On the first day of the new year, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) brought the values of the Year of Community to life by organizing a series of integrated celebrations for the workforce across the Emirate of Dubai. The initiative reflected an institutional, human-centred approach rooted in appreciation, community partnership, and the enhancement of quality of life.
The celebrations recorded a total participation exceeding 50,000 participants through both on-ground attendance and virtual participation, with strong turnout observed throughout the first day and a noticeable increase in the number of participants during the second day, demonstrating the success of the hybrid model in expanding reach and engagement. Participants followed the virtual event via their smartphones through the “Blue Connect” application, adopted as the official digital platform for the celebration.
The program featured a rich mix of artistic, cultural, and entertainment segments, alongside visual shows, fireworks, and prize draws with a total value exceeding AED 500,000. The prizes included gold bars, smartphones, and travel tickets, and a draw was held for two cars among the prizes, all within an atmosphere designed to create a space of joy and appreciation worthy of the workforce’s role in Dubai’s development journey.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Permanent Committee for Labor Affairs in Dubai, and with the support of the Diamond Sponsor, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du), in addition to several sponsors and partners who contributed to the organizational, technical, and entertainment aspects. Their involvement highlighted the effectiveness of partnerships in supporting community initiatives with sustainable impact.
From an organizational perspective, the success of the celebrations was driven by extensive logistical coordination with a number of government entities concerned with security, safety, and services. These included Dubai Police, security personnel, emergency medical and ambulance teams, Civil Defense, Dubai Municipality, as well as the active participation of volunteers—ensuring the highest levels of readiness, smooth operations, and participant safety.
In this context, His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, affirmed that organizing these celebrations represents a practical translation of the UAE’s vision in strengthening social cohesion. He noted that the workforce constitutes a fundamental pillar of sustainable development, and that recognizing their efforts is a firmly established institutional responsibility that GDRFA Dubai is committed to embodying through impactful, high-quality initiatives.
For his part, Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Labor Affairs in Dubai, explained that the scale of participation and engagement reflects growing community awareness of the importance of this segment. He emphasized that the celebrations were designed to strengthen the sense of belonging and reinforce the values of partnership and shared responsibility, which stand among the core themes of the Year of Community.
Through these celebrations, GDRFA Dubai reaffirms its ongoing commitment to promoting the values of appreciation, tolerance, and diversity, and to consolidating a community model that places people at the heart of policies and practices, translating the national vision into practical and sustainable initiatives.
