Dubai's new architectural landmark

Comparable in size and grandeur to the Taj Mahal dome, the Persia Dome will add yet another skyline feature to the already impressive development.

Deemed as being one of the finest pieces of Islamic architecture in this century by Professor Salim Al Hassani, Chairman of the UK based Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation, FSTC, the spectacular Persia Dome is further evidence of the attention to detail given to make Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall not only a retail experience but a truly visual and entertaining experience as well.

"The arrangement of mosaics on the Persian Dome is placed in perfect symmetry, reflecting classical Islamic architecture and it looks magnificent," he adds.

One of the objectives of Professor Salim Al-Hassani's visit to Dubai has been to monitor the progress and historic authenticity of ancient Islamic Inventions that are being recreated for the mall. FSTC and MTE Studios, Dubai, are working together to incorporate reconstructions of 1000 year old inventions from Islamic Civilisation that will feature interactive displays for educational as well as entertainment purposes.

Twinned with wind towers, the domes and the exhilarating themeing of the Mall is a testament to the life and travels of the Arabic explorer Ibn Battuta. The six themed courts reflect Ibn Battuta's great journeys through the Far East, Middle East and North Africa.

In fact it has been upon reflection of the continued completion of the themeing such as that of the Persia Dome, that Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall, formerly known as Gardens Shopping Mall has finally crystallised its name as a tribute to the homecoming of a hero from the pages of history.

With increased consumer interest in the traveller and the architecture of the Mall as the anticipation of the opening comes ever closer, the management has made the strategic move of elevating Ibn Battuta, one of the Islamic world's most revered scholars to the title role.

Chairman of Nakheel, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, adds, "We are very satisfied with the progress of the mall so far. As the architecture of the mall reflects the journey of Ibn Battuta, we have named the mall after the Arab hero which will not only appeal to the regional customers who are part of our key target audience, but also generate interest among the tourists who will find the mall exotic, entertaining, educational and at the same time enable them to experience a themed, shopping experience.

Ibn Battuta was a brave and adventurous young man who left behind the comforts of home and set off on his journey to discover the world and beyond. The mall has been constructed and designed to trace the route that had the most impact on his life. Ibn Battuta crossed oceans and deserts, but after 30 years, he returned home to tell his story to the world.

This great Arabian explorer was and remains to this day, a powerful and fearless personality. By embracing his name, Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall will now more accurately represent this hero to the world.

Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall will house the UAE's largest cinema, Grand Cinema Megaplex. This twenty-one screen theatre will also include the very first IMAX cinema in the Emirates.

Other attractions to the mall will be the fully themed children's play zone, an authentic Chinese garden, a state of the art gymnasium run by the internationally recognised fitness and health care provider Fitness First and a uniquely designed food court. Indeed, every shopper to the Mall becomes an explorer simply because every visit is an adventure.