A Ramadan festival at Expo City Dubai will offer glimpses into traditions of the holy month in the UAE and beyond. ‘Hai Ramadan’ will run from March 3 to April 25, with the city promising a “true celebration of the holy month with an enchanting atmosphere, delicious food and exciting activities.”
Amna Abulhoul, executive creative director of Expo City Dubai, stated: “Hai Ramadan will bring together many groups from all over throughout the holy month, much as Expo 2020 Dubai brought the globe together in the past. We are thrilled that in one location, our tourists will be able to celebrate some of the most well-known and well-known Ramadan customs in the whole globe.
There are fees for certain classes and games, but all events during Hai Ramadan, including the Al Wasl entertainment and sporting events, are free to attend. Vendors will sell fragrances, presents, and custom-made apparel during a night market.
Hai is an Arabic word with a dual meaning of ‘neighborhood’ and ‘welcome’. The festival will run for more than 50 days, beginning on the weekend prior to the UAE’s traditional celebration of Haq Al Laila.
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,” organizers said.
Isha as well as the unique Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers that are given during the holy month will be held in a dedicated mosque on the property.
Using the traditional Arab storytelling technique of hakawati, storytellers will recount folktales and tales of adventure, culture, religion, and morals after the Taraweeh prayer. The experience of this long-standing custom will also be celebrated all day long by Expo City Dubai’s Misaharati, who historically woke up their villages with drumming and singing before dawn so that they may drink water and partake in Suhoor.
Rashid and Latifa, Expo 2020 Dubai’s official mascots, will perform a theatrical presentation at Al Wasl Plaza. All ages of kids are invited to participate in workshops and activities to learn about aspects of Emirati culture and the principles of Ramadan, such as kindness, generosity, and compassion. Expo City Dubai will hold adult sports competitions with a designated zone that will include gaming, fitness, and wellness activations for individuals of all activity levels in an effort to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
In the days leading up to Ramadan, Hai Ramadan will be held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. throughout the holy month.