ABU DHABI // Hundreds of residents in Abu Dhabi turned up at a cultural Ramadan event organised in the capital for after hours.
Ramadan Abu Dhabi, which kicked off at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on July 9, gathered residents post-iftar to take part in activities that included cooking, work-outs and handicrafts.
“I heard from friends that it was good for children to get space to play and spend quality time together,” said Asad Zaman, a Bangladeshi who came from Dubai with his two nephews, aged eight and six, and his niece, aged four.
“Especially in this kind of place, it’s indoors but still really good this time of the year because it’s really hot outside so children have some space to get physical.
“This kind of exhibition should always be done over the summer.”
Mr Zaman, who has lived in Dubai for the past 18 years, said Abu Dhabi was now starting to offer more to its residents.
“People always say that Dubai has all the activities, but this is something new and after 18 years, we’ve done everything there,” Mr Zaman said. “During this time, the children spend a lot of time sleeping in the morning and then, after iftar, we hang out in malls, so this is a good substitute to malls. This venue has football, for instance, so you really feel fresh and active.”
From a cultural corner with dates, handicrafts, traditional food, henna and storytelling by seven Emirati women, to a fanzone and two football pitches, the event had a full agenda in place.
“It’s a good atmosphere and it helps because people can change and have a look around at many different shops,” said Hanadi Al Khatib, a 21-year-old from Jordan who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 20 years.
“It’s different to our everyday lives during Ramadan and it’s the first time my mum and I attended such an event. Most places people go to during Ramadan are mosques and coffee shops, so this is something different and something new.”
The women were clothes shopping in preparation for their upcoming holiday. “We’re interested in the clothes but we were happily surprised when we saw there were other activities so we will definitely be going around and participating in other things,” she said.
The event included a theatre with Ramadan talks, such as the benefits of quitting smoking, the dangers of texting while driving and of passive smoking. A women’s fitness studio was available with classes in body combat, yoga, tabata and zumba.
“I came with my sister because she works in the Sogha shop of handmade bags, so I came to support her,” said Mariam Mohammed, a 15-year-old Emirati. “It’s a nice place to come to after iftar and I really enjoy it.”
She said she hoped to come back with more friends.
“I’ll definitely take part in the activities and I really think Abu Dhabi should have more places like this, especially during Ramadan and in this heat,” she said.
Visitors also enjoyed food and drinks from a karak stand, a popular tea among Emiratis.
“We thought to come after iftar and it’s a really nice venue with lots of cultural and heritage activities which represent the UAE,” said Meesam Raza, from Pakistan. “It’s a good place to have after iftar because people are used to going to malls, so this is nice way to spend your time off after iftar.”
A Matrix ring game was on display with 60 cameras to take a 360 degree-shot of visitors, who could then email it to themselves. “Most people who visit are families, but this game attracts the youngest ones who strike poses for the cameras,” said Hamza Hashmi, who works in technical support for the game. “You can tell that people really enjoy coming here and spending their evenings.”
The event, which ends on July 19, starts at 9pm every evening and ends at 1am.
Most nights include a football tournament and the venue will show the World Cup final tonight.
