HABEEB M.VIIIC

FESTIVALS OF UAE

Some of the major festivals in Dubai are:

Eid-Al-Adha Ramadan Eid Al Fitr National Day Festival Dubai International Film Festival Dubai Shopping Festival

EID AL ADHA Eid Al Adha is a festival of sacrifice. It is celebrated at the end of

Hajj. This is the most important celebration in Islam. It takes place on the tenth day of the twelfth and last month of the islamic calender

This Festival is followed by a ‘Feast of Sacrifice’, which pays homage to the Prophet Ibrahim’s(PBUH) unselfish act of sacrificing his son, Ismael, to God. In turn, God spared the boy’s life and instead substituted a sheep. Now in remembrance, people sacrifice a lamb, goat, or other animal, and give the meat to family, friends, relatives, and most importantly, the poor. 

Eid-Al-Adha is a three-day celebration. It commences on the 10th day of Thul Hijjah and is celebrated in a manner similar to Eid-al-Fitr. It starts with a special holiday prayer, performed in congregation in the Masjid (Mosque) or other suitable place. It is a time of celebration, of visiting family and friends and of thanking ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), for all the blessings bestowed upon us. Fasting is prohibited during these days.

RAMADAN Ramadan is a major festival in Dubai. It is the month

of fasting. During Ramadan festival, all bars and pubs are closed. No alcohol is being served in restaurants. Non-Muslims are also prohibited from eating, drinking or smoking in public places. It is usually celebrated in between the months of October to November. 

EID AL FITR Eid-Al Fitr is celebrated across Dubai

with great fun and fervor. It is a three-day festival and is usually held after one month of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr is a feast marking the end of Ramadan and is celebrated over three days. Celebrations start after prayers in the morning, and gifts are exchanged. 

NATIONAL DAY National Day festival is very popular festival of

Dubai. It is celebrated across Dubai every year on 2nd December. It is celebrated to mark their independence from Britain. The National Day Festival in Dubai is celebrated to mark a very important day in the history of Dubai. This is the day when the city of Dubai had won back its much treasured independence from the colonial rule of the British. 

On this day, the doors of the city's most beautiful and important monuments are thrown open to the public. To celebrate the National Day Festival thousand of foreigners and citizens gather in Dubai and a host of events and functions are staged. 

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The Dubai International Film Festival was

launched in 2004 with its theme of ‘Bridging Cultures. DIFF is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organized by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority. 

Under the Honorary Chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum DIFF is going into its fourth year. Reflecting Dubai’s cosmopolitan and multicultural character, the festival showcases a wide selection of features, shorts and documentaries from around the world. 

DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL Dubai Shopping Festival is basically a shopping paradise.

Dubai is know around the world as such a paradise throughout the year, but they really lay out the red carpet during shopping festival month, with over 2,300 retails outlets participating, that offer everything imaginable from gold, perfume, haute couture, cars, electronics to handicrafts and textiles. As universal brotherhood, happiness, excitement, joy and adventure became the signature trademarks of Dubai Shopping Festival, the Festival itself became a tribute to the inherent ambition and strength of the people of the United Arab Emirates. Local and multinational brands acknowledged their faith in the event, and brands like Visa, Pepsi and Emirates Airlines became partners to DSF's growth.