Asateer Will Bring Back Arabian Traditions During Ramadan At Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm, the leading entertainment resort destination in the Middle East, will be honouring Ramadan with Asateer, a spectacular beachfront tent where guests will be able to enjoy evenings with family and friends in an ambience of time-honoured traditions. Asateer offers eight dedicated Majlis areas, prayer rooms and complimentary valet parking.

Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and The Palm, Asateer evokes sensations of nostalgia for the golden era of Arabia. Meaning ’myths’, Asateer provides an ambience filled with traditional activities, including card games, chess and backgammon. For a contemporary twist, each Majlis has a playstation and a large television. Throughout the stunning design and contemporary folkloric atmosphere of the tent, guests will be entertained by Oud and Tableh players playing timeless Arabic favourites.

“Last year, Asateer proved to be the ultimate place for family and friends during Ramadan,” commented Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantis, The Palm. “This Ramadan, we look forward to welcoming back the community to honour the Holy Month of Ramadan in Asateer with old favourites and new surprises throughout the tent.”

Guests can enjoy traditional Foul Moudammas and Balila stations, as well as a wide variety of Ramadan fresh juices such as: Jallab, Laban Ayran, Kamr Al Deen and Karkadeh. Guests will be impressed by the new signature dishes this year including Asateer Assorted Manakish, Asateer Kenafah and a Tahina fountain. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy new continental dishes during Suhour including the Asateer Beef Burger, calamari, a variety of Italian and Indian dishes and a mix of international desserts. Guests will also be dazzled as they watch traditional Arabic ice cream being prepared right before their eyes in such favourite flavours as pistachio and rose water. Tempting Arabic sweets such as Osmaliya with Ashta, Katayef and Znoud El Sit will also be on display.

Asateer will offer a traditional Iftar buffet to awaken the senses at AED 165 per person, inclusive of water and Ramadan juices. Children below the age of three years are admitted complimentary, while those children between three and 12 years of age are invited to enjoy Iftar at Asateer for AED 80 per person.

Suhour will be offered nightly from 9pm with an extensive a la carte menu offering classic favourites and new surprises, as well as fresh Ramadan juices. Set menus are also available for groups of 30 guests and above, starting at AED 165 per person.

Guests can also enjoy Iftar and Suhour at Levantine which offers a true taste of Arabia and a variety of cuisines from the region. The set menu can be enjoyed for AED 165 per person inclusive of Ramadan juices and soft beverages. The panoramic show kitchen and elegant atmosphere provides a perfect setting to break the fast.

Kaleidoscope, which features a primarily Mediterranean menu with North African and Indian speciality dishes, will also be offering traditional favourites alongside a range of international dishes. The interactive, open kitchens feature live cooking stations and an impressive Iftar buffet for just AED 185 per person. The restaurant offers an inviting environment that is perfect for families looking to spend Ramadan together.

Guests looking to extend their time at Atlantis can benefit from a special Ramadan package rate of AED 895¹ per room or AED 995¹ per room including Suhour for two. Those looking to enjoy Atlantis and Iftar for two can enjoy a rate of AED 1095¹. Iftar can be enjoyed in Asateer, Levantine or Kaleidoscope. Guests will enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Aquaventure, the region’s largest waterpark and The Lost Chambers, an underwater world, together with preferential rates to swim with Atlantis Dolphins at Dolphin Bay. In addition, younger guests can enjoy a complimentary afternoon session to the Kids Club or Club Rush for teens.

During Ramadan, The Avenues, a sophisticated retail promenade that features over two dozen shops featuring top names in fashion, design and local artistry, will remain open until midnight during weekdays and until 1am on weekends.

Club Rush, the ultimate hang out experience for teens, provides a perfect venue for them to chill out, recharge and make new friends, is offering special Ramadan activities. These include daily Henna sessions, daily family movies at 4pm, in addition to an Arabian Nights Themed Evening (once per week). The Atlantis Kids Club offers a daily supervised activity programme with a focus on adventure, fun and exploration through group play. This Ramadan, kids can enjoy henna/face painting, Ramadan inspired crafts and a daily family open house offered from 8:30pm – 10:30pm.

To create an unforgettable Ramadan experience Atlantis joins Emirates NBD, one of the leading banks in the Middle East, and Infiniti, the youngest luxury automotive brand in the world represented by Arabian Automobiles to create an unforgettable experience in Asateer.

“Customer convenience is a significant driving force at Emirates NBD, and we are constantly looking for partnership opportunities that will enable us to provide customers with greater value-added benefits,” said Saif Al Mansoori, Deputy Head Group Marketing and Branding, Emirates NBD. “This year, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, we are pleased to partner with Atlantis, The Palm and their preferred automobile partner Infiniti to offer customers special car loan packages. Visitors to the Asateer tent can avail of special auto loans from Emirates NBD to invest in a brand new Infiniti.”

“Following its launch last year, Asateer has become one of Dubai’s premium Ramadan venues thanks to its spectacular views back to The Palm and the Dubai shoreline, commented Michel Ayat, CEO of AW Rostamani “Arabian Automobiles Infiniti is delighted to partner with Asateer for the first time where we have worked to subtly integrate the Infiniti brand and give guests the opportunity to test drive the Infiniti product range during their evening’s experience. The notion of the ‘honoured guest’ is central to the Japanese culture of hospitality and we believe this provides a great synergy with the ambience of Asateer. We wish everyone Ramadan Kareem.”
 

Emarati Traditions Come To The Fore With DSS 2010 Min Bladi Al Emarat At Dubai Mall

Min Bladi Al Emarat, a DSS 2010 Signature Event and a festivity showcasing the tradition and culture of UAE, is currently underway at the Gold Souk Atrium at Dubai Mall. Running until July 26, the event portrays numerous aspects of Emarati life through contests. Besides the contests, visitors to Dubai Mall will also be treated to traditional music bands and dance.

"Min Bladi aims at raising awareness amongst visitors, residents, and UAE nationals about the heritage, customs, and traditions of UAE. Our goal through this event is to revive UAE heritage and in the process also create a platform for the exchange of cultures and instill a sense of identity among the young generations. We want to convey to them a clear-cut, all-embracing image of the deep-rooted traditions of our forefathers,” said Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.

Competitions within Min Bladi are categorized as follows:

July 22 – best local food – Harees
Al harees, a savoured dish across UAE, is made mainly from meat and wheat, and is a popular treat during special occasions such as Ramadan, Eid, and weddings.

July 23 – local food – Legyumat
A sweet dish, legyumat is a favourite among Emaratis and expatriates in the UAE. Easy to make, the legyumat balls are fried and topped with date syrup or honey.

July 24 – best henna design
An integral part of life across the GCC and the Indian subcontinent, henna finds favour with the young and old, men and women alike. Min Bladi Al Emarat brings an interesting aspect of henna through henna designing.

July 25 – local food – Aseedha
A sweet dish akin to pudding and made from wheat, wheat flour, clarified butter, and sugar.

July 26 – local food – Khabees
Khabees is again a sweet dish and made up of flour and oil and is commonly served as a traditional dish for breakfasts, especially during Eid.
 

Emarati Traditions Come To The Fore As DSS 2009 Min Bladi Al Emarat Begins July 1

Min Bladi Al Emarat, a DSS 2009 Signature Event and a folkloric festivity showcasing the tradition and culture of UAE, kicks off on Wednesday, July 1, at Dubai Marina Mall, a member of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group. The event is a much-awaited festivity of local traditions and customs and will go on till July 10.

This year’s Min Bladi sees the inclusion of numerous activities in addition to the popular competitions that have been a characteristic of the event since its start. A Heritage Oasis, Traditional Craftsmen, a Hospitality Tent, and Traditional Shows are part of the attractions this year. While these activities will begin on July 1, the competitions will start off on July 6.

Maitha Gobash, Events Services Manager at DSF Office said, "Min Bladi aims at raising awareness amongst visitors, residents, and UAE nationals about the heritage, customs, and traditions of UAE. Our goal through this event is to revive UAE heritage and in the process also create a platform for the exchange of cultures and instill a sense of identity among the young generations. We want to convey to them a clear-cut, all-embracing image of the deeply-rooted traditions of our forefathers."

Competitions within Min Bladi have been categorized as follows:
The competitions for this year are mainly focused on local food and tradition. Contests for the Best Perfume and the Best Harees (local food), will be held on July 6. The following day, contestants will compete in the Best Incense and Best Aseeda (local food) categories.

The Best Balaleeth (local food) contest will be the highlight for July 8 followed by the Best Legyumat (local food) on July 9. The last day of the competition will witness contests in the Best Henna Design and the Best Khabees (local food).