In a move to acknowledge and celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali, certain schools in the UAE will be providing an extended weekend to students. However, due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, on-campus celebrations will be toned down.
Gems Our Own Indian School, in a circular to parents, announced that the school will be closed on Friday, November 10, and Monday, November 13, providing students with a four-day weekend.
Lalitha Suresh, the school’s principal, stated that this extended break would give families ample time to celebrate Diwali together.
“Diwali celebrations in school will be low-key this year, with activities limited to educational class assemblies. We have informed our students about the regional situation, and we have encouraged them to celebrate Diwali by donating to the Emirates Red Crescent campaign,” Suresh told Khaleej Times.
She referred to the “Tarahum – for Gaza” relief campaign initiated by the UAE to aid Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. Numerous UAE residents have contributed to this drive, resulting in the Emirates Red Crescent sending essential relief materials to Gaza.
On the other hand, Shining Star International, an Abu Dhabi-based school, has decided to cancel all major celebrations this year. The school’s principal, Abhilasha Singh, expressed concern for the devastating conditions in Gaza and mentioned that celebrating at this time seemed inappropriate. Instead, the school has focused on essential parts of the curriculum and is collectively praying for peace in the region.
Similarly, Sharjah Indian School has given the day off for Diwali but has called off all festivities. Pramod Mahajan, the principal, emphasized that the students’ council has been mindful of the situation.
Throughout the UAE, schools have set up collection boxes for parents and students to donate essential items, such as food, blankets, tents, soap bars, toothpaste, women’s hygiene products, diapers, and wet wipes, to help civilians in Gaza.
Gems Education had earlier sent a communication to schools, suspending all celebratory events until further notice. Given the ongoing conflict in the region, the organization deemed such events inappropriate. This suspension includes religious celebrations like Diwali, as well as Christmas events and parties.
It is commendable to see these schools prioritizing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and taking steps to raise awareness among students about the situation. The hope is for peace and an end to the crisis in the region.
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