SERVICES AT AWARE   LOCAL TOURS The AWARE Center arranges tours of local places of interest for Western visitors in Kuwait. In our desert camps, you can experience Kuwaiti hospitality in traditional tents while enjoying a cup of Arabic coffee in the open air; afterwards, ride a camel for a truly nomadic experience. Join your friends for a boat ride around Kuwait Bay for a unique view of the city. At the Tareq Rajab Museum, see a breathtaking collection of Arab and Islamic jewelry, clothing, manuscripts and currency. For a more spiritual experiences, join a tour of the Grand Mosque, which can accomodate up to 50,000 worshippers. Don't miss a tour of the Arab Organizations Headquarters Building, which is both an outstanding example of the culral and artistic heritage of the Arab and Islamic world. Join these tours in the company of seasoned expats and local citizens in Kuwait for an unforgettable cultural experience.   CULTURAL ITEMS Part of the fun of visiting a foreign country is trying traditional customs, clothing and food. The AWARE Center personal provide information and demonstrations about the traditional cultural items on display throughout the Center such as the date-palm handicrafts, sadu textiles, fishing traps and old photographs. Ask for a demonstration fo how frankincense is burned, or how Arabic coffee is prepared and served. Get tips on etiquette in Kuwait and how to greet Arabs in the traditional way. Visitors ara also invited to try on a variety of traditional Kuwaiti clothes, such as the dishdasha, bist and ghutra for men, or the dara'a, abaya, thobe and milfa for women. AWARE personnel will help you achieve the perfect look before taking your picture, which can be sent via email to your desktop. Before you leave, relax in the bistro with a cup of sweetened tea, compliments of AWARE.     ARABIC COURSES The AWARE Center offers a variety of Arabic classes for Westerners in Kuwait. Prefessional Kuwaiti instructors teach everyday converstion, reading writing and pronunciation. Arabic is the only phonetic language in the world, so reading can be learned very quickly. Classroom instruction is supported with a cassette tape and exercise book as well as the opportunity to interact with Arabs at AWARE. Other subjects taught at the AWARE Center include Middle Eastern Cooking, Introdcution to Islam, Islamic Art and Kuwaiti Converstaion. For those wanting more intensive or individualized instruction, the AWARE Center can arrange tutors or small group session for Arabic language, Islamic faith and practice, and other related subjects upon request. Read More  SOCIAL EVENTS Social events, celebrations and cultural activities are arranged by the AWARE Center so that Western visitors to Kuwait can become acquainted with Kuwaitis, Arab and other Westernes. In the traditional "Diwaniya" groups enjoy lively converstions about many topics over coffee and tea. During Eid celebrations, guests enjoy the festivities according to local customs which include henna designs, folk music, and traditional food. AWARE hosts monthly lectures and films about local and regional history, art, wildlife and culture, whic are followed by discussion and refreshments. Thoughout the year, AWARE arranges travel exhibitions, food fairs and cultural bazaars, which bring ambassadors, good cooks, textile vendors, artists, teachers businessmen and many others under one roof for exciting multicultural experiences.        CULTURAL INFORMATION Information about Kuwait, Gulf, Arab and Islamic culture is available at the AWARE Center to aid Westerners in research, recreation and international understanding. The multimedia library has information on many cultural topics including regional travel, biographies, history, cooking, art, architecture and Islam, in addition to translations of the Quran in many European languages. Listening and viewing equipment is availanle onsite for audio cassettes, CDs, DVDs and video tapes from the library. The monthly cultural magazine TOGETHER gives practical adivice for expat living in Kuwait, as well as insight into the social customs, religious beliefs, language and history of the region. The AWARE Center also publishes free leaflets that answer Westerners' frequently asked questions. Arab contributions to civilization in Math & Science Arabic words in the English Language. Eid in Kuwait.                  What is Ramadan? Who is Mohammad? Islam at a Glance