The eighth edition of the “Al Dhaid Date Festival,” a significant economic, cultural, and social event in Sharjah, commenced this morning at Expo Al Dhaid and will run until July 28. Organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the festival features extensive participation from palm owners, farmers, industrialists, and productive families engaged in the date industry across the UAE, as well as various official bodies concerned with palm cultivation.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; Salem Ali Salem Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Municipal Council; Sheikh Salem bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA); and Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Second Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber, along with several board members and officials.
Following the official launch, attendees toured the display stands, exploring various types of dates and fruits. They engaged with farmers to learn about the showcased varieties, their unique attributes, and cultivation practices. Detailed explanations were provided about the meticulous care required for palm tree cultivation. The festival also includes competitions, contests, and heritage-themed activities.
The first day of the Al Dhaid Date Festival 2024 saw a significant turnout from palm owners and farmers eager to participate in the main festival’s competitions. These competitions offer valuable prizes to 130 winners across categories, including “The Best Lemons,” “Fig Contest,” “The Most Beautiful Home-grown Dates” (for women), and a new children’s dates competition called “Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty.”
Al Dhaid Date Festival 2024, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, offers a range of activities highlighting the UAE’s heritage in palm cultivation. The festival features five major competitions conducted based on stringent criteria, ensuring the dates’ quality, local origin, and absence of impurities.
