News DeskDubai: Under the banner of the UAE’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Community,” the Ismaili Centre Dubai hosted a Ramadan Suhoor gathering on Thursday, uniting diplomats, community leaders, and organizations to foster dialogue and global solidarity. The event, attended by Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Envoy to the UAE, alongside representatives from Kenya, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and Expo City Dubai, underscored the Emirates’ commitment to inclusivity and cross-cultural cooperation.
Centered on the theme of building resilient global communities, the evening featured a panel discussion titled “Building Bridges and Strengthening Global Communities in the UAE Year of Community 2025.” Moderated by Nadia Verjee, Executive Director of Expo City Dubai, the dialogue drew inspiration from the vision of UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Ambassador Tirmizi emphasized Pakistan’s decades-long contributions to the UAE’s development, particularly in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
“From the 1960s onward, Pakistani professionals have played a pivotal role in shaping the UAE’s progress,” stated Tirmizi, applauding the Emirates’ leadership for prioritizing communal unity. He also lauded initiatives like the Pakistan Medical Centre in Dubai, which offers free healthcare to patients of all nationalities, and praised the AKDN’s humanitarian efforts, noting their “dedication to uplifting lives beyond borders of faith or origin.”
Aziz Merchant, President of the UAE Ismaili Community, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the AKDN’s ethos of compassion and volunteerism. “Service to humanity knows no discrimination,” he remarked, reaffirming the network’s mission to drive social and economic progress globally.
The Suhoor gathering symbolized the UAE’s role as a melting pot of cultures, with attendees hailing the nation’s model of unity in diversity. Samuel Kinyanjui, Kenya’s First Counsellor, emphasized the importance of such platforms in strengthening international ties.
As the UAE strides into its “Year of Community,” the event served as a testament to the power of collaborative action and shared values in addressing global challenges, setting a hopeful tone for initiatives aimed at fostering lasting solidarity.
