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Emirates

Expo City Dubai’s ‘Hai Ramadan’ to celebrate holy month with 50-plus days of festivities

DUBAI, 15th February, 2023 (WAM) — Expo City Dubai’s “Hai Ramadan”, running from 3rd March to 25th April 2023, is set to be a true celebration of the holy month with an enchanting atmosphere, delicious food and exciting activities.

Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director – Expo City Dubai, said, “Just as Expo 2020 Dubai brought the world together once before, Expo City Dubai’s ‘Hai Ramadan’ will bring together different communities from all over during the holy month. We are excited that our visitors will be able to rejoice in some of the world’s most famous and well-known Ramadan traditions in a single destination.”

The festivities – an experiential interpretation of hai, an Arabic word with a dual meaning of “neighbourhood” and “welcome” – will run for more than 50 days, beginning on 3rd March, the weekend prior to the UAE’s traditional celebration of Haq Al Laila, in preparation for the start of Ramadan two weeks later.

Hai Ramadan will take visitors on a cultural journey where they can share unique experiences from across the Islamic world. From regional cuisine to international gastronomy and enticing street food, visitors will also have the chance to indulge in an array of food and beverages, reflecting the joy of breaking fast and sharing a meal with a loved one during the holy month.

Worshippers will be able to access a dedicated mosque on site for all prayers, including Isha and the later Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers. After the Taraweeh prayer, storytellers will evoke the ancient Arab art of Hakawati – narrating folktales and stories of adventure, culture, religion and morality. Additionally, Expo City Dubai’s very own Misaharati – classic Ramadan figures who would wake up their communities with drumming and singing, traditionally before dawn, to drink water and partake in Suhoor – will celebrate the experience of this age-old tradition throughout the day.

Al Wasl Plaza will offer a family-friendly theatrical show by Expo 2020 Dubai's official mascots, Rashid and Latifa, and children of all ages are welcome to join workshops and games to learn about elements of Emirati culture and the values of Ramadan, such as kindness, generosity and compassion. To promote a healthy lifestyle, Expo City Dubai will host sports tournaments for adults with a dedicated zone that will feature games, fitness and wellness activations for people of all activity levels. A full schedule of events will be published nearer the time.

An ideal destination for gatherings of family and friends, entry to Hai Ramadan, including the Al Wasl show and sports activities, is free, with charges for some workshops and games. A bustling night market will see home-grown vendors offer perfumes, gifts, and tailor-made clothing, and a corporate Iftar option will be on offer.

Hai Ramadan will take place from 16:00 to 10:00 in the run-up to Ramadan, and from 17:00 to 02:00 during Ramadan.

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Emirates

“Matwa’a Al-Freij” is a new community initiative from IACAD

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai has
announced the launch of its new community initiative, “Matwa’a Al-Freij”
aimed at meeting the needs of new generations by providing Quran
memorization and knowledge sessions tailored to various age groups. This
initiative seeks to enhance values of knowledge and Islamic education
through a unified digital platform, set to launch in October 2024 and run until
June 15, 2025.

Commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al-Muhairi,
Director General of the department, stated that ” Matwa’a Al-Freij”
designed specifically for females, is part of a series of community initiatives
undertaken by Dubai Islamic Affairs to achieve the goals of Dubai’s Social
Agenda 33, particularly those related to building a happier, more connected,
tolerant family while holding onto national values and identity.

He added that the department aims to provide advanced educational
opportunities that align with community needs and contribute to establishing a
strong foundation of Islamic values and principles, preparing a generation of
girls linked to the Book of Allah and His Sunnah. This initiative will also help
discover and nurture local talents by utilizing qualified retired Emirati women
with backgrounds in Islamic studies or Quran certification, emphasizing that ”
Matwa’a Al-Freij” will be the most accessible and recognized platform
within the community.

” Matwa’a Al-Freij” is an educational Quranic platform that enables
participants to learn and memorize the Quran remotely, employing modern
and innovative learning methods. It targets females aged 16 and above and
welcomes participants from people of determination and seniors, striving to
cultivate a conscious generation that positively impacts the community
through specialized lessons in the Quran, worship jurisprudence, and Islamic

values via interactive sessions on a digital platform. The initiative boasts
flexible lesson timings to cater to the needs of its target demographic.

Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim Abduljabbar, Acting Director of the Maktoum Centers for
Quran and Islamic Sciences, noted that the ” Matwa’a Al-Freij” initiative
was created to address the educational needs of females by offering diverse
lessons suitable for various age groups through a unified digital platform. He
affirmed the department’s commitment to providing an official platform for
knowledge exchange and enhancing Islamic values.

Dr. Abduljabbar added, “We encourage all interested women to register and
participate in this initiative, as it is an opportunity for development and active
engagement. We look forward to welcoming participants and supporting all
those wishing to join.”

It is worth mentioning that registration for the initiative will open during the first
week of October 2024, featuring sessions for Quran memorization and Islamic
sciences, scheduled throughout the week according to age groups.
Applications to become a “Matwa’a Al-Freij ” teacher can be submitted
through the Dubai Jobs app, adhering to the criteria set by the department.

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Emirates

Dubai Customs Triumphs Globally with Five-Star Excellence Award for Government Communication

through its Corporate Communication Department, has won the prestigious International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) award, earning the “Excellence Level – Five Stars” in Government Communication. This recognition highlights the department’s achievements, initiatives, innovations, and future vision. It also aligns with Dubai’s government efforts to create an innovation-driven environment, nurture talent, and institutionalize creativity. The award strengthens Dubai’s global standing, as the IBPC is a
renowned international competition, where organizations from around the world showcase their
best practices based on a framework of excellence and leadership. The winners are announced
during a special ceremony hosted by the Centre for Organizational Excellence Research (COER) in
New Zealand. This year, 72 organizations from 10 countries participated in the competition.
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, expressed his pride in
receiving this esteemed award, noting that it reflects Dubai Customs & strategic focus on fostering
a culture of creativity and innovation. He emphasized the importance of enhancing Dubai’s
global reputation through such awards, which highlight improvements in the customs
experience, service development, and effective communication with local and international
stakeholders. He added that Dubai’s forward-looking vision aligns with the leadership’s goals of
achieving excellence in applying international standards in digital content and integrated
institutional work.
Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, Director of the Corporate Communication Department, noted that Dubai
Customs surpassed many global organizations in the 10th edition of the competition,
establishing its government communication as a global model of innovative practices. He also
highlighted that these international awards contribute to the department’s continuous success
and its strong presence in the Dubai Government Excellence Program. The Corporate
Communication Department has won numerous global and local awards, including the
International Brilliance Award for Best Marketing and PR Team at the BOC Brilliance Awards in
London, the Bronze Award for Environmental Excellence at the 14th Annual World Summit for
Corporate Social Responsibility, the Global Sustainability Peacock Award from the Institute of Directors in London, and the Best Government Communication Team Award at both local and Arab levels from the Sharjah Government Communication Awards.

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Emirates

Dubai Future Foundation Issues Special ‘Global 50’ Report on Youth Ahead of UN Summit

The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) hasvlaunched a special edition of its ‘Global 50’ report, exploring innovative solutions that empower youth and future generations.
Released ahead of the 2024 United Nations’ Summit’ of the Future’ the ‘Global 50: Future
Opportunities’ report complements the forthcoming UN ‘Pact for the Future’ ‘Declaration on
Future Generations’ and ‘Global Digital Compact’, which focus on addressing challenges and
opportunities of today and for years to come.
This edition features insights from both international and UAE experts, spotlighting
opportunities that drive innovation, address global challenges, and support sustainability. The
strategies outlined aim to enhance public health, advance technology, stimulate economic
growth, and promote environmental sustainability. By capitalizing on these opportunities,
societies can adapt to evolving circumstances, strengthen resilience, and ensure a thriving future
for upcoming generations.
The ‘Global 50’ report, published annually by DFF, highlights 50 opportunities for growth and
well-being across diverse sectors. This special edition focuses on areas relevant to the summit’s
theme of empowering future generations.
Contributors to this edition include Dr. Ameena Al-Sumaiti, Associate Professor at Khalifa
University, who explores how AI-powered smart homes could revolutionize urban living by
adapting to human needs. In addition, Lambert Hogenhout, Chief Data and AI Officer at the
United Nations Secretariat, reflects on the concept of ‘Public AI’, posing the question, “What if
part of AI was a public good?”

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