'My soul is Iraqi, my heart is Emirati': Iraqi community comes together in celebration in Dubai

On Saturday, a multitude of Iraqi community members in the United Arab Emirates gathered at Expo City Dubai to celebrate their shared heritage and the strong bonds between Iraq and the UAE. The UAE Loves Iraq event showcased Iraqi customs through traditional music, cuisine, and displays celebrating the nation's iconic landmarks. The gathering aimed to bolster cultural connections between the two countries and offer Iraqi residents a chance to reconnect with their roots and embrace their shared identity.

Dressed in traditional Iraqi attire, families indulged in folk performances and mouth-watering dishes, while others utilized the occasion to reunite with friends and fellow community members. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, was in attendance and lauded the contributions of Iraqi residents to life in the Emirates. He emphasized the UAE's pride in its Iraqi residents and commitment to nurturing the bonds between the nations.

Noting Iraq's rich cultural history and its role in pioneering human civilisation, Sheikh Nahyan described Iraq as the birthplace of significant innovations such as the first wheel and letters. He described Iraq as a beacon of glory and highlighted the UAE's dedication to Iraq's progress and peace.

For many Iraqi residents, the celebration was a chance to reflect on their lives built in the Emirates while retaining a deep connection to their homeland. Mohammed Al Tawaiji, a 48-year-old Iraqi who has lived in the UAE for 20 years, expressed feeling like a true Emirati, saying, "My soul is Iraqi and my heart is Emirati."

Afnan Al Rawi, an Iraqi doctor living in Dubai for 17 years, pointed out the shared traditions and values between the two communities, stating, "We have similar traditions, and the most important thing is that we love each other." Younger community members, such as Ali Mohammed, 22, a student at Emirates Aviation who was born in the UAE, found the event a platform to reconnect with their Iraqi identity and feel at home in the Emirates.

The celebration also provided an opportunity for some attendees to meet fellow Iraqis and relish familiar traditions. Afraa Al Rubaie, a Dubai resident for 25 years, emphasized the importance of such events for people who have spent much of their lives away from Iraq, saying, "It's hard to meet other Iraqis at work or in our residential areas, so this event is a chance to come together and enjoy our food, music, and rich culture."

Emiratis with personal ties to Iraq, like Ibrahim Ali Binhatem, an Emirati writer who married an Iraqi woman and named his daughter Baghdad, also attended the event, sharing their admiration for the nation's history and culture.