritage Hub to Drive Community Impact

Maitha Al Jassim, an Emirati cultural advocate, has expanded her heritage preservation project in Al Ain, converting a 50-year-old family residence into a functional hub for community engagement. The initiative, branded as 'The Cultural Experience' (TCE), serves as a platform to document and share traditional Emirati customs with residents and international visitors. Heritage Preservation Through Private Infrastructure The project is centered in Al Ain, the UAE’s sole UNESCO World Heritage site, and utilizes a restored family home to host cultural programming. Al Jassim’s model moves beyond traditional museum displays by offering interactive sessions that include traditional Emirati meals, majlis etiquette lessons, and heritage tours. The venue currently accommodates groups of up to 40 people, facilitating direct dialogue between locals and tourists. By using a private estate rather than a government-operated facility, Al Jassim provides an authentic domestic context for heritage education. The programming focuses on the social functions of the majlis and the transmission of oral histories, which are central to the Emirati identity in the Eastern Region. Economic and Social…