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Emirates 24/7
14 hours ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Al Dhaid Date Festival attracts major date producers from across UAE
The 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, the most prominent agricultural and commercial event organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), officially opened today, Thursday, at Expo Al Dhaid. Running from July 23 to 27, the festival has attracted major date producers and palm farmers from across the UAE, along with 15 agricultural companies and key stakeholders from governmental and private agricultural entities and home-based businesses. The official opening ceremony was attended by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE); Dr Mohammed Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE; Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah City Municipal Council; and members of the SCCI board. Also present were Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Sultan Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre; and Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, along with heads of municipal councils in Central and Eastern Sharjah, senior officials, and representatives of participating government entities. Following the official launch, the attendees toured the festival and explored diverse displays of dates and fruits, engaging directly with farmers and exhibitors who shared insights into product quality and palm care techniques. The attendees were also briefed about the various competitions, contests, and heritage-themed activities held on the opening day, which highlighted the value of local agricultural heritage and enriched the cultural dimension of the festival. The opening ceremony featured official recognition of participating government entities for their support, in addition to awarding winners of the first two days of competitions. Evening programming offered a variety of heritage contests and entertainment programmes, complemented by an expert-led seminar focusing on palm tree varieties, cultivation methods, and the distinctive characteristics of Sharjah's agricultural practices, emphasising both traditional knowledge and modern farming innovation. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said: 'Over nine successive editions the festival has firmly positioned itself as both a cultural landmark and a dynamic economic platform supporting hundreds of farmers in Sharjah and the UAE.' He noted that this success reinforces the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to advancing the agricultural sector by fostering a competitive environment that encourages farmers to improve the quality of their produce. Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, affirmed that the Al Dhaid Date Festival is a national initiative supporting the UAE's food security efforts and strengthening sustainable agricultural systems. He added: "The festival, held annually, with its broad community participation and remarkable engagement, underscores a growing awareness of the importance of investing in local agriculture..." He emphasised the alignment with the Ministry's vision to bolster agricultural resilience, innovation, and sustainability. Mohammed Musabah Al Tunaiji stated that the festival acts as a strategic interface between farmers and investors, fostering partnerships and highlighting emerging talents and youth engagement in palm cultivation. This year's edition features multiple competitions with substantial prizes, covering categories such as Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, along with two elite categories: 'General Al Dhaid Elite Dates' and 'Special Al Dhaid Elite Dates' for Northern Emirates farmers. Additional contests include a women-focused homegrown date competition, the 'Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty' contest for children, and competitions for local lemon and red fig varieties. All entries are held to high standards under the Chamber's 'Busharat Al-Qeith' initiative promoting early harvest excellence. The festival includes a rich lineup of heritage-themed activities, expert-led workshops, and educational seminars promoting best practices in palm care and modern farming technologies. It also provides home-based producers with commercial exposure, contributing to socio-economic engagement under the UAE's Year of Community theme. The festival offers a well-rounded experience blending heritage, economic exchange, and public awareness. It reinforces its role as a leading platform for farmers and agri-sector stakeholders, promoting agricultural excellence, community involvement, and the celebration of local produce within a culturally immersive environment.
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Chamber opens 9th Al Dhaid Date Festival
Strong national participation and exhibitor engagement Running from July 23 to 27, the festival has attracted major date producers and palm farmers from across the UAE, along with 15 agricultural companies and key stakeholders from governmental and private agricultural entities and home-based businesses. High-level attendance at the opening ceremony The official opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; His Excellency Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE); His Excellency Dr Mohammed Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE; His Excellency Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah City Municipal Council; and members of the SCCI board. Also present were His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; His Excellency Sultan Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre; and Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, along with heads of municipal councils in Central and Eastern Sharjah, senior officials, and representatives of participating government entities. Festival tour and opening day highlights Following the official launch, the attendees toured the festival and explored diverse displays of dates and fruits, engaging directly with farmers and exhibitors who shared insights into product quality and palm care techniques. Cultural competitions and heritage celebrations The attendees were also briefed about the various competitions, contests, and heritage-themed activities held on the opening day, which highlighted the value of local agricultural heritage and enriched the cultural dimension of the festival. The opening ceremony featured official recognition of participating government entities for their support, in addition to awarding winners of the first two days of competitions. Evening programmes and expert seminars Evening programming offered a variety of heritage contests and entertainment programmes, complemented by an expert-led seminar focusing on palm tree varieties, cultivation methods, and the distinctive characteristics of Sharjah's agricultural practices, emphasising both traditional knowledge and modern farming innovation. SCCI chairman emphasises the Festival's economic and cultural value In his remarks, His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said: 'Over nine successive editions the festival has firmly positioned itself as both a cultural landmark and a dynamic economic platform supporting hundreds of farmers in Sharjah and the UAE.' He noted that this success reinforces the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to advancing the agricultural sector by fostering a competitive environment that encourages farmers to improve the quality of their produce. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment highlights food security role His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, affirmed that the Al Dhaid Date Festival is a national initiative supporting the UAE's food security efforts and strengthening sustainable agricultural systems. He added: "The festival, held annually, with its broad community participation and remarkable engagement, underscores a growing awareness of the importance of investing in local agriculture..." He emphasised the alignment with the Ministry's vision to bolster agricultural resilience, innovation, and sustainability. Al Dhaid Festival as a hub for farmers and investors Mohammed Musabah Al Tunaiji stated that the festival acts as a strategic interface between farmers and investors, fostering partnerships and highlighting emerging talents and youth engagement in palm cultivation. Extensive competitions with diverse categories This year's edition features multiple competitions with substantial prizes, covering categories such as Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, along with two elite categories: 'General Al Dhaid Elite Dates' and 'Special Al Dhaid Elite Dates' for Northern Emirates farmers. Additional contests include a women-focused homegrown date competition, the 'Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty' contest for children, and competitions for local lemon and red fig varieties. All entries are held to high standards under the Chamber's 'Busharat Al-Qeith' initiative promoting early harvest excellence. Cultural activities and technical workshops The festival includes a rich lineup of heritage-themed activities, expert-led workshops, and educational seminars promoting best practices in palm care and modern farming technologies. It also provides home-based producers with commercial exposure, contributing to socio-economic engagement under the UAE's Year of Community theme. Side events and educational programmes The side events span several days, starting with a Friday session titled 'Generational Dialogue for a Sustainable Future,' followed by Saturday's lecture on date harvesting and Sunday's seminar on successful agricultural models. Daily programming includes cultural competitions, entertainment, raffles, and award ceremonies for competition winners. A comprehensive and community-oriented experience Open from Thursday to Sunday, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., the festival offers a well-rounded experience blending heritage, economic exchange, and public awareness. It reinforces its role as a leading platform for farmers and agri-sector stakeholders, promoting agricultural excellence, community involvement, and the celebration of local produce within a culturally immersive environment.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Chamber opens 9th Al Dhaid Dates Festival with extensive participation from farmers across the UAE
Sharjah, The 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, the most prominent agricultural and commercial event organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), officially opened today, Thursday, at Expo Al Dhaid. Running from July 23 to 27, the festival has attracted major date producers and palm farmers from across the UAE, along with 15 agricultural companies and key stakeholders from governmental and private agricultural entities and home-based businesses. The official opening ceremony was attended by H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; H.E. Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE); H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE; H.E. Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah City Municipal Council; and members of SCCI board. Also present were H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; H.E. Sultan Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre; and Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, as well as heads of municipal councils in Central and Eastern regions of Sharjah, senior officials, and representatives of participating government entities. Following the official launch, the attendees toured the festival and explored diverse displays of dates and fruits, engaging directly with farmers and exhibitors who shared insights into product quality and palm care techniques. The attendees were also briefed about the various competitions, contests, and heritage-themed activities held on the opening day, which highlighted the value of local agricultural heritage and enriched the cultural dimension of the festival. The opening ceremony featured official recognition of participating government entities for their support, in addition to awarding winners of the first two days of competitions. Evening programming offered a variety of heritage contests and entertainment programmes, complemented by an expert-led seminar focusing on palm tree varieties, cultivation methods, and the distinctive characteristics of Sharjah's agricultural practices, emphasising both traditional knowledge and modern farming innovation. In his remarks, H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said: 'Over nine successive editions the festival has firmly positioned itself as both a cultural landmark and a dynamic economic platform supporting hundreds of farmers in Sharjah and the UAE.' He noted that this success reinforces the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to advancing the agricultural sector by fostering a competitive environment that encourages farmers to improve the quality of their produce. 'The festival serves as an annual hub for showcasing agricultural output, exchanging expertise, and promoting best practices, thereby driving higher production standards and strengthening the agricultural sector's overall contribution to the local and national economy,' Al Owais added. His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, affirmed that the Al Dhaid Date Festival is a national initiative supporting the UAE's food security efforts and strengthening sustainable agricultural systems in the country. His Excellency emphasised that empowering farmers and enhancing their capacity to adopt climate-smart agricultural techniques and sustainable farming practices is paramount to the UAE's food security goals. His Excellency added: "The festival, held annually, with its broad community participation and remarkable engagement, underscores a growing awareness of the importance of investing in local agriculture. This is especially true for palm cultivation, a cornerstone of the UAE's environment, economy, and culture. These efforts align with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment's vision to bolster the local agricultural ecosystem, stimulate innovation, and develop value chains for national products. Ultimately, this contributes to strengthening the sector's resilience and achieving the nation's objectives in both climate change mitigation and food security.' For his part, Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji said that the Al Dhaid Date Festival acts as a strategic interface between farmers and investors, offering both parties valuable opportunities to network and establish mutually beneficial partnerships. He highlighted the festival's role in showcasing emerging talents and high-potential ventures, while also successfully engaging youth and cultivating interest in the date palm cultivation sector among the next generation. This year's edition features multiple competitions with substantial prizes, covering categories such as Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, in addition to two prestigious elite categories: the 'General Al Dhaid Elite Dates,' and the 'Special Al Dhaid Elite Dates,' designated for farmers from the Northern Emirates. Participants in these competitors are all vying to showcase the finest produce from their date palm farms. The scope of competition includes targeted categories aimed at engaging diverse community segments, such as a women-focused homegrown date contest and 'Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty' contest (only for children), alongside local lemon and red fig competitions. All entries must meet rigorous standards, including being defect-free, locally grown in 2025, and sourced from participants' own farms. These structured guidelines reinforce the credibility of the event and align with the Sharjah Chamber's new "Busharat Al-Qeith" initiative, launched as part of this year's preparations to celebrate early-harvest farmers and institutionalize a culture of agricultural excellence. This year's festival hosts a variety of cultural and heritage-themed activities, as well as a series of expert-led workshops and educational seminars designed to disseminate best practices in palm tree care and support the adoption of modern technologies for productivity enhancement and quality enhancement. Furthermore, the festival offers an active platform for home-based producers to display their heritage-driven innovations, enhancing their commercial visibility and contributing to broader socio-economic engagement, in line with the Year of Community in the UAE. The festival's side events extend over several days, beginning with a Friday dialogue session titled 'Generational Dialogue for a Sustainable Future', followed by a Saturday lecture on date and palm fruit harvesting. Sunday includes a seminar focused on successful agricultural case studies. Daily programming incorporates heritage-themed competitions, interactive entertainment, audience raffles, and daily ceremonies to honor the winners of the festival's various date competitions. Open from Thursday to Sunday, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., the festival delivers a well-rounded experience combining heritage-themed contests, economic activities, and purposeful awareness programs. This agenda reinforces the festival's role as a premier platform for farmers and agricultural stakeholders and as a family-oriented event that promotes awareness, supports agri-tourism, and showcases the diversity of local date produce within a culturally immersive setting.
The National
09-04-2025
- General
- The National
UAE charity delivers 615,000 iftar meals in Dh165 million Ramadan drive
A leading UAE charitable organisation delivered more than 600,000 iftar meals in the Emirates and across the globe as part of a Dh165 million ($44.9 million) Ramadan drive. The International Charity Organisation – which was established in Ajman in 1984 and operates in 23 countries – offered critical support to people in need through a variety of humanitarian projects held during the holy month. The ICO organises charity campaigns annually in celebration of the generous spirit of Ramadan, which this year was observed from March 1 to March 29 in the Emirates. Key successes of the 2025 initiative included the distribution of 315,000 iftar meals in "highly impoverished regions" and 22,000 food parcels in more than 450 villages internationally, state news agency Wam reported on Wednesday. Within the UAE, the ICO served up a further 300,000 iftar meals, 3,500 Ramadan food baskets, and 80,000 Fitra – also known as Zakat Al Fitr – donations of food given to needy families before the start of Eid Al Fitr. The Ramadan effort also funded the building of 258 mosques, supported the drilling of 1,000 water wells in areas facing water scarcity, and provided assistance to 60,000 orphans. Additional charitable endeavours encompassed medical care and equipment provision, debt relief efforts, and support for income-generating family projects. Sheikh Dr Mohammed Al Nuaimi, chairman of the ICO's board of trustees, said crucial support from the public had helped exceed the initial targets of the campaign and reiterated the UAE's commitment to providing assistance to vulnerable people in all corners of the globe. He offered his thanks to the dedicated teams of the ICO for their outstanding contributions during Ramadan and highlighted that a spirit of giving remained at the heart of the body's work. The UAE seeks to put philanthropy in focus during Ramadan, with charitable drives regularly launched during the period. This year, the UAE raised more than Dh3.72 billon through the Fathers' Endowment campaign, which was created to provide 'treatment and health care to the poor and needy'. This figure was reached thanks to the contributions of 277,000 donors. Meanwhile, the UAE Food Bank distributed millions of meals both domestically and internationally as part of its United in Giving campaign.
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research organizes the 2nd edition of the Mufakiru Al Emarat Forum
As part of the ongoing activities of the « «Mufakiru Al Emarat » Project, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) will host the 2nd edition of the « Mufakiru Al Emarat » Forum on Tuesday, January 28, at the St. Regis Resort on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. His Excellency Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the ECSSR, stated that the 2nd edition of the «Mufakiru Al Emarat» Forum is being held under the theme «Creative National Ideas». The forum brings together an elite group of experts, researchers, academics, and Emirati students to design ideas for a better future for our nation and future generations. It also aims to enhance the contribution of national thought toward achieving the goals of the «UAE Centennial UAE 2071», serving as the overarching framework from which the «Mufakiru Al Emarat» Project originates. Al Nuaimi explained that the forum, in its 1st edition held on February 7, 2024, proved that Emirati thought is capable of presenting forward-thinking and creative visions across diverse domains. He observed that the 2nd edition will continue along this path to reaffirm the proactive vision of our nation and its leaders. Regarding the core themes of the forum's 2nd edition, they focus on three key issues: national identity and the Emirati personality, education and community development, and artificial intelligence and future technologies. Within these themes, the forum will address a range of priority issues for community development, including the role of education, the impact of societal transformations on families, the challenge of balancing authenticity and modernity, youth, continuous education, and the labor market. Additionally, the forum will tackle the topic of population aging and the importance of implementing policies to address it, as well as the concept of «social innovation», which aims to activate the roles of companies and civil society organizations in developing ideas that enhance the ability to address societal challenges and issues. The 2nd edition of the «Mufakiru Al Emarat» Forum includes 14 interactive discussion sessions across key platforms, such as the «Trends Session», which will explore future trends and Emirati aspirations, and the «Fikr Majlis», featuring dialogues with leaders, experts, and decision-makers, along with key panel discussions. The sub-platforms include the «Researchers' Majlis», which hosts academic discussions to generate creative ideas, and the «Mufakiru Al Emarat's Lab», bringing together the ECSSR's strategic partners with youth and academics in interactive workshops designed to equip them with essential 21st-century skills and methodologies. Additionally, the «Through Youth Perspectives» platform will feature discussions blending youth perspectives with those of experienced professionals to address youth-related issues, culminating in a set of forward-looking solutions. The forum's 2nd edition will host 45 Emirati speakers, including experts, academics, youth, and specialists in various critical fields. It is expected to attract over 650 participants from diverse audiences, engaging them in a rich intellectual experience showcasing innovative perspectives on Emirati thought. As for the target audience of the 2nd edition of the «Mufakiru Al Emarat» Forum, where youth hold a prominent position, it includes various groups such as decision-makers, academics, researchers, media professionals, and social media influencers. Among the prominent speakers at the forum is His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, who will speak in a session titled «UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031: The Future of the Transportation Sector». Also speaking are His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs. Both will participate in a session titled «Youth: Continuous Education and the Labor Market». His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, will speak in a session titled «Population Aging: Where Are We Now?». Additionally, His Excellency Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defense affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee in the Federal National Council, and His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, will participate in the session titled «Emirati Identity: National and Global Balance». The «Mufakiru Al Emarat» Project is one of the strategic initiatives of the ECSSR, encompassing a range of other intellectual projects. Among them is the «Encyclopedia of UAE Leaders 'Al-Ittihad')», launched on January 26, 2024. This initiative aims to document the intellectual legacy of the Emirati leadership and present it on a digital platform in innovative, interactive ways, adhering to rigorous scientific standards. The «Mufakiru Al Emarat» Project aims to achieve several objectives, including activating the contributions of national academic and intellectual expertise to the renaissance journey witnessed by the UAE and enhancing sources of soft power. This is accomplished by supporting Emirati scientific research initiatives and encouraging intellectual endeavors that promote the sustainability of comprehensive development. The project's progress has been solidly anchored by the support of its «success partners», including the researchers and specialists contributing to this pioneering intellectual initiative, as well as its partner institutions: Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, Higher Colleges of Technology, and Zayed University. This embodies the ECSSR's conviction that «work is a collective effort, by everyone and for everyone».
