Dubai Shopping Festival launch party cancelled

RETAIL CANCELLATION: The launch ceremony for DSF 2009, in which The Dubai Mall will be participating, has been cancelled. (Getty Images)

The launch ceremony planned for the Dubai Shopping Festival 2009 has been cancelled as a mark of solidarity to the people of Gaza.

The announcement was made on Monday by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Shopping Festival Office (DSFO) Supreme Committee.

It follows the directive by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who cancelled all New Year's Eve outdoor celebrations in the emirate.

However Sheikh Ahmed added that all other DSF 2009 activities would go on as planned from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.

“DSF 2009 coincides with a turbulent period of political turmoil in the Middle East and as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the festivities marking the beginning of DSF stand cancelled as an act of solidarity towards the people and our brothers in Gaza,” he said.

He added: “DSF has witnessed a series of successes in the past 13 years that has effectively made it a distinguished regional phenomenon...DSF 2009 will be another milestone in the festival’s illustrious history."

The 32-day event promises some of the best shopping discounts in a DSF edition yet and prizes worth millions of dirhams will be given to shoppers every day.

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