Dubai Launches Season of Wulfa to Celebrate Emirati Values

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has launched the Season of Wulfa, a new cultural initiative aimed at celebrating Emirati traditions, values, and community spirit.

The initiative is designed to highlight Dubai’s rich heritage, strengthen social bonds, and reinforce the emirate’s position as a global destination that promotes tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect among cultures. As directed by Sheikh Hamdan, the Season of Wulfa will be led and overseen by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and will feature a wide range of cultural, social, and community-focused activities throughout the season.

A Season Rooted in Heritage and Spiritual Values

Heritage in the UAE is deeply connected to spiritual values, community ties, local customs, and hospitality. Reflecting this spirit, the Season of Wulfa will run from Hag Al Leila on the 15th of Sha‘ban, through the Holy Month of Ramadan, and continue into Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

These occasions represent some of the most meaningful moments in the cultural and spiritual calendar of the UAE. The initiative brings them together under one umbrella to celebrate traditions that have shaped Emirati society for generations.

The Season of Wulfa is built around three core pillars: reflection, connection, and blessing. Each pillar is expressed through customs and practices that carry deep social and spiritual meaning, helping to foster harmony, strengthen relationships, and bring communities closer together.

Strengthening Belonging and Cultural Identity

The initiative places strong emphasis on preserving time-honoured traditions while also presenting them in ways that resonate with today’s society. It seeks to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage, strengthen the sense of belonging among different segments of the community, and support programmes that highlight the role of culture in building a cohesive and compassionate society.

A Citywide Celebration with Public and Private Partners

The Season of Wulfa will feature more than 50 initiatives and events across over 30 locations in Dubai, including neighbourhoods, markets, and major cultural destinations. The programme will be delivered in collaboration with government entities, the private sector, and local communities.

Together, these efforts will create a vibrant cultural and humanitarian platform that welcomes citizens, residents, and visitors from around the world, encouraging cultural exchange while celebrating shared human values and deep-rooted traditions.

Sheikh Hamdan: Preserving Values Brings Society Closer

Sheikh Hamdan stressed the importance of supporting creative ideas and initiatives that bring people closer to their values, identity, and community.

“This initiative celebrates the UAE’s community spirit while preserving our cultural heritage,” he said. “It strengthens the sense of belonging and harmony, builds cultural bridges, and reinforces the cohesive spirit that forms the foundation of a strong society. Our goal is to bring people closer and encourage deeper personal and social connections.”

He added that a society’s strength lies in its ability to preserve its living memory and pass on its values to future generations in ways that suit the present time. The Season of Wulfa, he noted, creates a space where the past meets the present, turning traditions into meaningful experiences that inspire participation, raise awareness, and deepen responsibility towards protecting cultural identity.

Sheikha Latifa: A Celebration of Shared Values and Human Connection

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed said that the occasions included in the Season of Wulfa — Hag Al Leila, Ramadan, and the two Eids — are deeply rooted in humanitarian values that encourage positive interaction and harmonious coexistence.

She explained that the season focuses on building bonds and creating warm, shared moments that reflect the true spirit of Emirati culture, blending rich heritage with contemporary creativity through innovative and engaging experiences.

“Dubai has always placed cultural and social heritage at the heart of its priorities,” she said. “This heritage reflects our collective history and forms the foundation for shaping the future. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has become a model of cultural harmony and a meeting point for nearly 200 nationalities who live and contribute to the emirate’s story.”

She added that the Season of Wulfa further strengthens Dubai’s position as a global model for coexistence, tolerance, and harmony. Through its three pillars — reflection, connection, and blessing — the initiative expresses the essence of human values, cultural depth, and authentic traditions.

Inspiring the Present and Future Generations

The season also aims to offer opportunities for creatives and talented individuals to share their ideas and perspectives through celebrations that carry a universal message of tolerance and understanding. The programme will include innovative, multi-sensory cultural experiences that combine heritage, spiritual values, community bonds, and modern lifestyles rooted in local customs and hospitality.

These experiences reflect the true meaning of Wulfa — familiarity, closeness, and community — and are designed to strengthen social ties while presenting Emirati heritage to future generations in meaningful and engaging ways.

What ‘Wulfa’ Means

The word Wulfa comes from the classical Arabic term ‘Ulfa’, which means familiarity and affection. In the UAE and across parts of the Arab world, Wulfa is commonly used to describe closeness, comfort, and a warm sense of connection between people — a meaning that perfectly captures the spirit and purpose of this new season-long initiative.

With the launch of the Season of Wulfa, Dubai adds another important chapter to its cultural calendar, celebrating its roots while continuing to build bridges between people, communities, and cultures.