Juma al-Majid Cultural & Heritage Centre
behind Dubai Cinema
Tel: +971 (0) 4 262-4999

Established in 1991, this is a non-profit reference library and research institute. The library's collections include 350,000 Arab language titles, with a concentration on Arab and Islamic heritage, plus 17,000 titles in English, French, German, Russian and other languages. There is a separate national heritage collection in different languages, with books and materials relating only to the Arabian Gulf.

Seize a moment of intellectual stimulation at this little-known library and research centre near the cinema. Inside, as well as a treasure trove of black-and-white photographs of Dubai at the turn of the last century, you’ll find thousands of books on Islamic history and current affairs and 3,000 periodicals and rare books, many with exquisite calligraphy. Quite a few are in English.

Visitors are free to read any book in the reading room, though none can be taken home.