Traditional Dancing Main Highlight of Eid Celebrations

DUBAI - Traditional Arabic dancing was the main highlight of the Eid celebrations at the malls in Dubai.

By Lily B. Libo-on

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Published: Fri 25 Sep 2009, 12:21 AM

Last updated: Wed 18 Jan 2023, 4:09 PM

Big crowds saw dancers perform the Tanoura and Khaligi with the popular Dabkeh in Syrian and Palestinian styles. Discounts in the outlets further lured visitors to do last minute shopping.

Reef Mall in Deira hosted a series of traditional Arabic musicals and dance acts making customers enjoy their outing with a festive backdrop.


A three-piece band with oud, qanoun and tablah players performed two sets, at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, each of which was followed by a an exclusive Tanoura dance show.

Khaligi dancers performed next, prepared with fun versions of Razfah, Ayyala, Liwa and Al Dan sequences.


Dabkeh, the popular Arab folk dance, was the final act each evening, performed by a trained Syrian and Palestinian, who had flown into Dubai for the special occasion.

Reef Mall also offered customers a wide selection of mid-range retail outlets, Fun City (a children’s entertainment zone equipped with games and rides), and a fast food court that provided meal options from 
various cuisines.

At BurJuman, guests experienced traditional Eid this year, with an exciting series of music and dance performances, professional henna application and a live falcon which with they could take pictures.

Oud, qanoun and tablah sessions were performed in unison starting at 8pm on the two days of Eid.

As part of the festivities, customers viewed exclusive Arabic dance acts from 6pm onwards, including the colourful Tanoura, a traditional Khaligi and the Dabkeh, again in the Syrian and Palestinian versions. Henna application was also available for female shoppers.

National Arabic dancers performed at Mercato for the three days of Eid from 5pm to 10pm.

With lots of fun for the whole family, the mall was transformed into a joyful hub of Eid events.

Eid Al Fitr shoppers and visitors were treated to a celebratory folklore show by Emirati stick dancers.

Fifteen Al Maqabeel stick dancers, together with five skilled children and drummers dazzled viewers with popular traditional Emirati routines.

Rana Jaser, PR Manager of Mercato said residents and tourists were thrilled and interacted with the group, who enchanted shoppers of all ages.

“This year, visitors were treated to delicious leqeemat, the traditional Emirati sweet, which was cooked and served fresh in the mall. Visitors gathered at Mercato Majlis on the ground floor to exchange Eid greetings while watching the performances and savouring Arabic sweets.”

She said that the henna tent on the first floor had been popular in providing intricate applications of the traditional dye during Ramadan. “The exotic designs by talented women had attracted a great deal of interest with the contributions going to charity.”

Dubai Outlet Mall had an array of offers ranging from discounts between 30 per cent and 90 per cent on most products in its 240 stores and entertainment spots for Eid Al Fitr.

An added bonus to customers spending Dh300 was a scratch and win coupon for instant prizes as well as entry to the final raffle draw on Friday, 
September 25.

The prizes on offer here were ‘Luxurious Gift Experiences’ such as a private luxury yacht trip, a helicopter ride or an open water dive course.

Dubai Outlet Mall also hosted spectacular lighting and decorations around the mall along with festive entertainment such as the Tanoura 
dance shows.

Families enjoyed Chuck E Cheeses leisure and entertainment outlet as well as the fun and colourful kids playing area in the Dome.

lily@khaleejtimes.ae


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