Expo City Dubai has gone all out for Ramadan 2023 from a Ramadan festival to a night market, to building a brand new mosque & even arranging Iftar by the famed waterfalls. Here’s why you must visit Expo City this Ramadan:
1. Hai Ramadan Festival At Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai has announced its latest offering for visitors, a Ramadan festival named ‘Hai Ramadan,’ which promises to showcase the traditions of the holy month in the UAE and beyond. The festival will run from March 3 to April 25, covering over 50 days, and will provide an immersive cultural experience for visitors from all over the world. The event is set to offer an enchanting atmosphere, delicious food, and exciting activities for people of all ages.
Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director of Expo City Dubai, stated that the festival would bring together different communities from all over the world and enable visitors to experience some of the world’s most famous Ramadan traditions in a single destination. Hai Ramadan will provide a cultural journey that allows visitors to 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.
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One of the unique features of the festival is the dedicated mosque on site that will host prayers, including Isha and the special Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers offered during the holy month. After the Taraweeh prayer, storytellers will evoke the ancient Arab art of Hakawati, narrating folktales and stories of adventure, culture, religion, and morality.
In addition, the festival will feature Expo City Dubai’s Misaharati, classic Ramadan figures who would wake up their communities with drumming and singing, traditionally before dawn, to drink water and partake in Suhoor. These figures will celebrate the experience of this age-old tradition throughout the day.
Al Wasl Plaza will offer a theatrical show by Expo 2020 Dubai’s official mascots, Rashid and Latifa. Children of all ages are welcome to join workshops and games to learn about elements of Emirati culture and the values of Ramadan, such as kindness, generosity, and compassion.
To promote a healthy lifestyle, Expo City Dubai will host sports tournaments for adults with a dedicated zone that will feature games, fitness, and wellness activations for people of all activity levels.
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The festival promises to be a true celebration of the holy month, with an enchanting atmosphere, delicious food, and exciting activities. Entry to the festival, including the Al Wasl show and sports activities, is free, with charges for some workshops and games.
Hai Ramadan Night Market
A night market will see vendors offer perfumes, gifts, and tailor-made clothing. The word Hai, used in the festival’s name, has a dual meaning of ‘neighborhood’ and ‘welcome.’ It is an Arabic word that embodies the values of community and inclusivity, which the festival aims to promote.
Hai Ramadan Festival Details:
The organizers hope to attract visitors from all over the world to this unique cultural event, with the festival running from 4 pm to 10 pm in the run-up to Ramadan, and from 5 pm to 2 am during the holy month.
2. New Mosque At Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai is set to unveil a new mosque in time for its Ramadan festival, ‘Hai Ramadan’, which will run from March 3 to April 25. The mosque, located near the Korean Pavilion, will be at the heart of the festivities, which will feature a range of traditional Ramadan activities, food and events from around the world.
The mosque’s Mashrebeya design elements will cast light across the walkways, offering visitors the chance to admire its beauty. Meanwhile, worshippers will be able to attend all prayers at the mosque, including the special Taraweeh prayers offered after Isha, and the Qiyam-ul-layl prayers during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The festival will also introduce visitors to classic Ramadan figures, such as Misaharatis, who traditionally wake up their communities with drumming before dawn to enable the faithful to take their Suhoor meals before the fast begins. They will be present in a children’s show with Expo mascots Rashid and Latifa, as well as through on-site activations. The event will also feature a storyteller who will narrate folktales and stories of adventure, culture, religion and morality, known as hakawati.
The opening of the mosque is a significant event for Expo City Dubai, as it serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer during the holy month of Ramadan. The festival and the opening of the mosque will bring visitors from all over the world to experience the beauty and culture of the Muslim faith, and to discover the true essence of Ramadan. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase traditional Ramadan values to the youth, and to revive some of the beautiful traditions that existed in the Arab world. Overall, the mosque is a welcome addition to Expo City Dubai, offering a spiritual oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the festivities.
3. Break Your Fast At Expo City’s Surreal Waterfalls
Expo City Dubai is opening its most visited spot, the Surreal waterfall, for corporate Iftar events during the holy month of Ramadan. The gravity-defying water feature, which combines water, fire, and music, was one of the biggest crowd-pullers during Expo 2020 Dubai, and visitors can now dine there in a singularly unique and private experience as part of the corporate Iftar offering. Dalya Kattan, creative studio director of Events & Entertainment, said that the corporate Iftar offering is part of the 50-day Hai Ramadan festivities that Expo City Dubai is hosting for the holy month, which will run from March 3 to April 25.
Kattan also mentioned that while there will be a significant array of food and beverage options for families, children, and large groups to enjoy, the festival will create a sense of community. They will also have a long communal table that will weave throughout the dining district, allowing people to sit together, share a meal and make new friends through spontaneous interactions.
Expo City Dubai will also have “extensive” F&B offerings to take on those “extra powerful Ramadan cravings”. From savoury and spicy dishes to sweet treats, there will be something to satisfy every visitor’s appetite. Visitors can dine in a restaurant or have a grab-and-go meal. There will also be street vendors who specialize in quick items such as fresh samosas, delicious sweets, and more, making sure everyone is catered for. Expo City Dubai is particularly mindful of accommodating all kinds of dietary restrictions or preferences, ensuring that anyone who comes to Hai Ramadan will find something just for them.
The corporate Iftar offering at the Surreal waterfall is a unique opportunity for corporates to treat their employees to a memorable experience during the holy month of Ramadan. With the 50-day Hai Ramadan festivities at Expo City Dubai, visitors can look forward to enjoying delicious food, making new friends, and experiencing the magical atmosphere of the holy month. Whether you want to dine in a restaurant or have a grab-and-go meal, you’ll have multiple options available, ensuring that every visitor has an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.
