More than 15,000 people gathered at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on Saturday for the second edition of Emirates Loves Iraq, an event celebrating Iraqi culture and heritage. The occasion featured a range of installations inspired by historic Iraqi landmarks, traditional cuisine, and live performances, attracting visitors from various nationalities.
The event aimed to provide Iraqi expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates with an opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots, engage with fellow countrymen, and share their traditions with the broader community. The gathering was also designed to offer non-Iraqi attendees an immersive introduction to Iraq’s history and cultural contributions.
Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the event alongside Samer Salman Abed, acting consul-general of Iraq in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Representatives from diplomatic, business, cultural, and social sectors were also present. In his remarks, Sheikh Nahyan emphasized the strong ties between the UAE and Iraq, highlighting the values of coexistence, brotherhood, and humanity that underpin the relationship between the two nations.
The event featured an entrance styled after the historic Ishtar Gate and a recreation of Al Mutanabbi Street, a renowned literary and cultural hub in Baghdad. These installations were part of an effort led by Rashed Al Tamimi, director of Emirates Loves, to craft a more inclusive and engaging experience than the inaugural edition of the event. Al Tamimi noted that the celebration was intended both for Iraqis to relive and celebrate their heritage and for visitors of other backgrounds to discover Iraqi culture.
Entertainment included live performances by singers Rahma Riad and Mahmoud Al Turki, along with contributions from content creators Loay Sahi, Mina Al Shaikhly, and Zainab Al Eqabi. The event also recognized Iraqi residents in the UAE who have made significant contributions across various fields.
Al Eqabi, a social media influencer who has lived in the UAE for 26 years, described the event as a valuable platform to share Iraqi traditions and foster a greater appreciation of the country’s culture among younger generations. Visitors such as Abdulla Ameen, a doctor residing in the UAE for over two decades, highlighted the warm, familial atmosphere the gathering created, while students like Ritaj Al Makawi and Islam Ajlan expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to experience Iraqi culture firsthand.
Al Tamimi underlined the importance of community-level interactions in strengthening the ties between nations. “Relations between countries don’t thrive only on a political level, but also on a community level,” he said, noting that the event served as a venue where diplomats, artists, community members, and youth could come together to celebrate Iraq within the UAE’s multicultural environment.