The “Season of Loyalty” embodies shared values ​​and community participation in Dubai

The “Season of Familiarity” initiative reflected the essential role of the combined efforts of government agencies and civil society partners in presenting an integrated program of activities at the emirate level within the initiative’s activities, in a way that embodies the shared values ​​of giving, contemplation, and community participation during the night, the holy month, and Eid al-Fitr. The “Season of Love” included a group of cultural programmes, charitable initiatives and other activities for youth and programs presented in mosques, in addition to activities available to everyone and experiences in various destinations.
These events were the result of close cooperation between government institutions and various partners in society. This provided residents and visitors with many ways to enjoy the distinctive atmosphere during the season in various parts of the city, including neighborhoods, heritage sites, sea destinations, and public facilities, in a unique experience throughout the season.

Ahmed Al Khaja, Executive Director of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, said: “The ‘Walfa’ season embodies a pioneering model for integrating efforts between government agencies and the private sector, in order to achieve our goals with the highest levels of efficiency and impact. We have been keen, through the program’s activities, to design an exceptional experience extending across ‘Haq Al Laila’, the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, with the aim of strengthening community ties and enhancing the city’s cultural identity. This comes through an integrated package of qualitative initiatives in the retail and hospitality sectors. The community contributions are carefully designed to meet the aspirations of residents and visitors alike, enhance the quality of life and reflect our city’s status as a vibrant global destination.”

Mona Faisal Al Gurg, Executive Director of the Museums and Heritage Sector at the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “The right of the night, the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr are distinguished by an exceptional cultural presence thanks to the authentic customs and traditions they carry that are evident in the details of daily life, in the methods of family communication, and the stories that are passed down from generation to generation. Through its cultural programs, storytelling initiatives, and spaces designated for artistic expression, ‘Dubai Culture’ seeks to provide innovative platforms that contribute to preserving societal traditions.” Documenting it, and enhancing its presence within the city’s cultural experience, allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the Walafa season as a human space for contemplation, communication, and recollection of shared cultural memory.”

These events and programs reflect Dubai Culture’s ongoing efforts to consolidate the status of the Wolfa Season as an experience based on national identity, warm moments, and shared experience through a selected agenda that includes a series of lectures, storytelling programs, artistic installations, and community councils.

In turn, Maitha Al Shamsi, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Sector at the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said: “The ‘Season of Wisdom’ represents, in its essence, an opportunity to enhance family and community cohesion in a real and tangible way, especially within the framework of the ‘Year of the Family’, which highlights the importance of consolidating family ties and enhancing community cohesion. We have been keen to design our initiatives to include various segments of society, from senior citizens, youth, minors and people of determination, in order to create a positive environment that enhances “Joy, communication, and instilling values that unite family members and strengthen their bonds, through initiatives such as Hamayel Al Khair, The Little Reader, and Sawalif Al Mayalis. We were also keen to enable the beneficiary families to obtain support in a way that preserves their dignity and enhances their independence, in addition to engaging home business entrepreneurs from Emirati families in serving the community effectively through initiatives such as ‘A Gift in Its Place’ and ‘The Good of Dubai to its People.’ Volunteers also played a pivotal role in achieving this impact on the ground.”

The charitable initiatives provided, including support systems in stores and neighborhood council discussions, succeeded in enhancing community contributions in a way that preserves the dignity of individuals and enhances family ties and community solidarity throughout the Walafa season.

Mohammed Musabih Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Sector and General Coordinator of the “Ramadan in Dubai” initiative at the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, confirmed that the initiatives implemented this year within the Welfah Season reflected an integrated model of joint institutional work, as the efforts of government agencies and community partners converged to present a comprehensive program that balances the spiritual, humanitarian and cultural dimensions, and enhances the presence of the values ​​embodied by the blessed month of Ramadan and the Welfah Season in general in the life of society.

He explained that community and humanitarian initiatives and programs related to mosques contributed to providing broad opportunities for participation, volunteering and solidarity, which enhances community cohesion and translates the meanings of giving into a tangible impact on the ground. He pointed out that the diversity of initiatives and their spread in various regions of the emirate allowed community members to participate during the season in an integrated experience that reflects Dubai’s identity and its authentic values.

He added that the integration of roles between the participating parties contributed to achieving a positive, sustainable impact, stressing that the “Season of Love” continues to establish a business model based on partnership and institutional coordination, which enhances the quality of community initiatives and keeps pace with the aspirations of society, and embodies Dubai’s vision of supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life and establish the values ​​of compassion and cohesion among members of society.

Educational initiatives, including creative competitions with student participation and programs directed at youth, also demonstrated the great role that schools play in integrating cultural awareness and social responsibility into initiatives dedicated to the holy month.

In turn, Dr. Abdul Rahman Nasser, Executive Director of the Institutional Support Sector at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, said: “The Wolfa Season initiatives demonstrated the strength of cooperation between the government and private sectors, as they celebrated the Emirati identity and the values of the season, including the right of the night, the holy month, and Eid al-Fitr, and reflected the spirit of Dubai and the UAE as a unique model of authenticity, coexistence, and tolerance. It also reinforced the values of giving and belonging among students, families, and the educational community. This season represented a strong launch for initiatives More comprehensive and sustainable in the future, and we thank all partners, educational institutions, parents and students for their active participation, as they contributed together to creating a distinguished experience for all members of society, and promoting the values of identity, tolerance, coexistence and respect for cultures.”

The community events organized by Furjan Dubai at the neighborhood level also contributed to transferring the traditions of the season to community environments throughout the emirate. Through events designed for families and neighborhood residents, including live “Bu Tbila” performances and programs inspired by cultural heritage, Furjan Dubai has contributed to enhancing the spirit of interconnectedness and rapprochement within the details of daily life in local communities.

Alia Al Shamlan, Director of Furjan Dubai, stressed the organization’s keenness to actively participate in the “Season of Love” activities, given the importance it represents in strengthening family ties and celebrating Emirati community and cultural events, which contributes to reviving local heritage and highlighting authentic Emirati values, in line with Dubai’s vision of consolidating its position as a global city that promotes tolerance, coexistence and respect for cultures.

She said that Furjan Dubai presented a variety of activities during the month of Ramadan, the most prominent of which was the “Little Freezer Trader” initiative, in cooperation with the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai and Dubai Municipality, in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God protect him), with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship among children, instilling the values ​​of self-reliance, and consolidating the spirit of cooperation and community communication.

She added that the Foundation also organized the “Boutabila” event in Hawi Nad Al Sheba, in cooperation with Dubai Police, to revive one of the heritage symbols associated with Ramadan customs and introduce them to new generations, noting the organization of the “Eidiya” distribution initiative during Eid al-Fitr in Al Barsha and Nad Al Hamar, where 300 Eid envelopes were distributed in a festive atmosphere that enhanced the values ​​of joy and community participation.

In this context, Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, Executive Director of the Corporate Administrative Support Sector at the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “The Authority is proud to participate in the Walafah Season, and to be part of the vibrant community scene that brings together the people of Dubai and its visitors in the holy month of Ramadan and during the Walafah Season. This participation comes in line with the emirate’s values ​​that celebrate its ancient cultural heritage, and is an embodiment of giving and togetherness in this holy month.”

Al Ali added: “The Authority was keen for its initiatives to be diverse and close to the community, as it organized an abra parade decorated with the slogan of the Welfa Season, and displayed the campaign’s slogan on smart screens and metro and tram panels to spread the atmosphere of the blessed month in the streets of the emirate, in addition to decorating iftar meals with the same slogan as part of the Authority’s ‘Bus of Charity’ initiative, so that the message of giving reaches those who are fasting, and reflects the spirit of cohesion between communities in Dubai.”
Community volunteer platforms and city services have also contributed to enabling residents who wish to participate in community contributions and play their role in society.

This coordination between government agencies and community institutions embodies the innovative model on which the initiative is based, far from being just a seasonal agenda of events in Dubai, providing comprehensive experiences for everyone in various parts of the emirate.
Thus, the “Season of Familiarity” emphasizes the role of close cooperation between various sectors to employ shared values ​​to leave a tangible societal impact throughout the year, thus enhancing Dubai’s position as a city that combines interconnected traditions and innovation.