ABU DHABI // Camels owned by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the President’s Representative, have won top prizes in the camel ‘mazayna’ beauty contest at this year’s Al Dhafra Festival.

Sheikh Sultan’s camels won the Aayel category for the golden-red camel breed, originally from Oman. Camels belonging to Khamis Al Mazrouie scooped the Majahim category, the black camels of Saudi Arabia.

Held in Madinat Zayed in Al Gharbia from December 13 to 29, the 10th edition of Al Dhafra Festival was organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed crowned the winners on Thursday.

“The UAE leadership is committed to fostering and supporting heritage and cultural events, including the Al Dhafra Festival, which has become instrumental to educate young generations about their country’s indigenous heritage, traditions and culture, and how to safeguard those,” he said.

The two-week event also serves as an important channel to make future generations familiar with their traditions and cultural heritage. The Al Dhafra Festival continues to attract lovers of heritage from across generations, organisers said.

It draws visitors from different nationalities and offers them an opportunity to get acquainted with the main aspects of the UAE’s national identity.

The event has earned a prestigious position, both regionally and globally, on the calendar of heritage festivals and contributes to the revival of Arab heritage, said Wam, the state news agency.

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