UAE | Heritage and Culture
Mirfa Festival attracts huge crowd
Emirati women in Al Gharbia (western region) found a new opportunity for social and economic empowerment, thanks to a five-day local festival, conducted by students as part of national day celebrations.
- By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:25 December 2, 2008
- A 50-metre long national flag unveiled during the inaugural ceremony of Mirfa Festival at Mirfa Public Park, organised by students of Madinat Zayed Colleges of Technology.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Emirati women in Al Gharbia (western region) found a new opportunity for social and economic empowerment, thanks to a five-day local festival, conducted by students as part of national day celebrations.
"Mirfa Festival provides women the opportunity to do business and make good social contacts," Asma Naser, one of the organisers told Gulf News.
National women who prepare traditional food items have set up stalls to sell their products. "As most of the days they are confined to their own homes, the women get a good opportunity to interact with local community during the festival. Crowded stalls are a testimony that they're earning good income which will be used to support their Eid celebrations next week," said Fatima on the sidelines of the festival, taking place at the Mirfa Public Park.
The event has been organised by female Emirati students, studying for Business Application Diploma at Madinat Zayed Colleges of Technology (HCT).
"The region does not have many entertainment options during festival season and most of the people always travel about 200 kilometres to Abu Dhabi," said Fatima Sulaih Al Masroiu, a volunteer. "So people really appreciate a local festival here and everyone extended possible help to organise it." The sponsors of the fest include Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), Takreer, Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Police.
Dr Philip Quirke, Director of Madinat Zayed Colleges of Technology inaugurated the festival on Monday evening. He said that last year about 12,000 people attended the festival and hoped that "the number would doubled this year."
About one hundred people including men, women and children were excited to lend a hand to carry a 50 metre long UAE flag during the inaugural ceremony, accompanied by a Police band. The visitors cheered as people marched around the park in a colourful procession, carrying the flag. "The Family Development Foundation group in Mirfa designed the huge flag," said Mariam Ali Saif.
Yaw Busia, a business teacher at HCT said about 2,300 people attended the first day of the festival. Many prizes are also up for grabs during the festival. "Visitors can win a quad bike and 20 mobile phones on a raffle on entry tickets," he said.
Prominent Saudi and Emirati poets like Abu Naser, Mohammad Bin Suwailah, Mohammad Salem Al Mazroui and Mohammad Al Yafee recited their poems on Tuesday evening. A popular Emirati singer, Faisal Al Jasem entertained the audience.
"Hibban, a local band and Syrian bands playing traditional songs will be the major attraction today evening. A canine show of police dogs will be held at 4:30 pm on Thursday," said Asma.
The festival originated from a discussion on a charity project of business students, said Busia.
"They wanted to make money for charity instead of doing a project on paper. Last year, we made about Dh24,000 profit which was used for charity and we expect more this year," she added.
Diary: Order of events
- Mirfa Festival at Mirfa Public Park.
- Date: From December 1 to 5, Time: From 3pm till 12 Midnight Entry tickets: Dh5 (Adults) and Dh3 (Children)
- Programme: Traditional music and dance everyday.
- Special events: Wednesday
- Hibban (Local band) and Syrian Band
- Thursday Canine Show (of police dogs) at 4.30pm.
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