The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted various traditions in the UAE, including the intimacy of majlis - regular gatherings between the country's rulers and their people. Held in various places including palaces and tents, the rituals of majlis include greetings with warm hugs, discussions of ideas and important announcements.

"Few Emirati traditions are older than that of the majlis, as regular gatherings between the country's rulers and their people are known," English-daily 'The National' wrote in its recent editorial.

Significantly, a paramount majlis was held in Abu Dhabi's Sea Palace on Wednesday in person and indoors. At the conclusion of the gathering, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, announced that the UAE has "overcome the COVID-19 crisis". In his statement, His Highness called for return to normalcy across the UAE while adjusting to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a global challenge.

A number of people in attendance at the gathering were following social distancing protocol while they were not wearing masks. Sheikh Mohamed praised it as a remarkable development in the UAE's fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thank God for everything and for seeing you all... I am blessed to see your kind faces today", he said.

In his message to all UAE residents, he announced that the health condition in the UAE is good. Furthermore, he stated that the clear evidence of the UAE overcoming the pandemic crisis can be seen in the consistent decline in new infections since June. The UAE witnessed 18-month low of 156 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday.

In addition, UAE's efficient health sector conducted more than 85.5 million PCR tests and administered over 20.2m vaccine doses across the recovery. Leading sectors across the UAE are gradually recovering from the pandemic repercussions. On Tuesday, Emirates airline president also expressed high hopes towards return to profitability as early as during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Sheikh Mohamed further expressed condolences to those who lost their loved ones to the COVID-19 virus. Amid the calls for caution and acknowledgement towards changing habits, the UAE has emerged stronger from the pandemic. As part of the recovery efforts, Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the best-known global events, has been inviting participants from almost 200 countries.

"Wednesday's majlis will be one that goes down in the country's history. It stands in stark contrast with the one held as the pandemic began, when Sheikh Mohamed, at a distance via video technology, called on people to stand together and face the great unknown of COVID-19," the daily added in its editorial.

After months of battle against the pandemic crisis, the UAE is currently celebrating its successful efforts at curbing the spread of the virus.

"Now, life can get back to normal, even if certain measures need to be kept to maintain the advances we have made," the editorial concluded. 

WAM