Arab, foreign ambassadors tour Al Dhafra attractions
The tour included avisittothe t r adit ional souk, which includes a number of shops displaying traditional pr oduct s and t ools
Upon an invitation of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, a delegation of Arab and foreign ambassadors to the UAE visited a number of heritage and tourism atractions and events in the Al Dhafra region.
The delegation started the visit with a tour of the Shams 1 Solar Plant at Madinat Zayed, which is the largest renewable energy plant in the Middle East, with a production capacity of 100 megawats.
The delegation also toured the 16th Al Dhafra Festival, which is being held at Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra Region, where they were received by Nasser Mohamed Matar Al Mansoori,
Under-secretary of the Court of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Director of the Festival and Director of the Planning and Projects Administration of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Commitee - Abu Dhabi, and a number of officials from the Court of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. The delegation visited the main plaform for camel mazayna activities and learned about its standards and evaluation system.
The tour included a visit to the traditional souk, which includes a number of shops displaying traditional products and tools, as well as handicrats made of clay, wood, palm fronds and various types of traditional food.
The delegation concluded its tour by visiting the Qasr Al Sarab Resort, which is located deep in the desert of Al Dhafra region, witnessed a number of folk activities and sports, and learned about elements of Emirati heritage that the resort houses.
The ambassadors expressed their delight at visiting the Al Dhafra Festival and learning about the UAE’S heritage and handicrats, lauding the country’s efforts to keep its heritage alive, which demonstrates the people’s pride in their national identity.
They also thanked Sheikh Hamdan, and commended his support of heritage and cultural events and the warm hospitality that the people of Al Dhafra showed them.
Recently, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, issued directives to add eight rounds to the camel mazayna of Al Dhafra Festival, which is held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and followup of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
This decision reflects the keenness of the wise leadership to preserve heritage and support camel owners, encouraging them to raise and acquire the best breeds, as well as to enable more UAE and GCC nationals to participate in Al Dhafra Festival.
Sheikh Mansour directed that eight rounds be added to the Mafareed and Haqayeq camel contests, within the categories of local Al Majaheem in the closing mazayna of the 16th Al Dhafra Festival, taking place from 22nd January to 2nd February 2023.
The total number of rounds will reach 101, with a total of 947 awards valued at Dhs53.2 million.
With this increase, the total number of rounds for local camels will be 42, with 39 for Al Majaheem, six for hybrid camels, six for Wadh camels, and six rounds for Al Mahaleb camels, in addition to two Bayraq Al Emirates awards valued at Dhs6 million for the local and Majaheem categories.