Dubai: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended a significant celebration of the Iraqi community’s cultural heritage at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. The event was graced by Dr. Muzafar Mustafa Al Jabouri, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the UAE, along with diplomats and leaders from the Iraqi community in the UAE. More than 15,000 attendees, primarily from the Iraqi community, gathered to partake in the festivities.
According to Emirates News Agency, the celebration was organized by the social platform ‘UAE Loves Iraq’ and offered a window into Iraq’s rich history, arts, and traditions. It emphasized the strong cultural and historical bonds between the UAE and Iraq, while showcasing the talents and vibrancy of the Iraqi community in the UAE. The event also served to strengthen social ties and celebrate the enduring friendship between the two countries.
In his address, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak highlighted the robust ties between the nations and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to enhancing these relations. He expressed appreciation for Iraq’s cultural contributions to human civilization and emphasized the UAE’s commitment to culture and heritage under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Nahyan praised the Iraqi community for their contributions to the UAE’s development and invited them to participate in the ‘Our Life in the UAE’ writing competition, celebrating the Year of the Community. The event featured traditional music, folk dances, art exhibitions, and Iraqi cuisine, providing a family-friendly atmosphere enhanced by the Dubai Exhibition Centre’s advanced facilities.
Distinguished members of the Iraqi community were honored for their contributions, including Dr. Ahmed Al-Kubaisi, Dr. Muthanna Abdul Razzaq Al Jabouri, and others. The celebration underscored the UAE’s role as a model society promoting coexistence and collaboration.
The UAE and Iraq share a solid historical relationship, marked by shared language and culture, which is reflected in their productive cooperation across various sectors. The UAE ranks as one of Iraq’s leading trading partners, with a significant increase in non-oil exports to Iraq in the first half of 2024. The recent UAE-Iraq Business Forum in Dubai further cemented this relationship, with numerous companies and bilateral meetings highlighting economic collaboration.
