Dubai welcomes Festival of Light

Celebrating Hanukkah, the Judaic Festival of Light, this year saw the first menorahs lit in public displays in the United Arab Emirates.

It is an emblem of the good faith generated by the 15th September signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE. Normalising diplomatic relations has nurtured greater acceptance between Israeli and Emirati citizens.

Often credited as a time when miracles occur, for Rabbi Marc Schneier from the US, this Hanukkah on the Gulf is divine providence.

Rabbi: "And celebrating Hanukkah here in Dubai, in 2020, I have to salute God's miracle workers, who are greatly responsible for making this modern day miracle happen."

To Israeli Businessman Gil Gurevitch, it symbolises the wider aspirations for a mixing of cultures.

Gil: "It's a dream come true and it's a miracle and this is Hanukkah, it's to light candle that will be light. It says 'hor', 'hor' in Hebrew and this is what just happened. It's made 'hor' and I hope this peace, Inshallah, will bring all the Israeli here and all the Emirates there."

The Dubai hotel has allocated 50 rooms, a sabbath elevator and kosher restaurant for Gurevitch's guests, enabling them to celebrate the Sabbath in holiday style.

Adding a finishing touch, Gurevitch has even graced every room with its own mezuzah, customarily placed at the doorposts of Jewish residences, to give the rooms a feeling of home.

Rabbi Schneier reflected on the achievement that this Hanukkah represents for Israeli and Emirati communities.

Rabbi: "It has tremendous meaning and significance to actually participate, to witness, to experience the miracle of Gulf-Israel relations and the exponential growth of Jewish life here in Dubai."

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