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Ibn Battuta: Creating everlasting memories

Dubai has always been about bringing people together. Our resident retailers are anticipating a flurry of shoppers this Eid. Santosh Kumar finds out more

Ibn Battuta Mall hosted 200 underprivileged children throughout the Holy Month for a fun-filled day in association with Emirates Red Crescent and Rawafed Development & Learning Centre. The youngsters were treated to a specially-curated experience, with personalised offers from retailer Redtag and an Iftar at The Kasap restaurant. This is the fourth consecutive year that Ibn Battuta Mall has hosted children from the centre.
Eid is always a grand festival when all the family members, close friends, and dear relatives meet and celebrate together with great food, amazing gifts, and create everlasting memories. The "festival of breaking the fast" is not just revered for its holy significance, but also for the bonding and celebrations between families and friends.
Dubai has always been about bringing people together, and our resident retailers cannot wait to see the boom during this period anticipating a flurry of shoppers. Let's take a look at what some of our retailers have to say about their preparations for Eid:

Shehbaz Shaikh
Chief Retail Officer of REDTAG
"Our strategy is all about sharing the joy this festive season. We are bringing joy to our customers through our Ramadan Bonanza Promotion, where customers can stand a chance to win weekly cash prizes and mega cash prizes across the GCC.
"Redtag is also more focused on providing fashion solutions for the entire family. Our female customers will have access to The Dress Code collection, which is launched in collaboration with Myriam Fares. The collection features international trends but is customised towards local tastes and requirements.
"The festive collection is not just restricted to fashion. Redtag homeware and festive home decor products will add a magical touch to your celebrations." 
 
Deepak Soni
CEO, Marhaba Jewellery
"We are excited and look forward to the Eid festivities. It will bring in healthy footfall from GCC residents that tend to shop for gold during this month. During Ramadan, many families tend to sell and donate their old gold towards charity, and hence would need to refresh their gold jewellery with fresh designs.
"Coincidentally, this year's Eid falls at a time when schools will be moving towards the summer holidays. So many Asian expat families buy their gold jewellery as gifts for friends and family as they travel back to their home countries."

Debbie Stanford Kristiansen
CEO, Novo Cinemas
"Eid is our biggest time of the year, and we have a great line-up of movies this Eid. Novo Cinemas will be open 24 hours during the EID Super sale - so our beloved cine goers can watch their favourite movies any time of the day and night on the EID weekend. 
"We are also offering free international flights to a destination of your choice! Simply book and register online to be a part of the lucky draw, with Eid releases Rashid and Rajab (An Emirati comedy movie), Hollywood blockbusters (X Men Dark Phoenix, John Wick 3 and The Secret Life of Pets 2), and the most awaited Bollywood Eid blockbuster starring Salman Khan - Bharat! 
"Our retail outlet, Concession Counter is introducing Gourmet Popcorn - EID Special new lip-smacking COOKIE FLAVOUR popcorn in a brand-new package, to add flavour to the movie experience." 

Omar Khoory
Managing Director, Nakheel Malls
Eid is usually celebrated by families getting together, but what about those that do not have anyone to call a family? Ibn Battuta Mall is welcoming 200 orphaned children throughout Ramadan for a fun-filled day of shopping, entertainment and dining - a specially curated experience with personalised offers from retailers, and Iftar at The Kasap restaurant. This is the fourth consecutive year that Ibn Battuta Mall has hosted children from the Centre and is being carried out in association with Emirates Red Crescent and Rawafed Development and Learning Centre.
Ibn Battuta Mall has also partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) this Ramadan - Voices of Refugees - a campaign aimed at raising awareness on the plight of refugees globally.
Khoory noted, "We are delighted to play our part in raising awareness about the plight of refugees through this unique initiative."
Located at India Court, Voices for Refugees showcases the life of a refugee through immersive virtual reality video tours that highlight the effects of humanitarian crises around the world, from 10am to 10pm daily until June 8.

Kabir Lumba
CEO, Max & Director, Landmark Group
"Max Fashion, being the leading value fashion brand in the region, is committed to making fashionable and trendy collections that empower our customers to look good and feel a renewed sense of enthusiasm during this festive month to celebrate with the whole family. 
"This Eid, Max has an exclusive festive edit collection for the whole family from children, women and men's apparel to footwear, accessories and home décor. 
"Customers can shop at any of our stores across the UAE or shop online at maxfashion.com for the favourite festive collection. Eid Mubarak!" 
Santosh Kumar is an airline professional with entrepreneurship in retail before moving onto oil and gas experience, presently engaged in events, media and creative writing.
Abhishek and Aarush from The Winchester School helping orphans with their Eid shopping, along with Shadia Abdullah of the Rawafed Center.