Gate of Sudan Festival Highlights Cultural Unity in Dubai

Photo: WAM

The Gate of Sudan Festival, held today at Expo City Dubai, became a lively celebration of Sudanese heritage, bringing together people from different nationalities to enjoy the rich culture of Sudan in the heart of the UAE.

Amin Gafar, Head of the Sudanese Diaspora in the UAE, shared that the festival is a strong example of how deep the connection is between the Sudanese and Emirati people. He said the event gave the Sudanese community a chance to proudly share their culture with others and show their long-standing presence in the UAE, which started even before the country was officially formed.

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“We are happy to see our community taking part in such an important event,” Gafar said in a statement. “The Sudanese people have always had a close relationship with the UAE. Over the years, we have been part of the country’s social and cultural life.”

He also spoke about how strong the Sudanese community is in the UAE. Many Emiratis are familiar with Sudanese traditions and often travel to Sudan to learn more about the country’s cities, food, and way of life. Gafar said this two-way cultural exchange shows how much the two nations respect and value each other.

Sudan is known for its wide cultural variety, he added. The country is home to more than 400 tribes and over 140 languages. This mix of cultures, Gafar explained, is not a weakness but a strength that adds to Sudan’s unique identity and history.

Gafar also highlighted the work of the Sudanese Social Club, which was started in 1974. It was the first official club for Sudanese people living in the UAE. Now, the club has grown and has six branches across the Emirates. He thanked the UAE’s leaders for their continued support, which has helped the Sudanese community grow stronger and maintain their cultural traditions.

Ahmed Hamrawi, founder of the "Emirates Loves Sudan" platform and the main organizer of the festival, said the event was designed to bring people together. “This festival helps build new friendships between the Sudanese, the Emirati people, and other nationalities living in the UAE,” he said.

Hamrawi shared that people were very excited about the event, even before full details were shared online. He said this showed how proud the Sudanese community is of its culture and how eager they are to take part in such events.

The festival featured a range of performances that highlighted Sudan’s music and arts. Popular Sudanese singer Nancy Agag performed for the audience, along with the Marsimba Band, which combines traditional Sudanese music with modern Afrobeats. Dr. Omar Al Amin, a Sudanese artist born and raised in the UAE, also joined the celebration with cultural and folkloric performances.

The Emirati community also participated in the event. Media personality Abdullah Ismail and Emirati artist Tareq Al Menhali performed a traditional Sudanese song from the western part of the country. Their performance was a beautiful symbol of the strong friendship and shared respect between the two nations.

The Gate of Sudan Festival was not just a celebration—it was a reminder of the long history, deep connections, and cultural richness shared between Sudan and the UAE.