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Grand carnival as 'One World, One Family, One Festival' ends

DUBAI - Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 came to a close last night with a grand carnival and raffle draws worth millions of dirhams. The glittering closing ceremony was attended by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, at the Dubai Creekside Amphitheatre.

The 32-day shopping-cum-entertainment extravaganza which surpassed all expectations in the retail and tourism sectors truly captured the spirit of the world being one family through 300 activities which united residents and visitors from all over the world.

Gen. Shaikh Mohammed distributed prizes among winners of the DSF Ideal Arab and Family Awards, DSF Journalism Awards and DSF Innovation Awards at the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the DSF Supreme Committee, Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim, Director-General of Dubai Civil Defence, said: "Launched for the first time with the theme 'One World, One Family, One Festival', Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 was an invitation to establish a concept of peace and harmony. Nurtured with the thoughts of the millions who continue to look at Dubai as an oasis of peace and warmth for families, Dubai Shopping Festival continues to grow at its steady pace year after year under the caring guidance of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"Inspired by enthusiasm of our visitors and affection of our innocent children, we presented Dubai yet again to all families who dreamt of coming together in a land filled with love - United Arab Emirates.

"We presented a unique world in this united emirate, a world where all cultures and civilisations live together in harmony, respecting each other and creating a special language of progress and development."

Colonel Sayed thanked sponsors for joining hands with the public sector in enhancing the appeal of the festival that had put Dubai on global map. He lauded the role played by the local, AGCC and international media in covering the activities of the festival and projecting the UAE to the world.

Gen. Shaikh Mohammed presented the DSF 2003 Innovation Awards to Paris Gallery (Best Retail Innovation); BurJuman Centre (Best Shopping Mall Innovation); Dubai International Airport (Best Interior Building Decor Innovation); the Department of Naturalisation and Residency (Best Humanitarian Event/Project Innovation); and Dubai Police for the 'Walk for Peace' (Best Event Innovation).

The Reception Committee at the Dubai Airport from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department received a special award.

In the Global Village Awards, Syria picked up the Best Decor (Exterior) Award, while Pakistan won in the category of Best Organised Pavilion.

Egypt was recognised as the Best Managed Pavilion and India Pavilion received an award for the Best Folklore Activity.

Certificates of appreciation were given to the key sponsors and patrons of DSF, including Paris Gallery, Spinneys LLC, Al Futtaim Group, BurJuman Centre, Deira City Centre, MashreqBank, Al Rostamani Group, Al Zarouni Group, ENOC/EPPCO, Pepsi Cola International, Etisalat, Visa International, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, Dubai Festival City, Emirates airline, Jumbo Electronics, Emirates Bank Group, Al Habtoor Group and Emaar Properties.

The curtain of the eighth edition of the DSF finally went down at 12 midnight with a massive 10-minute display of fireworks which illuminated the Dubai skies with a fusion of colour and pyrotechnics.

Earlier, revellers took part in the biggest-ever carnival along Al Seef Street.

Emirati celebrity singer Ahlam conducted the grand draw for Lexus Raffles, Dh1 million for the Gold and Jewellery Group and the grand draw for the Paris Gallery raffle at the Global Village.

• UAE