Amman – The 2025 Ra’i Al-Hidla Camel and Heritage Festival kicked off in the Qatar area of Wadi Araba, as part of the Kingdom's celebrations for the birthday of His Majesty King Abdullah II.
اضافة اعلانAccording to a press statement from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation on Saturday, the event was held under the patronage of Engineer Hisham Al-Haisa, Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority, and in the presence of Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Kuwari, President of the Qatari and Arab Camel Racing Federation. The festival was jointly organized by the Jordanian Camel Racing Association and the Badia Heritage and Arts Association, with participation from the Ma'an Folk Arts Group, amidst a wide official and public attendance.
Al-Haisa stated, “Today, we celebrate our authentic Arab heritage through the Ra’i Al-Hidla Camel and Heritage Festival, which embodies the deep cultural and historical bonds between our peoples. The participation of brothers from various Arab countries reflects our unity in preserving this ancient heritage and ensuring its continuity for future generations.”
He added, “Camel racing is not just a sport, but a civilization heritage that reflects the authenticity and noble values of the desert. It also represents a real opportunity to support and develop local communities, while boosting heritage tourism in Wadi Araba and the Bedouin areas of Jordan. Our support for this event reflects our commitment to investing in heritage as part of our vision for sustainable development. We look forward to this festival becoming a permanent platform for cultural dialogue and communication between peoples, continuing to support such activities that contribute to enhancing national identity and solidifying the values of joint Arab cooperation.”
The festival, which includes participation from several Arab countries, including Qatar, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Iraq, and Libya, featured a celebratory atmosphere that embodied the spirit of cultural and heritage cooperation.
In conjunction with the festival, the Jordan International Camel Racing Championship was held under the theme "Camel Racing: A Popular Heritage and Sustainable Development," as part of efforts to support Bedouin heritage and promote economic development in local communities.
