Dubai Dates fest: Sheikh Hamdan grants Dh1 million to support UAE heritage

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited the Dubai Dates exhibition, organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center.

During the visit, His Highness toured various pavilions showcasing the UAE’s treasured date palm culture and issued directives to allocate Dh1 million in support of the festival’s participants.

The Dh1 million grant aims to recognise and reward efforts to promote the UAE’s cultural and agricultural traditions. Sheikh Hamdan’s visit underlined his commitment to initiatives that safeguard and celebrate Emirati heritage.

He was accompanied by Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, CEO of the Heritage Center, along with departmental directors, who briefed him on various elements of the festival, including displays on the cultural, social, and economic importance of date palms.

Bin Dalmook expressed his appreciation for Sheikh Hamdan’s continued support, describing the grant as part of a leadership tradition dedicated to preserving national identity.

“His Highness’s generous grant is not new—it’s part of a lasting commitment to heritage. It energises all participants and gives direction to the Center’s work,” said bin Dalmook.

Highlighting the date palm’s symbolic role in Emirati culture, bin Dalmook added: “The leadership’s presence confirms their dedication to preserving this legacy in its most authentic form. Our mission at the Center continues—rooted in the past, but with a forward-looking vision.”

The Dubai Dates exhibition remains a powerful platform to showcase the UAE’s rich traditions and pass them on to future generations.