During an Iftar initiative called 'Emirati Values Iftar', organized by the Ras Al Khaimah Youth Council in the historic Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, people of various nationalities came together. At the call for Maghrib prayer, in a purely Arab-style setting on the floor as their ancestors did, men and women lined up on separate sides. They began the Iftar with milk and dates, then some went to pray before returning to enjoy popular traditional dishes, most notably Harees, in an atmosphere of goodwill and closeness. From the very first moments, guests felt they were not attending an official event, but traveling back in time to their grandparents' homes, with their antique wooden doors and narrow alleys telling the story of life before modernity, where the Emirati lived simply but held onto authentic values and traditions that shaped their identity to this day. The initiative attracted participants from Britain, South Korea, India, Pakistan, and other nationalities, who sat side by side, discovering the meaning of Emirati 'Sanaa' and learning details they had never experienced before. The initiative also brought together young people and community members who were keen to introduce guests to Emirati customs related to the month of Ramadan and to highlight the generosity and hospitality that characterize the community. Community Cohesion Ibrahim Al Jery, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Youth Council, told 'Emirates Today' that the 'Emirati Values Iftar' initiative is part of a series of community activities the council implements during the holy month of Ramadan, in line with the state's directions to empower youth and enhance their participation in national and community initiatives, which contributes to strengthening the cohesion between different segments of society. Engineer Mohammed Al Shamsi, one of the initiative's participants, said that the event reflects the true image of the United Arab Emirates, which hosts more than 200 nationalities on its land and has a special ministry for tolerance and coexistence. He added that the expatriate communities in the country enjoy goodness, peace, calm, and coexistence in all their religions and nationalities, pointing out that the beauty of this initiative was that it provided a real opportunity for direct contact between citizens and residents from multiple cultures in an atmosphere of mutual respect and love. Al Shamsi explained that the guests expressed their great happiness at participating in this experience, especially as they learned about Emirati Iftar customs, starting with dates and milk, then moving to prayer, and finally to traditional dishes, in addition to the Arab way of sitting on the floor, which reflected the spirit of authenticity. He also saw that one of the most prominent features of the initiative was also the opportunity for foreign guests to tour the old houses inside the heritage village and learn about the Emirati lifestyle in the past, and how their ancestors lived simply and in solidarity, which reflects the depth of history and the richness of the heritage in the Emirates. He mentioned that all supporters of this initiative embodied the value of tolerance and coexistence on which the state is based, through direct meetings, exchanging conversations, and openness to others without barriers. Sanaa as a Lifestyle The initiative included an introductory session about Emirati values and the importance of majlis, its role in consolidating concepts of respect and communication, in addition to the collective Iftar experience that embodied the meanings of brotherhood, tolerance, and cultural openness. Maryam Al Shehhi (Umm Hameed), who is interested in promoting Emirati 'Sanaa', said that this initiative tells guests about meanings that transcend food and place, stressing that Emirati 'Sanaa' is not just formal customs, but a system of values that generations have been nurtured on for generations; from respecting elders, appreciating the guest, good reception, to the etiquette of the majlis and the good word. She pointed out that these values were instilled by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, who planted in the children of the nation the spirit of tolerance, generosity, and openness. 'Umm Hameed' added that initiatives like these not only introduce others to the culture of the UAE but also remind the country's children of their roots, linking youth with their past to be more aware of their identity as they move to the future. Among the historical lanes The Ras Al Khaimah Youth Council confirmed that the choice of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village to host the 'Emirati Values Iftar' initiative was due to its historical and cultural value. The traditional environment of the place provided a rich experience for the attendees, reflecting the authenticity of the past and the depth of Emirati heritage, and helped convey a vivid picture of the traditional lifestyle in the country. The event concluded with commemorative photos in the corridors of the heritage village, with high praise for the initiative and its positive impact in enhancing the understanding of Emirati culture and its noble values.
