His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan visited the UAE pavilion the day after inaugurating the 16th edition of the El Jadida Horse Show, according to the Emirates News Agency. Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, received the crown prince together with UAE Ambassador to Morocco Al Asri Saeed Ahmed Al Shaheri, Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, director-general of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, executive director of the festivals and events sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. Senior members of the Emirati delegation joined the reception at the pavilion in the Moroccan city.
The UAE pavilion was organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and the Emirates Arabian Horse Society with the participation of several Emirati heritage institutions. Exhibits on display included photographs, publications, traditional attire, fine arts, equestrian equipment and the Studbook of Arabian Horses of the United Arab Emirates. Organisers had also arranged a hospitality majlis to welcome visitors to the space.
At the conclusion of the tour the Moroccan crown prince received a commemorative gift from the Emirati delegation. The gift consisted of a painting depicting UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco along with a copy of the UAE studbook. The exchange underscored the strong fraternal relations between the UAE and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei said that the El Jadida Horse Show, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, provides an important platform to highlight the UAE’s rich heritage. He noted that the event helps introduce younger generations to the role of such traditions in fostering identity and national pride. Al Mazrouei added that the UAE’s participation underscores its commitment to preserving heritage, enhancing its global presence and contributing to international efforts to revive shared traditions.
Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi emphasised that the UAE’s participation reflects the depth of historic relations with Morocco. The director-general of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society pointed to the shared commitment to promoting horsemanship and purebred Arabian horses as a vital part of cultural identity. He stressed that the Emirates Arabian Horse Society remains dedicated to safeguarding the heritage of Arabian horses, maintaining their global standing and working with partners in Morocco and beyond to expand their presence in international forums.
The El Jadida Horse Show has been organised annually since 2008 under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI to develop Morocco’s equine industry and protect its equestrian intangible heritage, the event’s organisers have stated. In 2021, the traditional Tbourida performance was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This edition featured high-level international competitions, exhibitions, workshops and a children’s village focused on introducing young visitors to the kingdom’s equestrian traditions.
Data from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that trade exchange between the UAE and Morocco rose around 30 percent to $1.3 billion in 2023 after the two countries signed a declaration of innovative partnership in Abu Dhabi. Regular UAE participation in the El Jadida event forms one element of broader cultural cooperation that also includes joint equestrian initiatives and heritage exchanges. Such activities continue to reinforce ties across political, economic and cultural fields between the two nations.
