Number of participants and visitors has increased dramatically compared to last year

Ajman, UAE, July 31, 2016:  Under the patronage of H.H Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Union and Ruler of Ajman, the third edition of Ajman Liwa Date Festival concluded successfully with a huge turnout of Emirati farmers who participated in the competition which showcased the best dates and citrus fruits grown locally.

More than 10,000 visitors of different nationalities attended the three day festival with winners of the date and citrus fruits competition, the most beautiful fruit basket arrangement and the photography contest announced on the final day.

HE Faisal Al Nuaimi, General Manager of the Ajman Tourism Development Department said: “The number of participants has increased dramatically compared to last year including participants to the citrus fruits competition. We have seen visitors from Germany, UK and East Asia including families and children of residents who showed up and took part in the different activities that we have organized. The participants in the traditional market were so happy with the big sales and the hotels that participated were also pleased with the result.”

He added: “We are proud of the success of this year’s Liwa Ajman Date Festival which highlighted the emirate of Ajman as a destination for major festivals that cater to both tourists and residents. We promise our visitors that more activities will be added next year that cater to the interests of tourists from all over the world as we pursue our efforts to achieve the Ajman Vision 2021 and promote Ajman as a safe family, business and tourist destination.”

Farmers from the Northern and Western areas of the United Arab Emirates entered the Mazayna contest which included date varieties such as Al Khallas, Al Kunaizi, Al Barhi, Al Sheshe, Farth and Lulu and winners received total prizes of AED400,000 for the best date judged on taste, shape, size, weight and colour. This year, citrus fruits have been added to the categories.

Saud Al Jasmi, Head of the Liwa Ajman Date Festival Committee commented: “This year’s Liwa Ajman Date Festival has exceeded all of our expectations as we have seen a great increase in the number of participants compared to last year and visitors from different parts of the world. One of the key success factors is by implementing new strategies, thus including new types of activities such as citrus and photography competitions which have shown decent number of 164 participants.”

“What distinguishes this festival from other festivals is the diversity among various activities and educational workshops that we presented to the children and future farmers,' he concluded.

Winners from the Northern region for the Khalas category on the final day of the competition are Matar Ali Muftah Al Shamsi, Salem Abdullah Qayedi, Ali Abdullah Salem Qayedi, Hamdan. Winners for the Fard category fare Salem Abdullah Qayedi, Hamdan Mohamed Al Aryani and Humaid Saeed Mohammed Al Aryani. Winners for the Lulu category are Khalfan Saeed Ayesh Qayedi, Azaba Saif Ali and Ali Abdullah Salem Qayedi. Winners from the Western region for the Khalas category on the final day of the competition are Humaid Sultan Al Jaber Battal Al Marar, Mohammed Saif Murshid Al Marar and Ousha Khalfan Sultan Al Marar. Winners for the Fard category are Saeed Salem Al Mansouri and his brothers, Saeed Salem Al Mansouri and Mubarak Salem Al Mansouri. Winners for the Lulu category are Saeed Salem Al Mansouri and Moza Mohammed Al Mazroui

Winners of the fruits basket competition from the Northern region are Buthaina Atiya Abu Al Husein, Manal Mohammed Saif Al Zaabi, Aisha Obaid Ali and Fatima Saleh Jumaa Jumaa

Winners of the Photography Competition were also announced with Anthony Tario Austria receiving first prize of AED5,000, second place of AED3,000 went to Sumeya Saeed Saif Al-Salhi and Don Ferdinand S.tabbun received the AED2,000 cash prize to win third place.

The 3rd Liwa Ajman Date Festival, held from July 27 to 29 at Emirates Hospitality Center, has been organized to educate residents and visitors on the importance of the date palm tree to the UAE’s culture and heritage. 

The main partners of the festival are Abu Dhabi Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee and main sponsors Al Foah and Liwa Dates, Zabeel Studio, Ajman Folk Arts Association and Theater, Karji Perfumes, SpaceToon Channel, Thumbay Hospital, in addition to the supporting authorities and festival participants, Juma Al Majid Center For Culture & Heritage, Environment and Protected Areas Authorities, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Girl Guides, Khalifa International Award For Date Palm Agricultural Innovation, Children Centers, Ajman Youth Center, Emirates Environmental Group, General Women's Union, Ajman Educational Zone, Farmers Services Center, United Arab Emirates University and media partner ‘Ajman Vision’.