Iraqi community and Emiratis gather at second UAE Loves Iraq event in Dubai
The second UAE Loves Iraq celebration took place at Expo City Dubai on 17 October, with music, food and landmark-inspired displays. Outlets differ on attendance: The National says hundreds, Gulf News more than 15,000.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2The second edition of the UAE Loves Iraq event (called "Emirates Loves Iraq" by Gulf News) was held at Expo City Dubai on Saturday 17 October, bringing Iraqi residents and Emirati guests together to celebrate Iraqi heritage. The NationalN “The second UAE Loves Iraq event brought Iraqi families and Emirati guests together for a celebration of Iraqi culture” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “for the second edition of “Emirates Loves Iraq,” a celebration filled with traditional music, food, cultural displays, and memories of home” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2Attendance is reported differently: The National says "hundreds of members of the Iraqi community" came, while Gulf News says more than 15,000 people gathered at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai. The NationalN “Hundreds of members of the Iraqi community in the UAE came together at Expo City Dubai on Saturday” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “more than 15,000 have gathered at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on October 17” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2The programme included traditional music, folk performances, Iraqi food, an art exhibition and a children's area, with installations inspired by Iraqi landmarks. The NationalN “featuring traditional music, food and displays inspired by some of the country's most recognisable landmarks” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “Traditional Iraqi food, an art exhibition, and a dedicated children’s area featuring heritage-inspired activities added to the experience.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1Gulf News describes an entrance inspired by the Ishtar Gate, a recreation of Al Mutanabbi Street, an installation drawing on the Malwiya Minaret of Samarra, and photo zones for Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Babylon, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Gulf NewsN “An entrance inspired by the historic Ishtar Gate has welcomed guests, while a recreation of Al Mutanabbi Street”“Interactive photo zones have showcased the cultural and architectural identities of Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Babylon, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended and spoke, saying the event expressed Iraqis' love for the UAE and the UAE's love for Iraq. The NationalN “"This celebration for the Iraqi community in the UAE expresses their love for the UAE and the love of the UAE for Iraq," he said.” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has attended the celebration” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2According to The National, he praised Iraq's heritage as the birthplace of civilisation and said the UAE is committed to supporting Iraq's progress. Gulf News adds that Samer Salman Abed, acting consul-general of Iraq in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, attended, along with diplomats and figures from business, culture and society. The NationalN “"Iraq is working towards peace and prosperity, and the UAE is committed to supporting Iraq's progress. The UAE loves Iraq."” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “alongside Samer Salman Abed, acting consul-general of Iraq in Dubai and the Northern Emirates” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1Rashed Al Tamimi, director of Emirates Loves, told Gulf News the aim was to build on the first edition and make the event inclusive for all ages and backgrounds, including non-Iraqis. The event also honoured Iraqi residents who contributed in fields such as medicine, academia, culture, the arts, architecture and business. Gulf NewsN “According to Rashed Al Tamimi, director of Emirates Loves, the aim has been to build on the success of the first edition”“the event has honoured Iraqi residents who made notable contributions in medicine, academia, culture, the arts, architecture, and business” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Entertainers named by Gulf News included singers Rahma Riad and Mahmoud Al Turki and content creators Loay Sahi, Mina Al Shaikhly and Zainab Al Eqabi. Gulf NewsN “performances by singers Rahma Riad and Mahmoud Al Turki, along with content creators Loay Sahi, Mina Al Shaikhly, and Zainab Al Eqabi” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2Attendees quoted by both outlets, long-term residents and younger people alike, said the event let them reconnect with Iraqi culture and feel at home in the UAE; one, Mohammed Al Tawaiji, said "My soul is Iraqi and my heart is Emirati." The NationalN “"I never felt that I was a stranger here. My soul is Iraqi and my heart is Emirati," he told The National.” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN ““It's very nice of the UAE and Emirates Loves to do this Iraq event for us and it really warms our hearts. I feel at home here,”” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1The National also spoke to an Emirati writer, Ibrahim Ali Binhatem, who married an Iraqi woman and named their daughter Baghdad. The NationalN “he eventually married an Iraqi woman and named their daughter Baghdad, after the Iraqi capital” Read at The National ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets tell a warm community-celebration story built on attendee quotes and the UAE minister's remarks about friendship between the two countries.
- Emphasis
- The National focuses on personal stories and Sheikh Nahyan's praise of Iraq; Gulf News adds scale, venue design, the organiser, the Iraqi diplomat and honourees.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet reports any criticism or political context; they give different attendance figures without addressing the gap.
- Charged language
- “brotherly nations”“home sweet home”
- For example
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“the gathering was designed to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries” — The National
““Relations between countries don't thrive only on a political level, but also on a community level.” — Gulf News
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The second edition took place at Expo City Dubai on 17 October 2026.
- Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended and spoke.
- The event featured Iraqi music, food and landmark-inspired displays.
- Attendees described feeling at home in the UAE while reconnecting with Iraqi culture.
Where accounts differ
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Attendance
- Centre
- The National reports hundreds of members of the Iraqi community; Gulf News reports more than 15,000 people.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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'My soul is Iraqi, my heart is Emirati': Iraqi community comes together in celebration in Dubai
Sympathetic Human-interest piece centred on Iraqi residents' sense of belonging in the UAE and the minister's praise of Iraq.
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‘It warms our hearts’: Over 15,000 people celebrate Iraq in Dubai
Celebratory Large-scale event report stressing crowds, immersive Iraqi-heritage displays and UAE hospitality, with organiser and attendee voices.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 17 Oct 17:13 First The NationalN 'My soul is Iraqi, my heart is Emirati': Iraqi community comes together in celebration in Dubai
- 17 Oct 18:11 +59m Gulf NewsN ‘It warms our hearts’: Over 15,000 people celebrate Iraq in Dubai
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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