photo: Al jazera
New Year celebrations in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in Sharjah, have been called off as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.
Sheikha Jawahar Bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, the wife of Sharjah’s Ruler and Chairperson of the Women Sports Council, shared this announcement on her Twitter account, stating that all festivities are canceled to stand in unity with the Palestinian community.
Furthermore, the Sharjah Police Department declared a ban on fireworks during New Year’s Eve as a demonstration of support for those living in the Gaza Strip. This decision follows previous demonstrations of solidarity, where Hindus and Christians in the UAE showed support for Palestinian Muslims during Diwali and Christmas by opting for more modest celebrations.
The distressing situation in Gaza persists, with over 21,000 Palestinian casualties, including thousands of women and children, due to the sustained Israeli military actions lasting for two and a half months. The decision to cancel celebrations aims to symbolize the UAE’s solidarity with the people affected by these ongoing conflicts.
