Sharjah To Host The 8th Edition Of Al Dhaid Date Festival In July

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced that the 8th edition of the "Al Dhaid Date Festival 2024" will be held from 25th to 28th July at Expo Al Dhaid. This event will gather numerous palm farmers from across the UAE.

During a press conference at Expo Al Dhaid, SCCI revealed that the total prize pool for this year's competitions exceeds AED800,000, to be awarded to 130 winners. The conference saw attendance from key figures including Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and Saeed bin Fadel Al Ketbi, Director of Al Wusta TV Channel.

The Organising Committee announced a new date competition for children called "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty," debuting in the UAE. This contest joins other main competitions like "Al Ratab Beauty," "Best Lemons," "Fig Contest," and "Most Beautiful Home-grown Dates" (for women). Awards range from AED1,000 to AED20,000 per winner.

Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, highlighted efforts to expand cultural, heritage, and educational activities. This year’s festival aims to engage diverse societal segments, including women and children.

Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi stated that the festival is a crucial economic, heritage, and social event in the UAE. It supports palm cultivation and preserves the cultural heritage of palm trees. The festival also provides opportunities for knowledge exchange among farmers, investors, and younger generations.

Al Awadi noted that last year's festival saw hundreds of palm farmers participating and a 25 percent increase in visitor turnout compared to 2022. He emphasised SCCI's commitment to maintaining these achievements and enhancing the festival's significance as a key seasonal platform.

Media Support and Tourism Promotion

Saeed bin Fadel Al Ketbi mentioned that Al Wusta Channel is a strategic partner of the festival. The channel provides extensive media support for the event’s new edition. He stressed that the festival is significant for tourism and promotion in Al Dhaid City.

Rashid Mohair Al Ketbi explained that this year’s festival features five main competitions: "Al Ratab Beauty," "Best Lemons," "Fig Contest," "Most Beautiful Home-grown Dates" (for women), and "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty" (for children). Participants must use locally produced dates from their own farms for these contests.

Competition Standards and Schedule

The organising committee has set specific standards for date competitions. Participants must present dates produced in the 2024 season with moisture content not exceeding 50 percent. They must also provide documents proving ownership of agricultural land when registering.

The festival will start on 25th July with the "Khneizi Dates Beauty Contest" and "Women's Makhrafa Dates Beauty Contest." The next day will feature the "Al-Khalas Dates Beauty Contest" and "Red Fig" Competition. On 27th July, there will be contests for "Shishi Dates," "Local Lemon," and "Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty" (for children). The final day will host the "General Elite Dates Beauty Contest" and "Rare Dates" competitions.

The event continues to grow each year, reflecting its importance in supporting local farmers and promoting cultural heritage. The inclusion of new competitions aims to engage more participants from different age groups.

With inputs from WAM