Hai Ramadan will start on March 3 to bring the community together, as it hosts an engaging celebration of the Holy Month with food, festivities, and activities. The festival will run for more than 50 days, beginning on March 3, the weekend prior to the UAE’s traditional celebration of Haq Al Laila, in preparation for the start of Ramadan two weeks later.
Amna Abulhoul, executive creative director – Expo City Dubai, said, “Just as Expo 2020 Dubai brought the world together once before, Expo City Dubai’s ‘Hai Ramadan’ will bring together different communities from all over during the Holy Month. We are excited that our visitors will be able to rejoice in some of the world’s most famous and well-known Ramadan traditions in a single destination.”
Visitors to Hai Ramadan will embark on a cultural journey where they will be able to exchange distinctive experiences from all over the Islamic world. Visitors will also have the chance to sample a variety of foods and beverages as they break their fast and enjoy a meal with family and friends during Ramadan, from regional cuisine to international food culture and street food.
Worshippers will have access to a dedicated mosque on site for all prayers, including Isha and the later Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers. After the Taraweeh prayer, storytellers will evoke the ancient Arab art of Hakawati – narrating folktales and stories of adventure, culture, religion and morality.
Misaharati – classic Ramadan figures who would wake up their communities with drumming and singing, traditionally before dawn, to drink water and partake in Suhoor – will celebrate the experience of this age-old tradition throughout the day.
The event will take place from 4pm to 10am in the run-up to Ramadan, and from 5pm to 2am during Ramadan with free entry. The full schedule of events is yet to be published.