A man and his child light candles outside his shop during Diwali celebrations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by all Hindus around the world. AP
A man and his child light candles outside his shop during Diwali celebrations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by all Hindus around the world. AP
Family members play with firecrackers in Kathmandu. Diwali is known as the Tihar festival in Nepal. EPA
Family members play with firecrackers in Kathmandu. Diwali is known as the Tihar festival in Nepal. EPA
Children light firecrackers in Kathmandu. AP
Children light firecrackers in Kathmandu. AP
A vendor untangles decorative lights at a shop in Kathmandu. AP
A vendor untangles decorative lights at a shop in Kathmandu. AP
Sawantri, 40, helps her son to wave a burning sparkler during Diwali celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan. Reuters
Sawantri, 40, helps her son to wave a burning sparkler during Diwali celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan. Reuters
A man lights a firecracker in Karachi. Reuters
A man lights a firecracker in Karachi. Reuters
Oil lamps are lit at a home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to celebrate Diwali. EPA
Oil lamps are lit at a home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to celebrate Diwali. EPA
A girl poses with a mural made out of coloured powder outside her home in Karachi. Reuters
A girl poses with a mural made out of coloured powder outside her home in Karachi. Reuters
Indians light firecrackers as they celebrate Diwali in Dubai's Bur Dubai district. AFP
Indians light firecrackers as they celebrate Diwali in Dubai's Bur Dubai district. AFP
Fireworks light the sky above a decorated building in Bur Dubai. AFP
Fireworks light the sky above a decorated building in Bur Dubai. AFP
Pakistani Hindus light firecrackers in Karachi. AFP
Pakistani Hindus light firecrackers in Karachi. AFP
Diwali decorations at the Praveen residence in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
Diwali decorations at the Praveen residence in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
A young woman lights a firecracker as she celebrates Diwali in Karachi. AFP
A young woman lights a firecracker as she celebrates Diwali in Karachi. AFP
A woman lights an oil lamp in Bengaluru, India. EPA
A woman lights an oil lamp in Bengaluru, India. EPA
People set off firecrackers in Bengaluru. EPA
People set off firecrackers in Bengaluru. EPA
Indians light firecrackers near New Delhi. EPA
Indians light firecrackers near New Delhi. EPA
A boy prays at a Hindu temple in Sukkur, Pakistan, during Diwali. AP
A boy prays at a Hindu temple in Sukkur, Pakistan, during Diwali. AP
People light lamps on the banks of the river Saryu in Ayodhya, India. AP
People light lamps on the banks of the river Saryu in Ayodhya, India. AP
More lamps on the banks of river Sarayu in Ayodhya. AFP
More lamps on the banks of river Sarayu in Ayodhya. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the 'Deepotsav' event in Ayodhya. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the 'Deepotsav' event in Ayodhya. AFP
Family members of Rajasthan police personnel burn firecrackers in Ajmer, India. AFP
Family members of Rajasthan police personnel burn firecrackers in Ajmer, India. AFP
Mr Modi, right, inaugurates the 'Deepotsav' event as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath watches. AFP
Mr Modi, right, inaugurates the 'Deepotsav' event as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath watches. AFP
Children watch firecrackers being lit on the eve of Diwali at an orphanage in Jammu, India. AP
Children watch firecrackers being lit on the eve of Diwali at an orphanage in Jammu, India. AP
People make a formation of Hindu god Lord Ram, with 3,000 earthen lamps in Chandigarh, India. AFP
People make a formation of Hindu god Lord Ram, with 3,000 earthen lamps in Chandigarh, India. AFP
People crowd at a market on the eve of Diwali in Bangalore. AFP
People crowd at a market on the eve of Diwali in Bangalore. AFP
A customer browses jewellery at a shop ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Bloomberg
A customer browses jewellery at a shop ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Bloomberg
A flower market in Bangalore. AFP
A flower market in Bangalore. AFP
A saleswoman helps a customer try various pieces of jewellery at a shop in New Delhi. Bloomberg
A saleswoman helps a customer try various pieces of jewellery at a shop in New Delhi. Bloomberg
People shop in Mumbai ahead of Diwali, one of Hinduism's most important festivals, dedicated to the worship of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. AP
People shop in Mumbai ahead of Diwali, one of Hinduism's most important festivals, dedicated to the worship of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. AP
Shoppers buy stainless steel utensils at a marketplace in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi. Bloomberg
Shoppers buy stainless steel utensils at a marketplace in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi. Bloomberg
Hindus pray during Diwali at the temple in Dubai. AP
Hindus pray during Diwali at the temple in Dubai. AP
A vendor sells decorative lights ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Indian shoppers are back in force online and in stores, splurging this festive season. Bloomberg
A vendor sells decorative lights ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Indian shoppers are back in force online and in stores, splurging this festive season. Bloomberg
A customer buys Diwali lights in New Delhi. In the previous two years, the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed celebrations. Bloomberg
A customer buys Diwali lights in New Delhi. In the previous two years, the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed celebrations. Bloomberg
Dancers perform at the Indian Consulate in Dubai. AP
Dancers perform at the Indian Consulate in Dubai. AP
A vendor at a kiosk in New Delhi. Bloomberg
A vendor at a kiosk in New Delhi. Bloomberg
A woman picks marigolds, used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them at a market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters
A woman picks marigolds, used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them at a market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters
An Indian shopkeeper arranges earthen oil lamps for sale ahead of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Bangalore, India. EPA
An Indian shopkeeper arranges earthen oil lamps for sale ahead of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Bangalore, India. EPA
A woman looks at decorative items and crackers offered at a market stand ahead of Diwali in Bangalore. EPA
A woman looks at decorative items and crackers offered at a market stand ahead of Diwali in Bangalore. EPA
A child wearing make-up while asking for alms from passers-by at a market area ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. AFP
A child wearing make-up while asking for alms from passers-by at a market area ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. AFP
A female customer takes off a gold necklace after trying it at a Senco Gold & Diamonds jewellery showroom before Diwali in Mumbai. AFP
A female customer takes off a gold necklace after trying it at a Senco Gold & Diamonds jewellery showroom before Diwali in Mumbai. AFP
People buy firecrackers on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Amritsar. AFP
People buy firecrackers on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Amritsar. AFP
A farmer cultivates lotus flowers in a reservoir in Bhopal ahead of Diwali. AFP
A farmer cultivates lotus flowers in a reservoir in Bhopal ahead of Diwali. AFP
A woman shops for fancy jewellery in Chennai. AFP
A woman shops for fancy jewellery in Chennai. AFP
Inside the Bikanervala Sweet Factory in Dubai Investment Park that is preparing for the Diwali rush on Indian Sweets. Antonie Robertson/The National
Inside the Bikanervala Sweet Factory in Dubai Investment Park that is preparing for the Diwali rush on Indian Sweets. Antonie Robertson/The National
Prgati Grover prepares for the Diwali celebration at her home in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Prgati Grover prepares for the Diwali celebration at her home in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

UAE

Government

UAE leaders congratulate those celebrating Diwali

Five-day festival of lights started on Monday

The National

October 24, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

UAE leaders have congratulated all those who are celebrating Diwali.

Homes and balconies across the Emirates are decked out with strings of lights and flowers this week in honour of the five-day festival of lights, which started on Monday.

President Sheikh Mohamed wished those who are celebrating the festival a peaceful and prosperous year ahead.

"Congratulations to all of those in the UAE and around the world celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, and may the year ahead be one of peace, prosperity and happiness for you and your families," he said, writing on Twitter, with the message also posted in Arabic and Hindi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also congratulated those celebrating this year and wished them a happy festival.

"On the behalf of the people of the UAE, we congratulate all those who celebrate Diwali. Wishing them a happy festival," he said on Twitter.

Symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, Diwali usually falls in the early autumn, coinciding with the new moon, deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar.

Predominantly a Hindu festival, others who mark the occasion include Jains and Sikhs, while some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali.

Dubai residents start Diwali early with colourful celebrations - in pictures

The Grovers celebrate Diwali as a family in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The Grovers celebrate Diwali as a family in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Lighting and rangoli decorations for Diwali at Anil Grover's house in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Lighting and rangoli decorations for Diwali at Anil Grover's house in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The Grover family. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The Grover family. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
From left, Sanjay Grover, Sarla Grover, Sohan Grover, Prgati Grover and Anil Grover. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
From left, Sanjay Grover, Sarla Grover, Sohan Grover, Prgati Grover and Anil Grover. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Lighting and rangoli decorations at the Grover residence. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Lighting and rangoli decorations at the Grover residence. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Prgati Grover lights the candles for Diwali. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Prgati Grover lights the candles for Diwali. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Diwali decor at a residence in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Diwali decor at a residence in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Snehal Gagwani, an Indian resident in Dubai, decorated her home with flowers and lights for Diwali. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Snehal Gagwani, an Indian resident in Dubai, decorated her home with flowers and lights for Diwali. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Ms Gagwani adds the finishing touches to her decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Ms Gagwani adds the finishing touches to her decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Younger members of the Gagwani family enjoyed the decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Younger members of the Gagwani family enjoyed the decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Snehal Gagwani is an Indian resident of Dubai. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Snehal Gagwani is an Indian resident of Dubai. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Lighting candles. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Lighting candles. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Snehal Gagwani with her family. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
Snehal Gagwani with her family. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.

Eliminated after second session

11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.

Eliminated after first session

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.

Updated: October 24, 2022, 4:00 PM
Sheikh Mohamed bin ZayedSheikh Mohammed bin RashidIndiaUAE