Dubai Unites for Gaza: Ongoing Initiatives Bring Hope

Numerous ongoing and upcoming initiatives, from art workshops to exclusive lunches, reflect Dubai’s commitment to supporting Gaza.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, Dubai is rallying together to provide crucial support to those in need. Numerous businesses and restaurants have pledged their profits to aid the war-torn city, and events continue to be organised to generate funds for humanitarian efforts. Among the initiatives is the ‘Gather for Gaza’ campaign, a collaborative effort between Soul Collective DXB, Emirates Red Crescent and the Little Wings Foundation.

The inaugural ‘Gather for Gaza’ event, held on October 30, showcased 10 Dubai-based food brands, featured several Palestinian artists and drew the support of over 300 attendees. The event raised an impressive AED 125,000, demonstrating the community’s overwhelming generosity. A follow-up event at Honeycomb Hi-Fi, centred on curated music by resident DJs Tariq Omar, eLo, BCM and Jayesh, further contributed to the cause.

As Dubai continues to mobilise resources and support, these initiatives stood as a testament to the city’s commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected in Gaza.

The award-winning Balkan ‘soul-food’ bistro, 21grams, hosted a ‘Gather for Gaza’ event on November 8 that was a resounding success, attracting a vibrant crowd with ticket prices ranging from AED 500 to AED 1,000. Promising an evening of ‘soul food with community spirit,’ the fundraising dinner, attended by Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef, raised nearly AED 70,000 in just two days, thanks to the overwhelming support of the community.

On November 3, MICHELIN Green Star restaurant Teible collaborated with Universal Bakes and Café in Tokyo for “Hearts for Harvest”, offering a diverse vegan menu created with seasonal local ingredients and thoughtfully sourced items. The event, aimed at channelling proceeds to support Gaza, successfully provided an exquisite vegan feast while amplifying a message of solidarity and hope for the region.

For every visitor to Downtown Design, the leading fair for contemporary design in the Middle East held from November 8 to 11, AED 50 was donated to Emirates Red Crescent. The donation came from the AED 25 entry fee and a matching contribution by Art Dubai Group.

Upcoming Events in Support of Gaza:

Emirates Literature Foundation Community Events (Starting November 10):
Participate in community events organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation, dedicated to the Tarahum for Gaza campaign. The first event, “Gentle Steps, Guided Words”, involves a meditative walk and a writing workshop. Gain admission by making an AED 250 donation to the Emirates Red Crescent campaign.

Maiz Tacos ‘Paint Palestine Workshop’ (November 14):

Not part of ‘Gather for Gaza’, Palestinian-owned Maiz Tacos continues its support by pledging profits and hosting a workshop, with proceeds donated to the Tarahum for Gaza effort.

Zinn café & bistro (November 14):

On November 14, Zinn café & bistro will host a Palestinian-inspired sharing style dinner to raise funds for medical assistance for Gaza’s children. The entire ticket value will be donated to Little Wings in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation.

Dukkan El Baba, Tecom, Dubai (Ongoing):

Dukkan El Baba, Tecom, Dubai (Ongoing): Lebanese-Syrian restaurant Dukkan El Baba offers free meals to patrons donating AED 150 to any Palestinian relief fund, supporting the cause from 9 am to 10 pm.

Additional fundraising events are in the pipeline, with more and more restaurants and businesses gearing up for their own initiatives.

DSCVR: Dubai Unites for Gaza: Ongoing Initiatives Bring Hope. @emiratesrc