Ras Al Khaimah: Bringing together an atmosphere of culture, tradition and desert fun, the annual Awafi Festival in Ras Al Khaimah is attracting a large number of visitors to its heritage village this year, while participants from across the UAE and GCC countries gear up for its sand drag race taking place on Friday.
Organised by the Emirates Car & Motorcycle Racing Club, the event will gather professional drivers participating in a sand drag race from 4-7pm on Friday. “The race is very organised and follows specific rules and procedures, gathering drivers from across the Gulf,” said Faisal Mattar, coordinator of the Awafi Festival.
In the Awafi desert area of Ras Al Khaimah, the sand event includes a large heritage village which is divided into several smaller villages each representing a cultural aspect of the UAE. One area includes a section selling traditional handicrafts and Emirati foods. Other sections include a coastal village, a mountain village, and a culture village which represent the unique traditions of Ras Al Khaimah and life in the desert, added Mattar.
Ras Al Khaimah Police have also intensified security in the area for the festival by increasing surveillance and placing a set of traffic rules to ensure the safety of visitors and tourists.
According to orders from Maj Gen Shaikh Talib Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Commander of Ras Al Khaimah Police, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Khatri, head of the security committee of the Awafi Festival in Ras Al Khaimah, said that around 20 police watch cars will patrol the area daily.
Two ambulances along with four ambulance motorbikes will also be available at the event to ensure immediate aid in the case of any accidents, he added. The increased security will also prevent inappropriate behaviours that do not comply with UAE cultural values.
The desert festival which is sponsored by etisalat, started on 14 December 14 and will continue until January 5, 2013.
