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Palestinian Death Toll in Gaza Rises to 31,645

At least 61 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli bombardment taking the death toll up to 31,645 people…reports Asian Lite News

 Gaza Health Ministry on Monday said that the Palestinian death toll has mounted to 31, 645 following Israel’s counter-operations inside the Gaza Strip, media reports said.

“At least 61 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli bombardment taking the death toll up to 31,645 people,” the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Israel media reports said that an Israeli delegation would soon reach Doha again for talks on a ceasefire and the release of prisoners, who are in Hamas captivity.

“More than five months of war and an Israeli siege have led to dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has repeatedly warned of looming famine for the coastal territory’s 2.4 million people,” media reports said.

ALSO READ: Beijing calls for full UN membership for Palestine

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China’s Kinmen Coup: Experts Decode Tactical Intrusion

Chieh Chung, a researcher at the Taiwan-based Association of Strategic Foresight, highlighted Beijing’s intentions to create a scenario of “shared jurisdiction” with Taiwan, ultimately seeking exclusive control over the area….reports Asian Lite News

China’s persistent encroachment into the waters surrounding Taiwan-held Kinmen is a strategic maneuver aimed at establishing “de facto” jurisdictional control in the area, Central News Agency Taiwan reported, citing Taiwanese experts.

According to Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA), on both Friday and Saturday, four Chinese Coast Guard patrol vessels entered Kinmen’s waters. The CGA closely monitored these incursions, issuing warnings until the Chinese ships departed.

In response, the China Coast Guard justified its actions on Friday, stating that its patrols in the waters off Kinmen were “legal,” CNA Taiwan reported.

Chieh Chung, a researcher at the Taiwan-based Association of Strategic Foresight, highlighted Beijing’s intentions to create a scenario of “shared jurisdiction” with Taiwan, ultimately seeking exclusive control over the area.

Chieh dismissed any connection between China’s actions and its handling of a recent incident involving the deaths of two Chinese nationals in a speedboat collision. He drew parallels to past events, notably Chinese Coast Guard activities around the disputed Diaoyutai Islands, claimed by Taiwan, China, and Japan.

However, Chieh emphasised that China has exercised restraint, understanding the potential for regional conflict arising from provocations over territories like the Diaoyutai Islands or Kinmen.

Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, contextualised the recent intrusions as part of Beijing’s broader strategy employing non-military tactics against Taiwan, including cognitive warfare and economic coercion.

Regarding the Kinmen incident, Su characterised Beijing’s actions as part of gray zone operations, aimed at undermining the sovereignty of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official designation.

Su warned that while Beijing may limit its use of new tactics against Taiwan, it is likely to increase the frequency of employing existing strategies. He urged the Taiwanese government to enhance its risk management capabilities to address potential conflicts effectively, Focus Taiwan reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Wildfires: China Activates Level-IV Emergency in Sichuan

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Niger Breaks Off Military Deal With US

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase….reports Asian Lite News

In a blow to the US security presence in Niger, the latter has suspended its military agreement with the former “with immediate effect”, Al Jazeera reported quoting the Niger’s ruling military spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane.

The agreement that allowed US military personnel and civilian defence staff to operate from Niger lost its existence a week after senior US officials, led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and US Africa Command head General Michael Langley, visited the West African country earlier this week to discuss democratic transition.

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase.

Speaking on local television, Abdramane said the US delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda, Al Jazeera reported.

“Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” Abdramane said.

The US military had some 650 personnel working in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress. The US military operates a major airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from the capital of Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.

According to the Al Jazeera report, a drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez was built at a cost of more than USD 100 million. Since 2018 the base has been used to target ISIL (ISIS) fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera correspondent Shihab Rattansi said the move is “a huge blow to the US”.

“Niger is the centre of US operations in west and north Africa, notably at its Air Base 201, the most expensive construction project ever undertaken by the US government. It’s there for war on terror operations but it’s really there also for great power projection against countries like Russia and China.”

Last October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup. But in December, the top US envoy for Africa, Phee, said the US was willing to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.

The military said the delegation had accused Niger of partnering with Russia and Iran on “secret” deals, which the government denies. Officials also said the US had “threatened” action against Niger if the Niamey fails to cut ties with both countries.

The military government “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people”, spokesman Abdramane added.

Niger has been under military rule since July 2023 when an elite guard force led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani detained President Mohamed Bazoum and declared Tchiani ruler.

Like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has also kicked out French and other European forces. Both Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia for support. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden opposes plan to sell US Steel to Japanese firm

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Putin Warns of World War 3 in Victory Speech

Putin has frequently highlighted the dangers of nuclear warfare but asserted that he has never deemed it necessary to employ nuclear weapons in Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday warned the Western powers that any direct conflict between Russia and the NATO alliance, led by the US, would mean the world will be “one step away” from a full-scale World War III, TASS reported.

However, he also said that it is “unlikely” that anyone is interested in this.

The Russia-Ukraine war has sparked the most severe strain in Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Putin has frequently highlighted the dangers of nuclear warfare but asserted that he has never deemed it necessary to employ nuclear weapons in Ukraine, according to TASS.

Speaking to reporters, after emerging victorious in the post-Soviet Russian history, Putin said that in the future, a direct conflict between Russia and NATO cannot be ruled out, although no one is interested in this.

“I think that everything is possible in the modern world. But <…> it will be one step away from a full-scale third world war. I think it’s unlikely Is anyone interested in this?” TASS quotes Putin as saying.

Before Russia’s March 15-17 elections, Ukraine had ramped up its attacks against Russia.

On Kyiv sending a large number of soldiers on the border zone, Putin said that “somewhere up to 5 thousand people” are present here.

The Russian Volunteer Corps (recognised as a terrorist organization in the Russian Federation) and similar groups include 2.5 thousand, who are now, “like meat… thrown into assaults,” in the latest attacks these “so so-called volunteers” lost approximately 800 people, according to TASS.

Securing a crushing victory in the Russian Presidential elections, Putin also said that he had agreed to a prisoner swap involving Alexei Navalny before the opposition leader’s sudden death in an Arctic prison in February.

Calling Navalny’s death a ‘sad event’, Putin said there were other cases of people in prisons passing away.

In his address at his election headquarters on Sunday, Putin said, “As for Mr. Navalny–yes, he passed away. It is always a sad event. And there were other cases when people in prisons passed away. Didn’t this happen in the United States? It did, and not once.”

Putin added that he was told of a proposal to exchange Navalny for prisoners held in Western nations days before the Opposition leader died in prison.

On February 16, jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died.

Putin won the presidential elections, receiving 87.17 per cent of the votes based on the result of processing 70 per cent of the electoral protocols, Russia-based TASS reported, citing data from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation candidate Nikolai Kharitonov secured the second spot with 4.1 per cent of the votes while New People Party candidate Vladislav Davankov stood third with 4.8 per cent votes.

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) candidate, Leonid Slutsky, received a mere 3.15 per cent of the votes counted. According to preliminary data as of 6 pm (Moscow time) on Sunday, the voter turnout in the presidential elections, which for the first time took place over three days from March 15-17, stood at 74.22 per cent. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden backs Senator, calls for fresh polls in Israel

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Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism

Netanyahu said that Israel never would have called for a new U.S. election after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, and denounced Schumer’s comments as inappropriate….reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu railed Sunday against growing criticism from top ally the United States against his leadership amid the devastating war with Hamas, describing calls for a new election as “wholly inappropriate.”

In recent days, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the country and a strong Israel supporter, called on Israel to hold a new election, saying Netanyahu had “lost his way.” President Joe Biden expressed support for Schumer’s “good speech,” and earlier accused Netanyahu of hurting Israel because of the huge civilian death toll in Gaza.

Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel never would have called for a new U.S. election after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, and denounced Schumer’s comments as inappropriate.

“We’re not a banana republic,” he said. “The people of Israel will choose when they will have elections, and who they’ll elect, and it’s not something that will be foisted on us.”

When asked by CNN whether he would commit to a new election after the war ends, Netanyahu said: “I think that’s something for the Israeli public to decide.”

The U.S., which has provided key military and diplomatic support to Israel, also has expressed concerns about a planned Israeli assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. The spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, told Fox the U.S. still hasn’t seen an Israeli plan for Rafah.

The U.S. supports a new round of talks aimed at securing a cease-fire in exchange for the return of Israeli hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.

The Israeli delegation to those talks was expected to leave for Qatar after Sunday evening meetings of the Security Cabinet and War Cabinet, which will give directions for negotiations.

Despite the talks, Netanyahu made it clear he would not back down from the fighting that has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. More than five months have passed since Hamas attacked southern Israel, killed 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu said calls for an election now — which polls show he would lose badly — would force Israel to stop fighting and paralyze the country for six months.

Netanyahu also reiterated his determination to attack Hamas in Rafah and said that his government approved military plans for such an operation.

“We will operate in Rafah. This will take several weeks, and it will happen,” he said. The operation is supposed to include the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of civilians, but it is not clear how Israel will do that.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi reiterated his warning that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah would have “grave repercussions on the whole region.” Egypt says pushing Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula would jeopardize its peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of regional stability.

“We are also very concerned about the risks a full-scale offensive in Rafah would have on the vulnerable civilian population. This needs to be avoided at all costs,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after meeting with el-Sissi.

And German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after meeting with Netanyahu on Sunday, warned that “the more desperate the situation of people in Gaza becomes, the more this begs the question: No matter how important the goal, can it justify such terribly high costs, or are there other ways to achieve your goal?”

Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe and, given memories of the Holocaust, often treads carefully when criticizing Israel.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, in Washington for St. Patrick’s Day, said during a White House reception that the Irish people were “deeply troubled” by what’s unfolding in Gaza. He said there was much to learn from Ireland’s peace process and the critical U.S. involvement in it.

Varadkar said he’s often asked why the Irish are so empathetic to the Palestinians.

“We see our history in their eyes. A story of displacement, dispossession, and national identity questioned and denied forced emigration, discrimination and now hunger,” he said.

Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul-general in New York and an outspoken critic of Netanyahu, said that the prime minister’s comments fit with his efforts to find someone else to blame if Israel doesn’t achieve its goal of destroying Hamas.

“He’s looking on purpose for a conflict with the U.S. so that he can blame Biden,” Pinkas said.

Both sides have something to gain politically from the dispute. The Biden administration is under increasing pressure from progressive Democrats and some Arab-American supporters to restrain Israel’s war against Hamas. Netanyahu, meanwhile, wants to show his nationalist base that he can withstand global pressure, even from Israel’s closest ally.

ALSO READ: Biden backs Senator, calls for fresh polls in Israel

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Biden roasts Trump

One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me, says Biden at the Gridiron Club dinner, a Washington tradition that began in the 1880s…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden has joked about former President Donald Trump’s mental fitness during a speech at the Gridiron Club dinner, a Washington tradition that began in the 1880s.

“One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me,” Biden said on Saturday in front of more than 650 guests who included the Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, whose US business could be banned by Biden.

“Don’t tell him, he thinks he’s running against Barack Obama, that’s what he said,” said Biden, 81, who also quipped that he was staying up way past his bedtime.

Trump’s campaign did not respond, though the 77-year-old Republican leader has also questioned Biden’s mental capacity to be president. The Democratic leader has deflected ongoing criticism that his memory is hazy and he appears confused.

It was the first time Biden had attended the traditional dinner during his presidency, and comes as the 2024 election looms and the November rematch between Biden and Trump heats up.

Biden’s appearance at the dinner, in which politicians and journalists trade humorous barbs in a white-tie formal affair, was the first time a president has attended in person since Trump himself came in 2018.

Biden reinforced the importance of the press, which he said is not “the enemy of the people”, in stark contrast to previous remarks by Trump about the news media.

He also spoke about the war in Ukraine with Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who attended Saturday’s dinner. “We will not bow down, they [Ukrainians] will not bow down and I will not bow down,” Biden said.

After his speech, Biden descended to the floor and took selfies with reporters and called one guest’s mother.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, representing the Democratic Party at the event, also spoke, as well as Utah Governor Spencer Cox, representing the Republican Party.

Cox, 48, joked that he was announcing his candidacy for the presidency “in 2052, when I still will be younger than both President Biden and President Trump”.

Trump tears into Biden administration

Meanwhile, Trump came out heavily against the Biden administration over the ‘heavy influx’ of migrants from the border and migrant crimes, while announcing that he will terminate every ‘open border policy’ if he comes to power, Fox News reported.

He was addressing a rally in the Dayton suburb of Vandalia, Ohio, during which he also mentioned the death of University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

The former President further attacked Biden, blaming him for “allowing millions of migrants,” including, “violent gang members and gangsters,” into the US.

“Not one more American life should be lost to migrant crime. We can’t have another Laken…When I’m President of the United States, we will demand justice for Laken on day one. My administration will terminate every open border policy of the Biden administration,” Trump said at the rally.

He added, “The fastest way to reverse every single Biden disaster is to very simply put me back in office.”

Emphasising on the situation at the US-Mexico border, Trump said, “We’re going to fix it again.”

“Among my very first actions will be to stop the invasion of our country and send Joe Biden’s illegal aliens back home,” the former President added.

Further, during his Ohio speech, the former president warned of a ‘bloodbath’ in the country if he does not get elected in the polls set to be held later this year, Politico reported.

“Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s gonna be a bloodbath. That’s going to be the least of it.” He said, “It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country.”

Trump often showcases a dark image of the nation to present his case against US President Joe Biden ahead of the presidential elections that are likely to be held in November. During his campaign events, Trump frequently brings up the events of January 6, as he still denounces the 2020 elections that he lost.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, respectively, setting up a rematch with each other.

‘Trump wants another Jan 6’

Meanwhile, Biden’s campaign spokesperson, James Singer, said in a statement that former President Donald Trump “wants another January 6” after Trump on Saturday said that there would be a ‘bloodbath’ in the country if he lost the upcoming polls, reported CNN.

Condemning his statement, Singer emphasised that the US people would not make him win the presidential elections.

“American people are going to give him another electoral defeat this November because they continue to reject his extremism, his affection for violence, and his thirst for revenge,” Singer said.

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13th Group of Wounded Palestinians Arrive in UAE

The initiative is a clear embodiment of the UAE’s steadfast humanitarian approach to standing by its brothers and extending a helping hand to them in various circumstances….reports Asian Lite News

The 13th group of wounded Palestinian children and cancer patients arrived in the UAE on early Saturday in response to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to provide medical treatment for 1,000 wounded children, and 1,000 cancer patients from the Gaza Strip, in the UAE’s hospitals.

The initiative is a clear embodiment of the UAE’s steadfast humanitarian approach to standing by its brothers and extending a helping hand to them in various circumstances.

Departing from Al Arish International Airport, a plane landed at the Zayed International Airport, carrying 98 Palestinians, including 40 children in need of urgent medical assistance for severe injuries and burns, as well as cancer patients requiring intensive treatment. They were accompanied by 58 family members.

With the arrival of this new group of wounded and injured people, the total number of patients and companions received by hospitals in the United Arab Emirates has reached 1,154. This includes 585 wounded children and cancer patients, as well as 569 companions.

ALSO READ: UAE President, World Central Kitchen CEO discuss boosting Gaza aid

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Japan to Join Maritime Corridor Initiative

The initiative was launched on Tuesday, mainly led by Cyprus, the United States and the United Arab Emirates….reports Asian Lite News

Japan will join a maritime corridor initiative to deliver aid supplies to Gaza by sea from the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has said.

The Japanese government plans to coordinate promptly with other related countries to deliver food, medical and hygiene supplies through the maritime corridor.

The initiative was launched on Tuesday, mainly led by Cyprus, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

At a press conference, Kamikawa pointed out that the maritime corridor can avoid constraints at borders in ground transportation. “We will work promptly on the matter,” she said.

The UAE had announced the arrival of the first ship carrying 200 tonnes of food and relief supplies to the Gaza Strip. The aid was delivered via a maritime corridor launched from Larnaca Port in Cyprus to Gaza in collaboration between the UAE, World Central Kitchen (WCK), and the Republic of Cyprus.

ALSO READ: UAE President, World Central Kitchen CEO discuss boosting Gaza aid

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UAE, Qatar Stress Unified Approach in Gaza

The UAE Foreign Minister visited Doha, on a working visit, and met with Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim and Qatari Prime Minister….reports Asian Lite News

Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday welcomed UAE Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The UAE Top Diplomat conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his best wishes to the State of Qatar and its people for more prosperity and progress. His Highness Sheikh Tamim reciprocated the greetings.

During the meeting, which was held as part of the UAE Foreign Minister’s working visit to Doha, the fraternal relations and ways to support and develop bilateral cooperation were reviewed, in addition to discussing a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the depth of the fraternal UAE-Qatar relations and the two countries’ continuous efforts to invest in all available opportunities to expand the paths of bilateral cooperation in a way that achieves their mutual interest and the higher good of their peoples.

Sheikh Abdullah also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Emir of Qatar for the warm welcome, expressing his best wishes to Qatar and its people for more progress and prosperity.

Later, Sheikh Abdullah also met with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.

The two ministers also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East region, especially in the Gaza Strip.

They reviewed the efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire, especially with the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the urgent need to intensify the regional and international efforts made to provide sufficient humanitarian assistance to the brotherly Palestinian people, in a way that would contribute to alleviating their suffering.

They touched on the outcomes of the recent ministerial meeting on the maritime corridor initiative aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and the importance of such initiatives in opening humanitarian corridors to transport aid at a sufficient and sustainable pace and without obstacles to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Sheikh Abdullah pointed out during the meeting that the Middle East region is going through exceptional difficult circumstances and many challenges that, he stressed, necessitate the need to intensify cooperation and multilateral work at all levels to end extremism, tension and escalating violence in the region and reach a sustainable ceasefire.

The UAE FM added that a ceasefire, securing the safety of all civilians and bolstering the humanitarian response to the brotherly Palestinian people is an urgent priority.

“To ensure the success of these endeavours, a unified approach combining all available efforts is imperative,” Sheikh Abdullah stressed.

He also appreciated the continuous efforts made by Qatar to reach a ceasefire that would contribute to meeting the urgent humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza. He reiterated the importance of finding a serious political horizon to resume negotiations with the aim of achieving comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar hosted an Iftar banquet in honour of Sheikh Abdullah and his accompanying delegation.

ALSO READ: UAE President, World Central Kitchen CEO discuss boosting Gaza aid

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Expo City Celebrates Diversity With ‘Dubai Iftar’

The third edition of ‘Dubai Iftar’ brings together people from various faiths at Expo City Dubai….reports Asian Lite News

The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, in collaboration with Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, today hosted the third edition of ‘Dubai Iftar’ at Expo City Dubai.

The interfaith iftar event saw people from different faiths, including religious leaders, gather together for a special iftar meal. The event was also attended by Muslim scholars, UAE officials, senior officials from various organisations, as well as representatives from consular and diplomatic bodies in the country.

‘Dubai Iftar’ was organised as part of the #RamadanInDubai campaign that was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. Organised annually, the iftar event aims to celebrate the values of generosity and sharing, while also promoting peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.

Commenting on the occasion, Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said the ‘Dubai Iftar’ event reflects the spirit of tolerance and compassion that characterises the Holy Month, while also showcasing the religious and cultural diversity within the UAE society.

“Our society is distinguished by its commitment to coexistence and religious freedom. These values are rooted in mutual respect and a dedication to safeguarding and integrating all members, irrespective of their cultural or religious backgrounds. Ramadan offers us the chance to renew our commitment to advancing our society’s development, strengthening bonds within our community and enhancing the quality of life of all society members,” Buhumaid said.

She added: “This iftar, uniting representatives from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, underscores our shared goal of safeguarding our society’s ongoing development. Social progress isn’t solely the duty of governments or organisations; it’s a collective endeavour that requires active involvement from all members of society. Whether through ideas, volunteerism, charitable actions, or supporting programmes addressing societal needs, everyone plays a crucial role.”

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, said that the ‘Dubai Iftar’ event embodies the essence of Emirati culture, which embraces coexistence and diversity. He emphasised the unique social fabric of the UAE, particularly in Dubai, which is known for its rich cultural diversity, with residents hailing from over 200 nationalities and speaking numerous languages.

He added that the event aligns with the vision of the UAE leadership and exemplifies the peaceful coexistence found in the UAE. “This initiative has gained substantial regional recognition for bringing people of diverse faiths, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds together. Through this gathering, we convey a message of love, tolerance, and peace from Dubai to all sects and religions worldwide,” Al Muhairi said.

Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, Cultural Communication Advisor and General Coordinator of Ramadan Activities in Dubai, said that Al Wasl Plaza in Expo City Dubai was selected once again as the venue for ‘Dubai Iftar’ due to its symbolic significance as a beacon for connecting minds and civilisations worldwide. Additionally, the invitation was extended to include a broader array of representatives from various sects, religions, and members of the country’s consular and diplomatic corps, he noted.

Launched by the Dubai Media Council, the #RamadanInDubai campaign brings the public and private sectors together for the first time for a unified celebration of the Holy Month.

The Dubai Media Council has tasked Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), with overseeing the campaign’s execution. The campaign has been designed to bring to the community the unique spirit, beauty and warmth of Ramadan and share the rich cultural heritage and traditions that are an integral part of celebrations during the Holy Month. The initiative also aims to create a unique ambience across the city that captures the true essence of Ramadan, reflecting the authentic Emirati customs and traditions that make the occasion truly special.

ALSO READ: UAE President, World Central Kitchen CEO discuss boosting Gaza aid