More than 55,000 people turned out at Dubai's Zabeel Park on Saturday night for the second edition of "Emirates Loves Syria," a festival celebrating Syrian culture and the long-standing ties between the UAE and Syria.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended and told the crowd that relations between the two countries are rooted in history and built on mutual respect. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara also addressed the Syrian community in the UAE in a televised message.

Syrian singer Assala Nasri headlined the evening's entertainment, performing for the large crowd that had gathered. Alongside the music, an exhibition featuring interactive photo zones from major Syrian cities gave visitors a closer look at the country's history and heritage.

The festival grounds included 30 stalls for Syrian home-run businesses and about 40 restaurants and kiosks serving traditional Syrian dishes, from kebabs to sweets, drawing steady crowds well into the night. Families also took part in panel discussions and activities organised throughout the park.

During the event, seven prominent Syrians were honoured for their achievements, including actors Mona Wassef and Jamal Suleiman, ophthalmologist Dr Ghassan Altawil, and entrepreneur Mai Alghajari.

Now in its second year, the festival underscores both the scale of the Syrian community living in the UAE and Dubai's role as a hub for large cultural gatherings that bring diaspora communities together with Emirati officials and residents.