Nearly 40 UAE Teens Train as Cultural Guides at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Nearly 40 Emirati teenagers are being trained to lead cultural tours at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, as part of a youth programme designed to develop the next generation of cultural ambassadors.

The current group represents the second batch of participants this summer under the Little Cultural Guide programme, which has created a pathway for young Emiratis to eventually join the mosque's official cultural tours team.

Young Emiratis Gain Cultural Guide Experience

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre began the second phase of the 14th cycle of its Little Cultural Guide programme on August 10. The current batch comprises teenagers aged 15 to 17 and will continue training until August 20.

An earlier phase, held from July 27 to August 6, involved 48 younger participants aged between 11 and 14.

Since the programme was launched, 628 young Emiratis have graduated from the initiative.

The programme also provides a pathway for its strongest participants. Top graduates can progress to two advanced stages, Guide of the Future and Ibn Al Dar, which give them priority when the mosque recruits members for its official cultural tours team.

The centre's current cultural tour specialists, who are responsible for training the participants, are all Emirati, giving the role a 100 per cent Emiratisation rate.

Training Focuses on Culture and Communication

The programme combines practical communication skills with lessons on UAE heritage and cultural understanding.

Participants receive training in presentation and public speaking, national identity and intercultural dialogue. They also take part in the Zayed's Legacy workshop, which explores the values and principles associated with the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The intercultural dialogue component is designed to prepare participants to communicate with visitors from different backgrounds while explaining the mosque's architecture, Islamic art and cultural significance.

Building the Next Generation of Cultural Ambassadors

For the teenagers taking part, the programme offers more than a summer activity.

Hamed Al Naqbi said the experience helped strengthen his confidence and improve his ability to speak, present and communicate with others.

Hassan Al Zaabi said the training had changed how he viewed his responsibilities as a young Emirati, particularly his role in representing the UAE and contributing to its international image.

Other participants highlighted the cultural knowledge gained during the programme.

Shaikha Al Ameri described the training as a valuable addition to her summer break, while Mariam Al Bahri said learning about the mosque's architecture, Islamic art and civilisation helped strengthen her communication skills and openness towards different cultures.

Connecting Youth with National Heritage

Meera Al Jasmi and Khalifa Basaeed also spoke about the importance of understanding the responsibilities passed down through generations.

Al Jasmi described preserving the values of previous generations as a responsibility, while Basaeed said the programme helped him recognise the importance of continuing the work begun by earlier generations and living up to the trust placed in young Emiratis.

The initiative operates under Shabab Al Bani, a wider Emirati youth programme. This year's edition is also connected to the UAE's Year of Family, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre positioning the programme as an opportunity for families to contribute to young people's character development during the summer.

Through its combination of heritage education, communication training and practical cultural-tour experience, the programme is helping young Emiratis develop the skills needed to represent the UAE and introduce visitors to the country's history, culture and values.