Tourism & Hospitality | Wednesday 15 June, 2016 10:53 am |

The vibrant city of Dubai is set to receive the holy month of Ramadan with a wide range of cultural and family events inspired by the values of the holy month. The 6th edition of ‘Ramadan in Dubai’, the multi-purpose awareness campaign, will be highlighting how Dubai embraces the serenity and tranquility that comes with Ramadan as a month of spiritual enlightenment, yet remains faithful to its dynamic business environment. 

 

Most of the events and activities under the ‘Ramadan in Dubai’ banner involves the whole community under a common platform of collaboration between the government and private sectors, and is part of the bigger efforts to further enhance Dubai’s image as a must-visit holiday destination across the year.

 

The range of Ramadan activities allows fasting and non-fasting people to discover and be a part of the period of enlightenment while at the same time enjoying the vibrant ambience and hospitality of a city that has made its mark internationally as a year-round family tourism destination.

 

From cultural activities embracing the spirit of Ramadan and showcasing Emirati heritage to indoor events and daily Iftar gatherings, the citywide Ramadan in Dubai campaign is offering a line-up of special experiences for both residents and tourists to enjoy.

 

 

‘Ramadan in Dubai’ calendar of events and activities:

 

Culture 

Dubai International Holy Quran Award

Venue: Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry 

Date: 6 June – 25 June 

 

This event, founded in 1997 under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, features Holy Quran memorization contests, as well as lectures on Islam at various locations across the emirate – the event is aimed at confirming and celebrating Islamic values. Many world-renowned Islamic scholars have been invited to enliven this spiritual month. The events of the festival are held from the first until the 20th of Ramadan each year.

To learn more about Islam and Ramadan, visit: http://www.quran.gov.ae/ 

 

Open Doors, Open Minds – Ramadan Iftar

Venue: Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU)

Date: 8 June – 4 July

Held in the courtyard of the wind-tower house in the heart of the Al Fahidi Historic District of Old Bur Dubai, and hosted by Emiratis the “Open Doors, Open Minds” cultural experience enables an interactive opportunity for learning more about Ramadan, as well as the UAE history,  culture and cuisine.

To learn about Emirati culture this Ramadan, make a group booking by visiting: http://www.cultures.ae/index.php/contact 

 

Princess Haya bint Al Hussain Center – Ramadan Initiatives

Venue: Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein Islamic Cultural Center

Date: 6 June – 4 July 

A series of Islamic activities for the Muslim women society such as a Quran Challenge, Quran Recitation activities and Islamic lectures throughout the month of Ramadan. Join gatherings of culture and tradition by engaging with Muslim women and learning more about Islam.

 

Zayed Humanitarian Work Day

Venue: Elderly Home

Date: 24 June

 

On the 19th day of Ramadan every year, the UAE celebrates Zayed Humanitarian Work Day in memory of the founder of the state, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who passed away on that day.  Join Dubai Culture, by visiting a home and brining happiness to the hearts of the elderly this Ramadan: http://www.dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/Pages/default.aspx 

 

Culture – All year round 

Jumeirah Mosque 

Venue: Jumeirah Beach Road 

Throughout Ramadan 

One of the most beautiful mosques in the Arab world, and one of the most photographed landmarks in Dubai, Jumeirah Mosque is characterized by the white stone used to build it in the Medieval Fatimid Tradition. The mosque that welcomes up to 1.200 worshippers, is most beautiful when lit up at dusk, when the artistry is most evident. 

 

Enjoy a bit of culture and heritage, and learn more about the Emirati culture and the UAE by visiting Jumeirah Mosque during the day prior to Iftar. 

 

Al Ahmadiya School & Heritage House 

Venue: Al Fahidi Fort 

Throughout Ramadan 

 

A former residence of a wealthy pearl merchant, and the first school of its kind in Dubai, Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House dates back to the 1890s. It was fully renovated in 1995 as a museum of education. 

 

To interactively learn about the Emirati culture this Ramadan, visit Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House; where each will offer traditional insight including dioramas, videos, design, as well as furnishing that represent Dubai’s past. 

 

 

Shopping 

 

Ramadan Night Market

Venue: Za’abeel Halls 4 & 5, Dubai World Trade Centre

Date: 23 June – 2 July

Bringing retailers from across the world together, Ramadan Night Market offers visitors endless shopping opportunities, as well as family fun. The ten day market offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of branded merchandise from over 300 retailers.

 

Eventra Ramadan Fair

Venue: Sunset Mall, Jumeirah Road 

Date: 15 June – 20 June 

Local and regional retailers showcase their talents through fashion, food and more. This 5 day event has been running for 8 years and continues to see rising entrepreneurs year on year

 

Malls across Dubai 

Most of the malls across the city of Dubai keep their lights on and shopping is extended to a few hours later than the rest of the year 

 

 

Sports and Games

Dubai Sports World

Venue: Sheikh Saeed Halls, Dubai World Trade Centre

Date: 5 June – 27 August

Celebrating its 6th outing this year, the UAE’s largest indoor summer sports venue offers athletes and sports lovers the opportunity to engage in 10 weeks of action-packed sports, tournaments, and engaging activities. The multi-purpose Dubai Sports World 2016 will feature four pro-standard pitches for five-a-side football, four pro-standard pitches for seven-a-side football and rugby, four basketball courts, two tennis courts, six badminton courts, a mini cricket pitch nets, a regulation-sized volleyball court, an expansive skate-boarding and BMX park, a state-of-the-art gym by TechnoGym, a dedicated fitness studio for group classes and a cycling studio. 

 

Keep active this Ramadan, bring a friend, and engage in a few of your favorite sports: http://www.dubaisportsworld.ae/pages/dswhome

 

 

Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament (NAS)  

Venue: Nad Al Sheba Sports complex

Date: 7 June – 29 June

Embracing all sports lovers of all nationalities, genders and interests, NAS offers tournaments and competitions in several sports including: football, volleyball, squash, paddle tennis, running ( 10km), cycling (70 km), tennis, archery, wheelchair, as well as bow and arrow. 

To keep active during the month of Ramadan, register online by visiting: www.nasst.ae 

 

Gastronomy

 

Food is known to bring people together and even more so during the month of Ramadan. Dubai is known for its plethora of F&B outlets as well as a 3 week annual festival, the Dubai Food Festival which takes place every February, Dubai has placed its mark on the map for being a gastronomy haven. Housing over 200 nationalities, the variety of food outlets is endless 

 

Hotels & Tents 

Most of Dubai’s hotels embrace the Holy Month of Ramadan and additionally have tents that create an ambience not to be missed for both Iftar and Suhoor 

 

Dubai is open for business all year long – for the sightseer’s and adventurous 

Laserdrome 

Venue: Dubai Motor City - Dubai

Throughout Ramadan 

In for a thrill? Bring your friends and enjoy a medieval castle type environment of 400 square meters. Challenge yourself and your friends to a battle of laser guns in a dungeon style decorated venue, with lighting and artificial fog aimed at challenging opponents. 

 

The less adventurous types can enjoy scalextric, X-Box games, as well as pool and billiards at the center. Visit http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/contact-2/ to add a bit of spice to your summer. 

 

iFly 

Venue: City Center Mirdif 

Throughout Ramadan 

Be a bit of a dare devil this Ramadan, and feel the sensation of sky diving at City Center Mirdif. Enjoy your weekday or weekend by soaring to new heights in the 10-meter acrylic glass tunnels at iFly Dubai. 

 

Nurture your talent, or learn something new this Ramadan by visiting: http://www.theplaymania.com/ifly/learn-how-sky-dive 

 

Discover Dubai

In a city that is evergreen in its touristic and entertainment offerings, exploration can never get old. Turning away from the thrill and action, a tranquil Dubai can be enjoyed prior to and after Iftar. 

 

Dubai Butterfly Garden 

Venue: Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand Area, Beside Dubai Miracle Garden - Dubai

Throughout Ramadan 

See more of Dubai by visiting the biggest cove-red butterfly garden in the world, and one of the city’s newest attractions.  The Butterfly Garden consists of nine custom built domes around 2,600 meters square, as well as a butterfly museum; and is home to thousands of colorful butterflies from around the world.  

 

There is no better time than the month of Ramadan, characterized by shorter working hours, to explore a city that is continuously innovative with its offerings to residents and tourists alike. 

 

 

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary 

Venue: Ras Al Khor, Dubai 

Throughout Ramadan 

Located at the mouth of Dubai’s Creek, and one of the few protected urban areas in the world, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (Cape of the Creek), is the destination of choice to tens of thousands of migrating birds. 

 

Spread over an area of 620 hectares, featuring a combination of salt flats, intertidal mudflats, mangroves and lagoons, the sanctuary supports more than 20,000 water birds and 67 species. It is also home to more than 500 species of flora and fauna, and one of the best-managed arid wetland zones in the region. 

 

A serene yet celebratory time of year, Ramadan is characterized by bringing people together; be it through religious and cultural activities, social events and gatherings, or food festivities. 

 

Dubai Tourism’s strategic partners in Ramadan: 

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), AW Rostamani, Dubai Duty Free, and Meraas Holding.