When 80-year-old Aisha saw the Dome of the Rock, with its famous golden dome, she experienced strong emotions. She uttered, 'Ya Allah,' as memories of her childhood in Jerusalem flooded back.
She recalled time spent there with her deceased sister. Aisha shared that she was about 16 years old, and her sister was 18. She also remembered her brother going to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. They would spend evenings in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Many years later, while at Expo City, Aisha began sharing these memories with her daughters, son, and grandchildren. For her, the display of the Golden Dome was not just a sight; it reminded her of her parents, brother, sister, and the time they spent in their childhood.
Aisha, who had visited Jerusalem multiple times, was among thousands of Palestinians and UAE residents gathered at Expo City Dubai on Saturday for the opening of the Emirates Loves Palestine event, organized by Emirates Loves.
Abir Al-Ramahi, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the UAE, expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting the event and bringing Palestinians together under one roof. She noted, 'We are very grateful to the UAE for organizing such a wonderful event. Today is dedicated to Palestinian culture, our traditions, and heritage, but it is also about Palestinians gathering together and remembering what connects us to home.'
She added that watching families, children, and different generations celebrate their culture together makes the day special, comparing it to a festival of joy and unity.
Palestinian culture could be seen throughout the exhibition hall. Many visitors wore black and white keffiyehs, and women and young girls were dressed in traditional Palestinian dresses adorned with Tatreez embroidery. Older visitors mentioned that the event brought back memories of Palestine. For Palestinians, it was an opportunity to show their children traditions, clothing, food, and culture.
Rawand came with her family, including her daughter Jehan. Both were dressed in traditional Palestinian attire with Tatreez embroidery, and she said the event helped the family feel a greater closeness to Palestine. The sight of familiar clothing, exhibits, and traditions made the experience special, especially for the children. For Rawand, it was also a chance for her daughter to learn more about Palestinian culture while living in the UAE.
Rawand shared, 'My daughter learned about our culture. She hasn't had the chance to visit Palestine yet.' She added that the atmosphere created the feeling that they were experiencing a small part of Palestine right in Dubai.
Among the children, Walid, Zaid, and Zein quickly recognized one of the main exhibits. As soon as they entered and saw the reconstruction of a familiar Jerusalem landmark, they became excited and pointed it out to their father. Basim, Walid's father, remarked, 'Yes, they know Al-Aqsa Mosque very well. Our dream is to visit and pray there.'
Later, they posed next to the exhibit. For many children at the event, it was a chance to see Palestinian culture around them, rather than just hearing about it at home or seeing it in pictures. Walid commented, 'This reconstructed dome is so beautiful. I wonder how beautiful the real monument will be.'
Abdullah Al-Shami also came with his young son Yusuf Al-Shami. While Yusuf sat on his shoulders, Abdullah said he wants his son to learn about Palestinian culture and traditions from an early age. Al-Shami emphasized, 'Events like this help our children better understand where we come from. We are very grateful to the UAE and the leadership for such a culturally rich event.'
He added that this way, they can show children clothing, food, and traditions instead of just explaining it at home.
Palestinian food courts became one of the liveliest parts of the event, where crowds gathered at stalls, queuing for Palestinian dishes and sweets. A group of musicians performed traditional Palestinian melodies on ancient instruments, attracting visitors to the performance area. As music filled the hall, some spectators joined in the dances to familiar tunes, while others gathered to watch and record the moment on their phones.
Visitors moved from one food court to another, and keffiyehs and traditionally embroidered dresses could be seen throughout the hall. For some visitors, the day was dedicated to educating children about Palestine, while for others, it was an opportunity to see familiar sights, clothing, and food again. However, for Aisha, one sight was enough to bring back a lifetime of memories. Seeing the Dome of the Rock again, even in a reconstruction in Dubai, she remembered playing with her late sister, waiting for her brother after prayer, and family dinners.