Ibn Battuta Mall, the largest themed mall in the Middle East, is celebrating the holy month of Ramadan with a host of entertainment to delight the entire family. Buzzing with activities including storytelling, stage shows, street painting and traditional sweets and beverages to tantalise, both young and old are set to be thrilled by the special entertainment programme which awaits them in each of the six themed courts.
Beginning at 9pm daily, shoppers will be able to enjoy up to three shows per night and get a true taste of authentic Arabian culture when Persia Court, Egypt Court and Tunisia Court come alive with special dance performances and music.
Children will be amused with a traditional story-teller and puppet show in Tunisia Court, while in Persia Court an oud player and the exciting performances of the Al Darwish Group promise to captivate mall visitors. Shoppers wanting to learn more about Middle Eastern crafts can visit the traditional knitting tent in Egypt Court which also includes a falconry display and henna painting.
Ibn Battuta Mall’s fun-filled Ramadan entertainment also includes street painting, whereby the artists can produce 3D paintings measuring up to 3 metres by 3 metres in less than two hours and will delight crowds with this highly-interactive art form. The 3-D chalk artists will complete one work of art per day over a week from 6th to 12th October.
Commenting on the host of entertainment activities at Ibn Battuta Mall, Colin Fenton, Mall Manager, Ibn Battuta Mall said: “We are delighted to offer an exciting array of entertainment options for the entire family at Ibn Battuta Mall – one which promises to capture the hearts of shoppers. We have worked very hard to ensure world-class entertainment which is both unique and certain to please everyone.”
“It will fascinating to watch our street artist practice,” continued Fenton, “Each painting they complete will be around three metres by three metres. These images are done in chalk and appear to be three-dimensional, and it will be great to watch the interaction they have with the crowds who are fascinated by an image unfolding. We anticipate huge support from both children and adults.”
Furthermore, throughout the evenings at Ibn Battuta Mall, and wandering between the different courts, a local stilt walker can be spotted and a traditional juice and coffee man will be handing out delightful beverages to all mall visitors. Delectable traditional Ramadan sweets are also being served in Egypt Court.
On the community side, Ibn Battuta Mall is also hosting the world’s largest charity collection box, measuring a staggering five metres by twelve metres, where shoppers can make donations in aid of Beit Al Khair Society. Located in China Court, the collection box is set to enter the The Guinness Book of World Records. Donations will benefit underprivileged UAE nationals such as orphans, widows, divorcees and low-income families. In addition, a portion of the proceeds collected throughout the month will also help to support the homeless and needy in Lebanon.
About Ibn Battuta Mall
Ibn Battuta Mall is located adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchanges 5 and 6. The Mall combines retail, entertainment, restaurant and family activities all within a uniquely themed environment. The inspiration for the theme of Ibn Battuta Mall is the travels of the legendary Arab explorer Ibn Battuta. The unique design of the shopping mall and separately themed courts are based on his travels through Asia and the Middle East. Each of the six courts is themed on a country and a shopping zone to reflect Ibn Battuta's travels through Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China. The spacious Mall, covering an area of 3.1 million square feet, offers a charming mix of shopping outlets, specialty shops, restaurants, a hypermarket and a cinema Megaplex featuring the UAE's first IMAX theatre. Parking space has been allocated for more than 5,000 cars, taking the total site space up to 5.4 million square feet.
About Istithmar
Established in 2003, Istithmar was created with the key mission of earning exceptional returns for its investors while maintaining due regard for risk. Established with an initial investment capital pool of $2 billion, Istithmar has, to date, invested in 30 companies deploying approximately USD 1.5 billion in equity capital. It currently focuses its activities in four industry verticals - Consumer, Financial Services, Industrial and Real Estate. Istithmar will enhance its own existing capital pool of $2 billion through partnerships with world-class corporations and other leading providers of capital, the creation of investment funds and leverage.
