The Endowments and Minors’ Funds Authority – Awqaf Abu Dhabi has launched the Athar Festival, a family-friendly celebration bringing together visitors of all ages in the spirit of generosity and giving. The festival will be hosted at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi from 25 to 29 March 2026.
Visitors can enjoy a diverse programme of shows, entertainment experiences, and creative workshops, alongside a range of retail opportunities. Proceeds from ticket sales and festival activities will support the Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans initiative.
Held under the With You for Life theme, the festival provides a unique space for interaction and social connection, enabling visitors to extend meaningful support to those in need across the community. This year, the festival carries added significance as it aligns with the Year of Family, reinforcing values of family cohesion, social solidarity, and shared responsibility.
His Excellency Fahad Abdulqader Al Qassim, Director General of Awqaf Abu Dhabi, said: “The Athar Festival is a unique platform for endowment, turning community engagement and family celebration into sustainable giving with real societal impact. Endowment ensures lasting impact and long-term empowerment for orphans as opposed to temporary support. The event, aligned with the Year of Family, reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to family cohesion, social solidarity and shared responsibility. We invite community members to visit the Athar Festival as an expression of the values that define UAE society, because every contribution makes a difference. In the spirit of the Year of Family, Awqaf Abu Dhabi reaffirms its commitment to supporting our wider family, the UAE community, through initiatives that deliver meaningful benefits to the most vulnerable segments of society.”
The Athar festival offers activities for all family members alongside platforms that support small businesses and entrepreneurs, contributing to the local economy and enhancing community participation. Festival proceeds will be directed to the endowment and invested through an approved model overseen by Awqaf Abu Dhabi to ensure ongoing support for orphans inside the UAE, in key life areas, including education, healthcare, and social empowerment. This approach reflects the enduring spirit of generosity embedded in UAE society and advances Awqaf Abu Dhabi’s vision of mobilizing the community and the business sector to deliver long-term social impact. The initiative also reinforces the role of endowment as an effective and sustainable social developmental tool.
