Many Indian schools in Dubai will close on Monday and Tuesday to celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali.
Pupils at The Indian High group of schools and at the Delhi Private School Dubai will have two days off for the festival.
Classes will resume on Wednesday.
Many educational institutions declare a holiday every year to allow families time to mark the occasion in their homes.
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A diwali candle is lit during celebrations organised by residents of the Masakin Al Furjan community - known as the Gangs of Masakin - in Dubai. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Bhangra musical performers at the Diwali Dhamaal 2022 in Dubai. -
Joe Mohan, MC, leads the night's celebrations. -
Young boys perform on stage. -
A lady wins first prize for 'Best Dressed' at the Gangs of Masakin community. -
A young girl performs on stage. -
Young girls perform on stage. -
Family members take photos. -
Family members take photos.
Michael Guzder, vice president of Education at Gems, said the Indian schools in their group had announced a day off for Diwali, which falls on Monday.
“Popularly known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali sees families and friends meet and celebrate together," said Mr Guzder.
"As most Indian schools have just finished their term 1 examination, pupils and parents will spend the extended weekend relaxing, enjoying, visiting friends and celebrating the festival together."
Lalitha Suresh, principal at Gems Our Own Indian School, said: “Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in all Indian households with lights, sweets, new clothes, firecrackers and rangoli.
“At Gems Our Own Indian School, we celebrate Diwali a day before, when pupils come in colourful clothes and take part in special assemblies.
"The festive feel is palpable throughout the school as staff exchange home-made sweets and Diwali delicacies in the staff room.”
Sweet boxes are distributed to all staff at the school on the festive occasion.
Senior girls along with staff participate in an inter-house rangoli competition where they draw beautiful designs on the floor and fill them with coloured powder.
Punit MK Vasu, chief executive of The Indian High Group of Schools in Dubai said it will also be closed for two days next Monday and Tuesday.
"Diwali is one of the most anticipated celebratory events of the year where everyone across The Indian High Group of Schools looks forward to spending quality time with their near and dear ones in the true spirit of Diwali," Mr Vasu said.
"We have planned many activities based on the theme of light, knowledge and joy.
"Staff and students will participate in paper lanterns and crafts, rangoli making, dance and cooking competitions.
"All students and colleagues will come dressed in traditional attire with traditional songs played to further the festive spirit."
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Ruma shops for gifts at BurJuman Mall in Dubai ahead of Diwali. With Covid-19 curbs lifted in most places, five-day celebrations of the festival of lights are set to return in full force around the world. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A potter paints earthen lamps ahead of Diwali along a roadside in New Delhi. AFP -
A potter pours wax into earthen lamps used for Diwali in New Delhi. AFP -
For many, Diwali honours the Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi, with lights and lamps said to welcome her and bring prosperity. AFP -
A potter sells earthen lamps in New Delhi. AFP -
People looks at decorative ornaments on sale for Diwali in the Little India district of Singapore. AFP -
A vendor waits for customers selling cookies in Little India in Singapore. AFP -
A customer buys earthen lamps at the Kumbharwada potters' colony of Dharavi slums in Mumbai. AFP -
A Kashmiri potter arranges earthen lamps after he takes it out from an oven at his home on the outskirts of Srinagar. EPA -
Diwali symbolises the victory of good over evil, and also commemorates Ram's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing a 14-year exile. EPA -
An Indian artisan colours earthen lamps in Mumbai. AFP -
A potter paints earthen lamps in New Delhi. AFP -
A worker at a candle-making facility carries kettles to heat paraffin to make coloured candles in Kolkata. AFP -
A potter lays out earthen lamps on a tray in New Delhi. AFP -
Bhangra musical performers at the Diwali Dhamaal 2022 in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
An Indian worker cuts dried wicks used to make firecrackers at a factory on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. AP -
Fire crackers are in huge demand in India during Diwali. AP -
Abdul Salam Kumar, a Kashmiri Muslim potter, makes earthen lamps at his home on the outskirts of Srinagar. EPA -
A craftswoman paints diyas or earthen oil lamps in Amritsar. AFP -
Clay lamps being prepared in Amritsar. AFP -
BurJuman Mall in Dubai is hosting a Diwali Bazaar for the entire month of October. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The entrance to the BurJuman Diwali Bazaar. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Meeta, right, shops at BurJuman Mall's Diwali Bazaar. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Jypi Hhira shops for decorations at Diwali Bazaar in BurJuman Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People shop at a crowded market ahead of Diwali in the old quarters of Delhi. Reuters -
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan lights a candle during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London. PA Images -
Sadiq Khan places a garland on a statue of the Hindu deity Ganesh. PA Images -
Dancers perform during Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London. AP -
A drummer plays during Diwali on the Square celebration in London. PA Images -
Dancers perform in London. PA Images -
Predominantly a Hindu festival, Diwali is now celebrated around the world. PA Images -
An artisan works on clay idols of Hindu goddess Lakshmi at a workshop in Hyderabad. AFP -
Candles being made at a workshop inside the premises of Blind Relief Association in New Delhi. AFP -
Candles being packed inside the premises of Blind Relief Association in New Delhi. AFP -
Workers lay out firecrackers for drying at a workshop on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP -
Workers stack finished firecrackers at a workshop in Ahmedabad. AFP
