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

The UAE's large Palestinian community recently gathered in Dubai for Emirates Loves Palestine, a community event aimed at celebrating the ties that bind the two nations. Families, dressed in traditional hand-embroidered thobes, filled the conference centre at Expo City Dubai. Grandchildren pushed their grandparents in wheelchairs while fathers held young children on their shoulders as they queued to experience folk songs and taste Palestine's famous breads and sweets.

Many Palestinian residents have never lived in or visited their ancestral homeland, yet they cherish the UAE as a second home. Fifteen-year-old Sultan Mohamed expressed his gratitude, saying, "This event is so important to Palestinians, because it shows us how the UAE loves us, and takes care of Palestinian people." Sultan, along with his siblings and parents, came to the event to witness the music and songs of the Palestinian people.

The UAE's support for Palestine has been significant, particularly during wartime. The country has been the largest single donor to Gaza in recent years, spending approximately $3 billion between 2023 and 2025. Kholoud Ferwana, a mother of four born in the UAE, emphasized the strong relationship between the two countries, stating, "I’m Palestinian, I’m born in the UAE, I love UAE and I love Palestine.

Both are my own country." She took her teenage children to traditional garment stalls to appreciate the handmade designs and expose them to Palestine's culture.

Abeer Al Ramahi, the ambassador of Palestine in the UAE, described the event as a gesture of gratitude from the UAE to Palestine. She emphasized the large Palestinian community residing in the UAE, expressing gratitude for the celebration of Palestinian heritage and culture together in the country.

Jordanian-Palestinian couple Leen Elayyan and Anas Abu Shashiek brought their young children to the event, hoping their children would engage with traditional Palestinian food, clothes, and music. Anas expressed his love for the UAE, stating, "We want our children to see the lovely culture, we are raising our kids here and want to show them how this country is building this special environment."

The event, organized in partnership with the UAE-Palestinian Friendship Club and the Palestinian Business Council - Dubai and Northern Emirates, welcomed over 20,000 attendees both in-person and through live streaming.