Dubai announces Halal Living exhibition

(MENAFN Press) Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of
Dubai, Halal Living, the world’s first Halal consumer lifestyle event,
will open its doors to the public on 15th May 2008 until the 17th May
2008 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC),
said, “The Halal Living event falls in line with Dubai Government’s
Strategy in 2015 for the Emirate to provide a working environment that
attracts knowledge workers and retains expertise. This falls in line
with one of the five strategic areas of focus in Dubai’s strategy. The
Halal Living event provides an alternative option of lifestyle for the
people living, working and visiting Dubai. Halal is a topic that is
very close to the hearts of Muslims. Living in a way that is Halal is
something that permeates all facets of our lives.”

For many
years Dubai has led the region with its projects and initiatives. From
building the world’s largest man-made harbour during the 1970’s and
constructing what is set to be the world’s tallest tower today, to
allowing non UAE nationals the right to own freehold property, the city
has long since demonstrated to the world its forward thinking attitude
and has established itself as the regional hub for business and
tourism.

Having continued to receive worldwide attention
through its top class sporting events and groundbreaking mega
construction projects, Dubai is the natural home for the Halal Living
consumer lifestyle event, the first event of its kind. According to the
Financial Times, the Halal market is currently estimated at US$580
billion and is expected to exceed US$1trillion by 2010. The three day
Halal Living consumer event, will be a showcase for companies across
the region and beyond that offer Halal choices in their products from
such diverse areas as finance, education, fashion, health and home.

HE
Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman continued, “For many years Dubai, the UAE and the
GCC has invited and welcomed individuals and families from across the
globe to make the region their home, and to share in the success of,
our rapidly growing cities. All our visitors and new residents quickly
discover that our communities are vibrant mixes of nationalities and
cultures and the upcoming Halal Living event will give us a great
opportunity to represent our region and showcase our culture.”

“For
us as Muslims the concept of Halal is well known and is a key part of
our religious identity but the concept of a Halal lifestyle is one that
is open to all. For many non-Muslims, especially those seeking for
choices in lifestyle, a Halal lifestyle is an attractive one for a
number of reasons and the Halal Living event will exhibit the choices
and options that are available in Dubai for all those seeking a Halal
lifestyle.”

For the majority of non-Muslims, the term ‘Halal’ is
very well recognised but often misunderstood. One of the Halal Living
consumer lifestyle event’s central aims is education for its attendees
and it will be an event open to all members of our global community.

The
Halal Living event will run from the 15th until 17th of May 2008 in the
Za’abeel Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre and is being supported by DIFC Conferences.