Souq Al Jubail Seventh Annual Dates Festival in Sharjah - in pictures
Dates devotees are flocking to Sharjah for an annual celebration of the UAE's most beloved fruit. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Held at the Souq Al Jubail, a project of Sharjah Asset Management Company, the investment arm of the Sharjah government, the festival showcases freshly harvested produce - including these sultana dates.
Vendor Ali Malbari perfects his display at Souq Al Jubail Seventh Annual Dates Festival.
Mohammed Ashraf shows some of his produce. He calls the Khalas variety 'the king of dates, as it is the most popular'.
Varieties on display include Nagal, Khneizi, Bu Maan, Khalas, Khadrawi, Barhi, Lulu, Shishi, Asaba Al Arous, Bu Jibal and Ain Baqr.
A customer examines a fresh date at the Souq Al Jubail Seventh Annual Dates Festival.
Vendor Mohammed Haneefa displays his stock. Dates at the festival are carefully prepared by hand, without any chemicals being used.
Most of the dates at the festival are fresh from local farms, plus some from neighbouring Oman.
Vendor Ibrahim Abdulrahman in front of his stock. Dates are a symbol of hospitality in the UAE.
They are a traditional feature of iftar meals during Ramadan and are given as gifts.
Also a traditional accompaniment to coffee, dates are very much part of the UAE’s cultural fabric.
Souq Al Jubail Seventh Annual Dates Festival in Sharjah continues until the end of September - when the date season finishes.
