More than 50,000 attendees gathered at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai for the inaugural “Emirates Loves Palestine” community event. The occasion, which highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and social bonds between the Emirati and Palestinian peoples, was held in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Abeer AlRamahi, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the UAE.
Organized in partnership with the UAE-Palestinian Friendship Club and the Palestinian Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the event served as a vibrant showcase of Palestinian heritage. The program featured an array of traditional music, folk performances, and artistic displays, alongside dedicated sections for authentic cuisine, crafts, and home-based projects that allowed visitors to engage directly with Palestinian traditions.
Addressing the massive crowd, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan described the gathering as the largest of its kind for the Palestinian community worldwide. He emphasized that the event reflects the genuine affection the UAE holds for the Palestinian people, stating, “In this gathering, which expresses the UAE’s love for Palestine, we send together a message of pure support and affection.” He further noted that the UAE remains committed to humanitarian efforts, prioritizing the relief of Palestinian suffering and maintaining its position as the largest donor of aid to the Gaza Strip.
The Minister highlighted that the event embodies the UAE’s broader commitment to tolerance, coexistence, and cultural openness. He praised the Palestinian community for their long-standing contributions to the nation’s development, noting that they have been an active and integral part of the country’s social fabric for decades. He also expressed his gratitude to the Palestinian Embassy, the Friendship Club, and the Business Council for their roles in organizing the successful celebration.
Cultural and community figures, including singer Mohammed Assaf and comedian Imad Farajin, participated in the festivities, sharing the richness of their heritage with the audience. The event also served as a platform to recognize the achievements of prominent community members. Among those honored for their contributions were Dr. Nader Darwich, founder of the Knee & Sports Medicine Center; Qusay Mohamed Ahmed Al Ghusain, a businessman and board member of the Emirati-Palestinian Friendship Club; Dr. Abeer Ismail Mohamed Al-Najjar, a professor of media and journalism at the American University of Sharjah; and Engineer Ahmad Adnan Zaki Saffarini, chairman of A.S.S.A.
The spirit of the celebration extended beyond Dubai, as the Gaza Strip simultaneously hosted a “Palestine Loves the UAE” event. Conducted in cooperation with Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, this parallel initiative celebrated the humanitarian ties and shared cultural legacy between the two nations.
The Palestinian Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates utilized the platform to strengthen connections among entrepreneurs and highlight the economic impact of the Palestinian community in the region. By fostering such community-led initiatives, the event reinforced the UAE’s role as a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity while maintaining the historic, fraternal bonds that unite the Emirati and Palestinian people. The report also notes that contributed effectively to the march of development and progress across various sectors. The report also notes that resting on firm fraternal bonds between the two peoples, and on a shared belief in the values of peace, coexistence, and human solidarity… We are certain that today’s gathering represents a new link in a continuous chain of meetings and events that strengthen these bonds, he said: “This gathering confirms that the relations between the United Arab Emirates and Palestine are deeply rooted and ever renewing relations. The report also notes that fares Moh’d Said Mustafa Abubaker, Engineer – SEE Institute, Eng. The report also notes that fouad Abdulhadi Mohammed Mashal, CEO, Al Barakah International Investment Group, Salam Ezzat Hussein Abu Shihab, Journalist & Media Professional, Al Khaleej, and Farouk Khalil Hafez Toukan, Chairman, Target Jordan Palestine Securities.