[ad_1]
DUBAI: Dubai Expo City’s iconic Al Wasl Square was transformed into a giant interfaith iftar tent on Sunday night, showcasing Dubai’s spirit of religious tolerance and community harmony.
Hundreds of people of all faiths, including leaders of different religions, joined Muslim scholars and Emirati officials for a special iftar – the sunset meal that ends a day of fasting. Also among the participants were senior officials from various entities and representatives of the country’s consular and diplomatic offices.
Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD) organized the second edition of Eid al-Fitr in Dubai as part of the ‘Dubai Ramadan’ initiative under the slogan ‘Dubai Ramadan with Our Loved Ones’.
The event kicked off with Dubai Police firing the traditional Ramadan cannon in front of the Al Wasl Dome, the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface, which has become a legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.
As people in religious attire take part in an Iftar ceremony under the dome, which showcases a vision of a dove representing peace and harmony, the event showcases how Dubai can connect East and West communities while celebrating the spirit of the Islamic holy month .
Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events, joins people from different faiths on Eid Sunday at the Eid Dubai Initiative hosted by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events, Dubai Expo City.Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Image Source:
“Spirit of Sharing”
Dr. Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of IACAD, said: “This is our second interfaith iftar event. Last year we decided to hold it on the second Sunday of every Ramadan. Last year it was held in Meydan, this time we chose the iconic location Al Wasl Plaza. We are very pleased to host leaders of all religions and people of all faiths to celebrate this holy month and the spirit of giving and sharing.”
Retired Major General Ahmed Al Mansouri, IACAD advisor, said the event, attended by more than 1,000 people, cemented Dubai’s model of coexistence, cohesion and acceptance of each other.
Father Marcos Estefanus of the Coptic Orthodox Church said: “We are honored and blessed to be here with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We live in the same country and city. We live in peace and are very tolerant environment. They gave us all the love in a practical way… from the heart, which comes from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was the one who started to show how to accept and love people, the leadership of the UAE continues to present his message to the world. This iftar is a message to the world, how to live with others and how to accept them unconditionally.”
Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events, joins people from different faiths on Eid Sunday at the Eid Dubai Initiative hosted by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events, Dubai Expo City.Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Image Source:
Surender Singh Kandhari, Chairman of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara said, “We are very lucky to be in Dubai, especially during Ramadan, the month of giving. It was an amazing thing to hold it in such a way and bring so many people together. We are also happy to support this initiative.”
Suzane Frim, a Lebanese Christian, said: “On this earth we are all the same, we have to accept each other, we need all cultures, religions and traditions. Dubai is a cosmopolitan city, it is open to the whole world. This is Dubai There is a difference. Everyone enjoys religious and cultural freedom in Dubai in their own way. We need events like this to show the world the camaraderie here.”
Residents from different faiths celebrated Eid al-Fitr for all religions and religious denominations on Sunday at the Dubai Eid Initiative hosted by the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events in Expo City.Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Image Source:
message from generation to generation
Rabbi Levi Duchman, Rabbi of the UAE Jewish Community, said: “Dubai is home to more than 200 nationalities and we have the opportunity to celebrate events like tonight. holidays, each other’s holiday, which is very important to us in the Jewish community. It really brings a positive outlook, not only for us sitting at the table, but for our children, future generations and the region as a whole. When they look By this point, they know that respect and coexistence exist and are alive in the city of Dubai.”
Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events, joins people from different faiths on Eid Sunday at the Eid Dubai Initiative hosted by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Events, Dubai Expo City.Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Image Source:
Suresh Galani, a member of the committee that manages the Hindu temples in Dubai, said: “It was a special experience for us to participate in this interfaith Eid al-Fitr under the magnificent dome of Al Wasl Square. More than one million Members of the strong Hindu community here live happily and grow together with all other community members. We are grateful for all the support from the authorities and people here. This Iftar speaks volumes about how cohesive the Dubai community is.”
The dome also screened a Ramadan-themed “Latifa and Rashid Show” titled “Mission to Find the Moon.”
[ad_2]
Source link
