Sudanese community in UAE celebrates Sudan Day with vibrant cultural festival

Expo City Dubai buzzed with energy as thousands of Sudanese expatriates converged to celebrate Sudan Day, an event many described as feeling like 'Eid before Eid' ahead of the upcoming Eid Al Adha. The gathering, organized by Emirates Loves Sudan, transformed Expo City's halls into a vibrant showcase of Sudanese culture, drawing nearly 20,000 attendees from across the UAE.

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For us, this really feels like Eid before Eid. You meet people from your country, eat your traditional food, listen to music and wear your cultural clothes. For a few hours, it feels like you are back home.

Traditional coffee gatherings, where men sat on the floor for conversation over coffee in a majlis-style setting, were a popular attraction. Children waved Sudanese flags enthusiastically, while long queues formed for traditional Sudanese food and sweets. Visitors explored heritage corners displaying handmade crafts, colorful fabrics, and jewelry, offering a glimpse into various aspects of Sudanese life.

Music was a major draw, with performances by renowned Sudanese singers like Insaf Madani and Tariq Al Minhali captivating the crowds. Faisal Al Sadiq, a Sudanese resident attending with family, shared his sentiment: "For us, this really feels like Eid before Eid. You meet people from your country, eat your traditional food, listen to music and wear your cultural clothes. For a few hours, it feels like you are back home."

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Everything here feels Sudanese, from the coffee seating to the sweets and songs. I have friends who came from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah just to attend this event.

The event fostered a strong sense of community and belonging, with attendees traveling from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to participate. Fathi, another visitor, noted the authentic Sudanese atmosphere, from the coffee rituals to the music. The celebration also extended a warm welcome to residents of other nationalities, such as Amr, an Egyptian living in Dubai, who praised the welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, and energetic music, remarking, "It feels like one big family event."

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I came here with my Sudanese friends and honestly I was surprised by the atmosphere. The people are welcoming, the food is amazing and the music has so much energy. It feels like one big family event.

A prominent feature was a large message wall titled 'A word for Sudan from the heart,' where visitors penned heartfelt messages of peace, love, and hope for their homeland and gratitude for the UAE. The messages, including 'love from the UAE to Sudan,' underscored the deep emotional connection attendees felt.

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You see the words people have written for Sudan and the UAE here. Some said ‘peace’, some wrote ‘home’, while others simply wrote ‘love from the UAE to Sudan’.