Open iftar event at Windsor. Photo: Acacia Diana
Open iftar event at Windsor. Photo: Acacia Diana
Open iftar event at Windsor. Photo: Acacia Diana
Open iftar event at Windsor. Photo: Acacia Diana


Windsor iftar: a grand display of inclusivity


The National
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March 07, 2025

With regard to Lemma Shehadi's report Windsor Castle hosts its first open iftar (March 3): This is beautiful to see. We can all appreciate harmony among diverse communities.

Asifa Junaid, Dubai

Ramadan overlaps with Lent this year, the Christian period of prayer, fasting and forgiveness. It would be lovely to celebrate both, raising awareness about the significance and deeper meanings in the customs of both religions, in the universal spirit of unity, diversity and acceptance.

Ana Priester, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

I'm grateful to the British royal family for this great event that illustrates inclusivity so well.

Khouloud S, Kuwait

This is great to see and what a setting. It gives one hope in today's times.

Hend Maktari, London, UK

Wonderful to see such wonderful examples of equity and inclusion.

Richard A Scarry, Bristol, UK

The way forward for Gaza

With reference to the editorial The Cairo summit plan for Gaza is the best deal on the table (March 6): It takes both nations to recognise the two-state solution and actively pursue it for it to be a success. At this moment, despite the ceasefire holding, the Israeli government is still preventing the two-state solution from being respected and implemented.

Erwin Van Helden, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Trump's take on US withdrawal from Afghanistan

In reference to the video of Trump saying the US has apprehended the ISIS terrorist suspected of the 2021 bombing at Kabul Airport (March 5): Criticising his predecessor Joe Biden for the calamitous withdrawal of US troops from Kabul is not wrong. I just wish the US President would attend to the outstanding issues of Afghans who worked for the US and face recriminations from the Taliban. As far as US global standing goes, it will be hardly surprising if all America's allies start reducing their dependency on the US for weapons for fear that US support might be withdrawn right in the middle of war, Ukraine being the case in point.

Samuel Terrence, New Jersey, US

Woolly mouse: a harbinger of animals to return?

Regarding Daniel Bardsley's article Woolly mouse unveiled by firm hoping to bring more extinct animals back to life (March 4): Humans seem to have an eternal fascination for tampering with nature. But the point about conservation efforts is valid: that while conservation efforts must continue as they are essential and do reap results, they cannot work as fast and definitely cannot keep pace with genetic engineering, and bringing extinct animals back to life.

Graham Roberts, Chesterfield, UK

Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Updated: March 07, 2025, 3:00 AM`