H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has directed an AED1 million grant to support participants in Dubai Dates, honouring their role in preserving the UAE's national heritage.
The grant comes as part of his ongoing support for the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre and its mission to sustain heritage focused community initiatives.
The gesture underscores the palm tree's place as a national symbol woven into Emirati memory and identity. It also offers direct support to palm owners, farmers, and participants who contributed to the success of the event's third edition.
Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, thanked Sheikh Hamdan for the grant, calling it recognition for everyone who helped preserve this heritage symbol. He said the support reflects a leadership that views safeguarding identity as an active responsibility rather than a symbolic gesture.
Held from July 18 to 26 at Qalaat Al Rimal on the Dubai Al Ain Road, Dubai Dates wrapped its third edition with strong public turnout and a series of official visits. The closing ceremony saw the crowning of the Al Nader Cup winners, honoured by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri and bin Dalmook, along with Deputy CEO Rashid Mubarak bin Markhan Al Ketbi.
Ateeq Saif Al Omaimi received the Al Das Al Thahabi Award, the event's top honour, for scoring the highest points across all competitions. Organisers also presented the Dubai Dates Medal 2026 to the late Abdullah bin Rashid Al Shamsi and Dr. Rashid Ahmed Al Mazrouei for their lasting contributions to palm heritage.
The event featured dozens of exhibits, workshops, and family focused activities celebrating the date season and its enduring cultural significance across the UAE.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
