The Athar Festival has successfully concluded its 2026 edition at Manarat Al Saadiyat, marking a significant milestone in combining entertainment with meaningful social impact.
Held from March 25 to 29 during the holy month of Ramadan, the festival attracted an impressive 13,500 visitors and featured over 120 cultural, educational, and entertainment activities. The event also provided a dedicated platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs, contributing to local economic growth and encouraging community engagement.
A key highlight of the festival was its fundraising achievement, generating a total of AED17 million. The entire amount will be directed to the Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans, under the supervision of the Endowments and Minors’ Funds Authority - Awqaf Abu Dhabi. These funds will be invested through a structured endowment model to ensure sustainable, long-term support for orphans, including access to education, healthcare, and improved living standards.
His Excellency Fahad Abdulqader Al Qassim praised the festival’s success, highlighting its role in transforming entertainment into a powerful channel for charitable giving. He emphasized that Athar represents a modern approach to endowment, where community participation directly contributes to building a stable future for vulnerable groups.
The success of the festival was further strengthened by the support of key sponsors, including ADQ, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, AD Ports Group, Emirates Development Bank, and ADNOC Group, all of whom played a vital role in supporting the initiative.
The Athar Festival stands as a successful model of integrating family entertainment with philanthropy, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to social cohesion and sustainable development through innovative community-driven initiatives.
