'Both are my country': Palestinians on ties that bind them to UAE

Members of the UAE's large Palestinian community gathered for a special event in Dubai to express their love, support and solidarity with Palestine. The Emirates Loves Palestine gathering at Expo City Dubai was the first of its kind, uniting families for a celebration of shared heritage and culture. Attendees, many of whom were born in the UAE but have never visited Palestine, came dressed in traditional Palestinian attire, including hand-embroidered thobes.

Children were carried by their elders and fathers held their young children high as they marched together to the event.

The UAE has been a steadfast supporter of Palestine, providing aid in the form of food, medicine, shelter and medical resources. During the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the UAE has been the largest donor, contributing approximately $3 billion between 2023 and 2025. This generosity was highlighted during the event, reinforcing the deep connections between the two nations.

Emirati Ambassador Abeer Al Ramahi emphasized the significance of the event, stating that it was a gesture of gratitude from both the UAE and the Palestinian people to one another. The event featured a variety of activities, including folk music, the tasting of traditional Palestinian dishes like maamoul cookies, lotus biscuits and halawa ice cream, and the presentation of handmade textiles.

Jordanian-Palestinian couple Leen Elayyan and Anas Abu Shashiek, who brought their young children, expressed the importance of exposing their children to Palestinian culture, even though they had never visited the country themselves. They hoped that by participating in the event, their children would better understand and appreciate the rich traditions of Palestine.