'Iftar Bowl' festival in the desert of Sharjah, gathering of 2 thousand people

As always, the Gani Iftar festival 'Iftar Bowl' was held in the Rafidah desert of Sharjah, one of the emirates (states) of the United Arab Emirates. More than 2,000 people crammed into 750 desert vehicles from different parts of the emirate to attend the festival on Thursday.

In addition to Emirati citizens, citizens of at least 38 countries are said to be at the festival.

For those drivers who like to travel and drive in desert and mountainous areas, there is an organization called 'Arabian Offroaders' for those amateur drivers (offroaders) in the Emirates. This organization is the main organizer of the event called 'Iftar Bowl'. Shahar Sarwar, one of the organizers of Arabian Offroaders, said that they have been organizing Iftar Bowl since 1991.

In response to a question, Shahar said, "From 1991, offroaders started traveling to different deserts in the Emirates. Naturally the Rafidah desert was also on their list. At one point in their journey through the sand dunes and dunes of Rafidah, they discovered a place in the desert like Baul or Gamla. Then that year, the first Mass Iftar was organized there. Since then we have been organizing this event every year during Ramadan.

"Initially there were very few people. Only citizens of the Emirates and neighboring Arab countries used to come to this event. But over the past few years, people have been growing, including people from outside the Middle East; And now not only Muslims, many non-Muslims are also coming to Iftar Bowl. People from at least 38 countries have registered in our organization to come to this year's Iftar Bowl.

Saeed Kilani, another organizer of Arabian Offroaders, said that the main attraction of those who come to the 'Iftar Bowl' event is the unique natural beauty here.

The sand dunes, surrounded by high dunes and wide plains are not only beautiful to look at, but also ideal for large gatherings. This area looks spectacular especially in the afternoon or evening. So many people are interested in having Iftar here with their family members and friends.

Jamil Jamal, the organizer of Dubai Four X Four, an organization of offroaders based in Dubai, brought his family and friends to the Iftar Bowl. He told Gulf News, "Iftar Bowl is actually a big meeting place. I come to this event every year with family-relatives-friends-friends. As far as I know, representatives of all offroader organizations in the Emirates are present at this year's Iftar Bowl.

People started arriving in Rafida by car before noon on Thursday. Every year in the desert area where Iftar Bowl is organized, they started sitting in groups after noon. According to the rules of fasting, they break fast at sunset, pray and different groups share their iftar, tea and coffee with each other.

Many came with plans to stay there for the night after Iftar. For that, they brought the necessary food and tent with them.

Shahar Sarwar, the senior organizer of Arabian Offroaders, told Gulf News that those who come to this event must fulfill one condition; That is - food leftovers, plastic packets, cans or any kind of waste cannot be left here. After iftar, all the waste should be cleaned on your own initiative and taken with you.

"When we leave, we want to leave only our memories and footprints here. Nothing else," Shahar told Gulf News.