INTRODUCTION

MODERN-DAY MAJLIS

CONTEMPORARY MAJLIS

THE
TRADITIONAL MAJLIS

Prior to 1960

The majalis (pl.) of this period often display a humble seating arrangement with traditional taqia cushions on the floor and placed along the back of the wall.

Scroll down for examples of traditional majalis.

Photo credit: Zlatan Filipovic

Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn), Sharjah (1823)

Fortress | Official Majlis

The Sharjah Fort was built in 1823 as the residence of the Al Qawasim tribe, the emirate’s ruling family. The fort served also as the seat of the government at the time and shows characteristic defense architecture typology elements. Built from regional material, the fort encloses a large yard, to which various rooms open to. Throughout the Al Hisn various majalis can be found, from an official guest majlis, to a private majlis to an outdoor majlis setting. The majlis towards the entrance of the fort in the inner courtyard features the typical on the floor places cushions set against the backdrop of the wall.

3D-scan of outside Majlis. Photo credit: Zlatan Filipovic

References:

https://www.heartofsharjah.ae/sharjah-al-hisn-museum.html

http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae

https://www.visitsharjah.com/en/activities/family/sharjah-al-hisn-museum/

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Beit Al Oqaili, Dubai (1923)

Courtyard House | Residential Majlis

The house of the renowned poet Mubarak bin Hamad bin Mubarak Al Manea Al Oqaili (1875-1954) was built in 1923 in the vibrant trading hub along the Dubai Creek. Original from Saudi Arabia, Al Oqaili is considered as one of the prominent poets writing Nabati poetry. The house is built over two floors over a relatively small footprint and was built using regional specific constructions methods typical in the eastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula. The house, in which the poet did not live in, served as a majlis, welcoming guests. The main majlis is situated on the 1st floor of the house and shows a seating setting with white cushions on the floor. Characteristic for residential majlis at the time in urban settings is also the role of the wall niches for display of important items representing the house owner.

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

References:

https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/attractions/museums/al-oqaili-museum

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/al-oqaili-the-nabati-poet-dubai-culture-arts-authority/qgUR0rhKyUn8JA?hl=en

Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif, Dubai (1955)

Summer Residence | Seasonal Majlis

Photo credit: Felix Hardmood Beck

Situated in a palm tree garden in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Dubai, stands the historically important Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif. Ghorfat in Arabic means room, the “room in the neighbourhood Umm Al Sheif” was the summer majlis of Dubai’s former ruler, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum. Built in 1955, the majlis served as a gathering and thinking space to Sheikh Rashid. Elevated from the ground to capture the light coastal breeze, the majlis was set in traditional taqia cushions along the wall and complemented with modern amenities such as a radio and clock. Traditional artefacts, khoos (from palm leaves) to cover dates offerings to the guests along with Arabic coffee, could typically be found in the majlis at the time.

Photo credit: Felix Hardmood Beck

References:

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/majlis-ghorfat-umm-al-sheif-dubai-culture-arts-authority/2AUBLN9TViPZLA?hl=en

https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/attractions/heritage-sites/majlis-ghorfat-umm-al-sheif

Photo credit: Zlatan Filipovic

Fardan Majlis, Dubai (2003)

Residential Majlis

The Fardan majlis in Dubai’s Umm Suqeim neighborhood was in built 2003 by Mustafa Al Fardan. Constructed as a separate structure to the family residence, the majlis could be directly accessed from the outside. The Fardan majlis celebrates the rich family tradition as pearl merchants in the Arabian Gulf. Family heirlooms and important documents and artefacts can be found in the majlis and welcome visitors. The majlis showcases in its various wall displays the family history and importance of pearl diving in the UAE and Gaffal epic. Paying homage to the traditional majlis setting with its taqia seatings and sadu patterns, traditional areesh (palm leaves) ceiling and plaster wall treatments, the Fardan majlis highlights the human centered scale of a traditional majlis.

Photo credit: Zlatan Filipovic

References:

Personal interview with Mr. Mustafa Al Fardan.

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MODERN MAJLIS

CONTEMPORARY MAJLIS

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