
SCCI launches a new digital platform for SRF2025
Organised by SCCI in collaboration with local government entities and authorities and private sector institutions, the festival features extensive participation from major shopping centres, retail outlets, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
The newly launched digital platform
, available in both Arabic and English,
embodies the core mission of the Sharjah Ramadan Festival aimed at bolstering the retail sector and enhancing the festive atmosphere and family-friendly entertainment across the emirate during the holy month.
Developed with cutting-edge smart technologies and according to the highest standards, the platform offers users an opportunity to participate in an electronic draw, in addition to seamless access to comprehensive information on the Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2025's agenda. These include promotional, entertainment, and cultural activities, alongside event schedules and locations, ensuring an enriched experience for all visitors.
The digital platform also provides details on the participating shopping malls and the major discounts of up to 75% they offer on a variety of top global brands.
It also serves as a key resource for community members to explore the schedules of competitions and raffle draws
featured by the festival, along with the terms and conditions for participation. The festival presents exciting opportunities for shoppers to win prestigious prizes, including gold bars and an array of shopping vouchers.
In his remarks, Jamal Saeed Bouzanjal, Director of Corporate Communication at SCCI and General Coordinator of the
Sharjah Ramadan Festival, underscored the strategic importance of the newly launched digital platform in facilitating seamless access for visitors and shoppers to the festival's diverse events, promotions, and activities during the holy month of Ramadan.
By enhancing participation and engagement, the platform plays a key role in stimulating the retail sector, driving footfall to shopping malls, central markets, and retail outlets, all of which benefit from the festival's rich artistic and cultural showcases and dynamic marketing activities.
This year's Sharjah Ramadan Festival features a wide range of entertainment, commercial, and cultural events and
activities.
Among the most notable attractions are the 'Al Layah Ramadan Market', 'Ramadan Nights' exhibition, and the "Little Master Chef" contest- a unique platform for young culinary talents. The two-day competition will take place at 06 Mall, where children will showcase their
culinary skills in a lively competition designed to encourage creativity in cooking.
Additionally, the festival features workshops for children to create Ramadan-themed handicrafts and festive decorations. The participating shopping centers will also host a selection of entertainment programmes,
heritage art performances, bazaars, and culinary festivals, further enhancing the festive experience of the holy month of Ramadan.
Furthermore, weekly raffle draws will be held until the end of Eid Al-Fitr, rewarding 45 winners with prestigious prizes, including gold bars and exclusive shopping vouchers.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Abu Dhabi unveil new horror film by Emirati director
22 June 2025 22:41 Abu Dhabi (ALETIHAD)Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Academy Award-winning film and entertainment studio, have announced the release their next psychological horror-thriller "HOBA", a new feature film by critically acclaimed Emirati filmmaker Majid Al the first Arabic-language Emirati film under the Spooky Pictures and Image Nation slate, HOBA marks a significant step forward for regional genre storytelling. The film is set for release in the UAE on October ("The Vile" in English) tells the story of a devoted wife and mother whose life begins to unravel when her husband returns home with a second wife and an unseen darkness infiltrates her Ross, CEO of Image Nation, said: "HOBA is a bold and compelling film that demonstrates the power of local storytelling on a global stage. We're proud to work with Majid Al Ansari once again and to bring forward a genre film that challenges, disturbs and deeply moves."Steven Schneider, co-founder of Spooky Pictures added: "HOBA is exactly the kind of film we love to champion at Spooky Pictures - intimate, unnerving and emotionally rich. Majid Al Ansari has crafted a story that's both deeply rooted in its cultural context and universally haunting. We're excited to be part of a project that pushes the boundaries of psychological horror while introducing audiences to a powerful up-and-coming voice in genre filmmaking."Starring Emirati actress Bdoor Mohammed ("Blood Wedding", "25 Fils") in the lead role as the first wife, Amani, the film also features Saudi artist and filmmaker Sarah Taibah ("Jameel Jeddan", "Night Courier") as the enigmatic second wife, talent Iman Doghoz ("Makr", "Kaboos") portrays Amani's vulnerable daughter, while Emirati actor Jassem AlKharraz (Zawaj Ella Roba'a, Ala Gad Alhal, Wadima and Halima) plays her father, the cast brings to life a deeply resonant story about family bonds, emotional conflict and the unseen forces that test by horror genre veterans Roy Lee ("Barbarian", "It"), Steven Schneider ("Insidious", "Paranormal Activity"), Derek Dauchy ("Late Night with the Devil", "The Plague") and Rami Yasin ("Hokum") the film blends supernatural tension with culturally grounded storytelling, offering a uniquely regional take on universal fears. Mohamed Hefzy ("Flight 404", "Voy! Voy! Voy!") is executive marks a return to the genre for Majid Al Ansari, whose breakout debut "Zinzana" earned international acclaim and became the first Arab language film acquired by Netflix. Known for blending bold visual style with emotionally charged storytelling, Al Ansari continues to push boundaries in Arab cinema, offering audiences globally resonant narratives grounded in regional Ansari said: "With HOBA, I wanted to tell a story that feels both intimate and unsettling; one that explores real emotional experiences through the lens of genre. It's about love, fear and resilience, and what happens when the familiar turns unfamiliar, when the people we trust most begin to feel like strangers."Hoba is part of a slate of upcoming projects from Spooky Pictures and Image Nation including Charlie Polinger's "The Plague" starring Joel Edgerton, which recently premiered in Cannes' prestigious Un Certain Regard competition, Randall Okita's "Menace" starring Isabel May, and Damian Mc Carthy's "Hokum", starring Adam Scott. Majid Al Futtaim - Vox Independent Distribution is handling the theatrical release for UAE, with Film Clinic handling the rights for post-theatrical in MENA, and AGC International handling the rights for the rest of the world.


Broadcast Pro
12 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Egyptian artists ride streaming wave to global success, Spotify report reveals
The report highlights a fivefold increase in royalties earned by Egyptian artists on Spotify since 2022, with a 100% jump from 2023 to 2024 alone. Egyptian musicians are making major strides on the global stage, driven by the power of streaming. To mark World Music Day, Spotify has released its Loud & Clear report in Egypt for the first time, offering insight into how local artists are benefiting from the rise of digital platforms and expanding their international reach. According to the report, royalties earned by Egyptian artists on Spotify have increased more than fivefold since 2022, with a 100% rise between 2023 and 2024 alone. The sharp year-on-year increase highlights growing listener engagement with Egyptian music — both at home and abroad — and reflects the continued evolution of streaming into a key source of income for artists. Mark Abou Jaoude, Spotify's Head of Music for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, said: 'This is a pivotal moment for Egyptian music. The growth we're seeing goes beyond numbers — it signals a real shift in how artists are building audiences, careers, and cultural impact. Streaming is playing a key role in that transformation, creating new ways for artists to be heard and discovered, both locally and globally. What we've shared in Loud & Clear reflects this momentum — and it's only the start.' Independent artists are leading the charge. In 2024, over 90% of royalties generated by Egyptian artists came from those working independently or with indie labels — one of the highest rates globally. Genres like Mahraganat and Egyptian hip-hop, once considered underground, now dominate local streaming charts and shape the evolving identity of Egyptian music. Internationally, Egyptian artists are finding eager audiences. In 2024, more than 80% of the royalties earned came from outside Egypt, with significant traction in countries like the US, UK, Germany, Brazil, India and Indonesia. Egyptian music was discovered more than 480m times by first-time listeners on Spotify that year, reflecting a booming global interest in Arabic-language sounds. The momentum is also local. Within Egypt, Spotify streams of Egyptian music jumped more than 70% in 2024. Since Spotify's regional launch in 2018, domestic listening has grown nearly 450%, with over 80% of tracks in Spotify Egypt's Daily Top 50 chart created by Egyptian artists. Spotify's report also notes the growing global presence of Arabic as a musical language, ranking it among the fastest-growing languages on the platform in 2024. This rise supports Egypt's role at the forefront of Arabic music's global evolution. In addition to streaming exposure, Spotify is bolstering artist development through initiatives like RADAR Arabia, EQUAL Arabia, and curated playlists such as Fresh Finds Arabia. These programmes help spotlight emerging talent while providing tools and analytics through Spotify for Artists to support long-term growth. The report arrives amid a music boom across the Middle East and North Africa, with the region named the fastest-growing recorded music market in the world in 2024, according to the IFPI Global Music Report. Streaming was the primary growth engine, accounting for 99.5% of regional revenue. With rising global demand and increased support for creators, Egyptian artists are turning digital momentum into cultural influence — and building sustainable careers in the process.


Gulf Today
13 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Chamber, Kazakhstan Consulate discuss strengthening strategic partnerships between private sectors
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) engaged in discussions with the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to explore ways to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries. The meeting emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships between business communities and private sector institutions to leverage high-potential investment opportunities across diverse industries in both nations. The discussions were held during an official visit by Almaz Tasbolat, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Dubai, to the Sharjah Chamber's headquarters, where he was received by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI. The meeting was attended by Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI, and Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations Department at SCCI, along with several officials from both sides. During the meeting, both sides explored ongoing cooperation between Sharjah and Kazakhstan, focusing on strategies to advance economic ties through the exchange of trade delegations and the coordination of sector-specific exhibitions and events. These efforts aim to facilitate access to investment prospects for companies and investors in both markets. The discussions also highlighted priority sectors that offer strong potential for collaboration, with the real estate sector taking particular prominence. In his remarks, H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to enhancing trade and investment relations with Kazakhstan and facilitating high-quality services that support the success of Kazakh enterprises operating in Sharjah. He encouraged Kazakh companies to explore the emirate's investment landscape, highlighting its pro-business regulatory environment, robust infrastructure, and strategic geographic location as key drivers of sustainable growth. WAM