Emirates

Canadian artists celebrate Chanukah and UAE Golden Jubilee at Israel Pavilion

DUBAI, 6th December, 2021 (WAM) — Canadian performers Aviva Chernick, La Serena Trio, and Maryem Tollar delighted Expo 2020 Dubai crowds with a melodious blend of songs during a performance at the Israel Pavilion on Sunday, 5th December. In a beautiful exchange of cultural diplomacy, the event marked the 8th night of Chanukah (the Jewish festival of miracles), and honoured the UAE on its Golden Jubilee.

The unique ensemble, brought to the UAE from Canada to perform as a musical gift to the UAE on the occasion of its 50th National Day, performed songs in Hebrew and Ladino (by Chernick) and in Arabic (by Tollar).

Organised in collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel in the UAE, the Israel Pavilion, Canada’s National Arts Centre and the Canada Pavilion, the concert took place outside the Israel Pavilion, culminating a night of diversity in a musical celebration.

Prior to the concert, the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai hosted an inclusive celebration with guests from multiple countries and faiths to enjoy the experience of the traditional lighting of a hanukkiah (Chanukah candelabra) and to share a meal – with a decidedly Canadian flare – prepared according to traditional custom. The event was a true representation of the kind of mixing and sharing of various cultures and experiences that many Canadians enjoy as a result of Canada’s diverse cultural and ethnic composition.

Commenting on the occasion, Marcy Grossman, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE, said, "We are very fortunate in Canada to have an incredible amount of cultural and religious diversity. We see this diversity as our strength. Our tolerance and inclusion of different cultures, customs, and faiths makes us more adaptable and resilient to the changing world. Canada supports the efforts to cultivate peaceful coexistence in the Middle East and we welcomed the momentous Abraham Accords. Tonight’s event honours that spirit of tolerance, inclusion, and understanding in the UAE by celebrating both the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah and the UAE Golden Jubilee."

Emirates

UAE charity campaign launches in Russia’s Siberia

MOSCOW, 1st April, 2023 (WAM) — The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD) in Dubai, in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in the Russian Federation, has organised a charitable campaign, during which humanitarian aid was distributed to the needy and poor in the city of Omsk, the administrative centre of Omsk oblast region, Siberia, Russia.

The charity campaign saw the distribution of winter clothing and food to the needy and impoverished. Humanitarian aid was given and distributed in the region's central mosque, as well as during field visits to some families in their homes, where the people of the district expressed their gratitude and appreciation to IACAD.

The Religious Administration for Muslims of the Russian Federation expressed heartfelt gratitude to those in charge of carrying out the charitable humanitarian initiative, as well as to the UAE Embassy in the Russian Federation, for their help in making it a success.

These initiatives are part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to nations around the world, out of the country's belief in the principle of cooperation and interdependence.

Emirates

Over 300,000 houses will be built within a year, says Turkish President

ANKARA, 1st April, 2023 (WAM) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday pledged to rebuild the country's southern region that was struck by powerful earthquakes on 6th February, claiming the lives of more than 50,000 people.

"Our aim is to restore our cities in the earthquake zone by handing over 319,000 residences and village houses to owners within a year," Erdogan said at a ground-breaking ceremony in quake-hit Elazig province.

According to state-run Anadolu Agency, Erdogan said Türkiye will erase the traces of the destruction caused by the disaster, and prepare "more strongly" for possible disasters in the future.

Magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 quakes struck 11 Turkish provinces. More than 13.5 million people in Türkiye have been affected by the quakes, as well as many others in northern Syria.

Emirates

Umm AL Qaiwain Ruler receives Ramadan well-wishers

UMM AL QAIWAIN, 1st April, 2023 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, Saturday received Ramadan well-wishers at his palace in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, on the tenth day of the holy month.

Sheikh Saud received Ramadan greetings from Sheikhs, Chairmen and Heads of government departments in the country; dignitaries; and businesspersons, who congratulated him on the occasion of the Holy Month and wished him good health and further progress for the UAE and other Muslim and Arab nations.

A number of sheikhs, heads of departments and top officials attended the reception.