Sharjah: “The Gulf”
The activities of the eighth edition of the Al Dhaid Dates Festival 2024, organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concluded yesterday, Sunday at the Al Dhaid Expo Center, witnessed the outstanding participation of more than 40 productive families. handicrafts, handicrafts and innovative products made from palm leaves, turning the festive corridors into a heritage platform to celebrate the Palm and the professions of our forefathers.
The pavilion designated for productive families, which participated with the support of the Department of Social Services of the Central Region, had a large turnout of visitors to see the products presented by the families, including products dependent on palm trees, lambs, among others. snacks, and myths, in addition to handicrafts and popular Emirati dishes such as hare, biryani and machboos in addition to the distinctive Emirati spices, Arabic coffee with its distinctive blends and natural honey.
Muhammad Musabah Al-Tunaiji, the main coordinator of the festival, emphasized that increasing the participation of productive families in the event came out of the obligation of social responsibility and the desire to promote sustainable development and support entrepreneurship, empowering the local community. supporting and developing domestic projects, believing in the importance of these projects to achieve sustainable development for society.
He added that the festival helps to preserve the local heritage and highlight local products and traditions, through the participation of productive families, to help in the economic and social empowerment of women, who have had the opportunity to show and market the traditional products and crafts used by the participants. to highlight what the palm leaves can offer within a wider vision of the festival. The benefits of palm trees are not limited to the best dates they produce in the Emirates and the region, but also include the various uses of the fronds. the income they provide to families from the sale of their distinctive products.
Among the families that participated, “Umm Ahmed Honey” was created, in 1998 it started its project to produce organic honey and to ensure that the bees are fed from the home garden, it has 12 bee boxes, which guarantees sustainability in the production of natural honey, to be marketed throughout the year.
For her part, Moza Al-Yamahi (Umm Ali), the owner of the “Bint Al-Dar” project, explained that she works in traditional handicrafts and handicrafts related to palm trees to make products that are accepted by the community, such as as makharif, mazmah, mujba, sardoon, mahfa, sword and myth.
The Basmat Heritage Foundation, owned by Sheikha Al-Wali, is participating in the festival and produces traditional handicrafts from palm leaves that families use as home accessories, in addition to popular dishes.
The Family Producers Pavilion witnessed the first participation of some families in addition to the regular participation, which attracted the attention of festival visitors and those looking for heritage-inspired handicrafts and accessories made from palm leaves.
