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Mohammed AbdulKarim Julfar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Financial and Properties Affairs, said as much as 80% of the Dhs16 million centre is now occupied and a few facilities are still being finalized including a large cafeteria.
The municipality-run facility, which is expected to act as a centre for specialized trade and tourism in the UAE and the Middle East, is an ideal place for all activities related to falconry.
The centre has a falcon souq for falcon traders and breeders that comprise 20 shops of 7 x 11 metres for selling falcons.
Built in the traditional architectural pattern, the shops surrounding an area are covered by a huge tent. The souq also has a model of a traditional well and is distinctively attractive due to the provision of different characteristics of a traditional market.
The centre also comprises of a small mosque, which is a replica of the old Masjid Bin Suroor in the Shindagha area, a cafeteria, gift shops, in addition to an area outside the souq for training in falconry. The entire area, including the courtyard, which is covered by a tent and the public area are centrally air-conditioned.
The centre also includes an exhibition and a museum featuring the history of falcons in three halls and another hall for light and sound show and 3D shows.
The first hall is being used to showcase falconry and its history as it was the sport practiced by kings in the Arabian Gulf. The second hall is dedicated for the life of falcons, its breeding and variety of falcons used for hunting. The 3D film hall focuses on the modern and traditional methods of falcon hunting in the UAE, its heritage, and training. The fourth hall provides information about falcon-breeding, attending to the health of falcons and bringing them up in cages.
The National Falcon Centre, spread over an area of 27,500 square metres in Al Markadh area, is located on Muscat Road near the Camel Race track and Camel Souq.
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