Athar Festival Launches In Abu Dhabi With Family Experiences Supporting The“Mother Of The Nation Endowment For Orphans”

(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) The family-oriented entertainment and charity event will take place from 25 to 29 March 2026

Abu Dhabi, March 2026: The Endowments and Minors’ Funds Authority – Awqaf Abu Dhabi announced the launch of the Athar Festival, a vibrant family-friendly event bringing together visitors of all ages in an atmosphere rooted in generosity and giving. The festival will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi from 25 to 29 March 2026, with proceeds supporting the“Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans” initiative, launched by Awqaf Abu Dhabi during the Holy Month of Ramadan under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, which raised AED 3.3 billion.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse programme of shows, entertainment experiences, and creative workshops, alongside a range of retail offerings. Proceeds from ticket sales and festival activities will support endowment programmes and initiatives dedicated to orphan care. The festival offers a dynamic environment that fosters interaction and social connection, while enabling visitors to extend meaningful support to orphans across the community. This year, the festival carries added significance as it aligns with the Year of Family, reinforcing its direct social impact and strengthening values of cohesion, solidarity, and collective responsibility.

“The Athar Festival represents an advanced model of contemporary endowment, where we transform community engagement and family joy into sustainable giving that delivers direct benefit to society,” said H.E. Fahad Abdulqader Al Qassim, Director General of Awqaf Abu Dhabi.“Endowment is not merely a form of temporary support, but a comprehensive system that ensures sustainability of impact and long-term empowerment of beneficiaries. The festival holds particular importance this year as it coincides with the Year of Family, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s firm commitment to strengthening family cohesion, reinforcing social responsibility, and engaging all segments of society in impactful humanitarian initiatives.”

H.E. Al Qassim added:“We invite members of our community to visit the Athar Festival and express the deeply rooted social values of UAE society, as every contribution makes a meaningful difference and helps plant seeds of hope for a better future. In the Year of Family, Awqaf Abu Dhabi reaffirms its commitment to supporting our wider family - the UAE community - through initiatives that benefit the most vulnerable groups in society.”

The Athar Festival embodies a valuable social dimension that reflects its humanitarian and developmental philosophy, highlighting how each visit contributes to amplifying support and building a more stable future for the community. It demonstrates how family entertainment can serve as an effective platform for giving and charitable action, while ensuring that proceeds are invested through a sustainable endowment model that continues to support beneficiaries for years to come. This reflects the enduring spirit of generosity embedded in UAE society and advances Awqaf Abu Dhabi’s vision of engaging both the community and business sector in initiatives that deliver tangible and lasting social impact.

The festival will feature a comprehensive programme of cultural, educational, and entertainment activities designed for all family members, alongside platforms that support small businesses and entrepreneurs, contributing to the local economy and enhancing community engagement. Proceeds and contributions generated through the festival will be directed to the endowment and invested through an approved mechanism overseen by Awqaf Abu Dhabi, ensuring sustainable long-term returns that support education, healthcare, social empowerment, and other initiatives with direct humanitarian impact, further reinforcing endowment as an effective and sustainable development tool.

Community members of all ages can visit the festival and purchase tickets at the event venue.

About Awqaf Abu Dhabi:

Established in May 2023, Awqaf Abu Dhabi promotes and advances the practice of endowment (waqf), maximising social and financial impact across the community through sustainable investments and partnerships.

In addition to overseeing endowment-related processes, Awqaf Abu Dhabi manages the financial guardianship and development of the funds of minors, interdicted persons and others, supporting greater financial and social inclusion.

Awqaf Abu Dhabi aims to strengthen the culture of endowments, and organises events, conferences, and seminars focused on the governance, management and investment of endowments and minors’ funds, while contributing to the evolution of endowment practices across the Emirate.

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