Sheikh Mohammed meets participants of ‘Camel Trek’ in Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met participants of the annual “Camel Trek” at the Seih Al Salam area of Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve in Dubai.

The camel trekkers were heading to the Heritage Village in Global Village after embarking on a continuous 12-day journey through the UAE desert, starting from the Arada area in Abu Dhabi and concluding in Dubai.

The 10th edition of the annual event was organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the progress of the journey, led by Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre.

The expedition comprised 37 participants representing 16 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Yemen, India, China, Australia, Mexico, Russia, Belarus and the UAE.

The participants journeyed a total distance of 557 km, commencing their trek from Arada and traversing diverse locations across the UAE desert before concluding at the Heritage Village in Global Village, WAM reported.

Bin Dalmook said that the launch of the event was inspired by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s vision and directives to promote tolerance, understanding and coexistence.

“The meeting between His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the participants in the 10th edition of ‘Camel Trek’ underscores the commitment to upholding authentic values and principles, preserving the Emirati heritage and promoting the principles of tolerance, understanding and coexistence that define our nation,” he said.

In 2021, a caravan of 29 camel trekkers from 21 countries participating in the 8th Camel Trek had a surprise meeting with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid on their last leg of the trek.

The camel trekkers were set to reach Expo 2020 Dubai but before reaching their final destination, they got a surprise meeting His Highness at Seeh Al Salam.

In the video shared by HHC on its social media account, Sheikh Mohammed was seen waving at the camel trek participants on the success of their trip. He also spoke with Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, who led the camel trekkers composed of Emiratis Batool Hassan Ghaith, Hakima Hassan Ghaith, Khawla Al Blooshi and Saeed Mohammad Rais. They were joined by Howard Leedham from UK; Madawi Alahmad  form Saudi Arabia; Andreas Wim Deges, Paulin Piesker, Emilia Piesker from Germany; Meriam Sehrewerdi from USA; Prijumon K Dominic, Bilal Gulammohiddin Palekar, and Ammar Ahmed from India; Nicola Bettio and Nicole Busetto  from Italy; Joost Verploeg from The Netherlands; Mohamed Amehdar from France; Renate Antolkovich from Austria; Claudia Granberg from Nicaragua; Jana Vintrova from Czech Republic, Laura Ezzat from Estonia; Mariska Verploeg from Brazil; Monika Teresa from Poland; Ann Carine from Belgium; Silke Pfitzer from South Africa; David Pescador from Spain; Amina Samy from Egypt; Geul Bang from South Korea; and Nathaniel Alapide from The Philippines.

Bin Dalmook had thanked the support and inspiration given by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in promoting the UAE’s cultural heritage in the framework of spreading peace and tolerance among the different peoples and cultures of the world.

He had said that it is only fitting that the final destination of the camel trek was at Expo 2020 Dubai. “It is a matter of pride and honour that we showcase the UAE’s cultural heritage at the world’s biggest stage,” he had underlined.

In 2020, Sheikh Mohammed met the participants of the camel trip organised annually by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre on its way to the Dubai’s Heritage Village in Global Village.

The new trekkers had greeted the Dubai Ruler and shared light moments with him.