EDA Socials

The EDA Socials are events held to welcome new members and to thank active current members for their support with EDA’s activities. It may also include discussions on topics that EDA believes will be of interest to its members; led by individuals who are experts in their respective fields. The talks aim to provide members the opportunity to gain knowledge on topics relevant to the diving community.

2009

January Social
EDA hosted a social at The Kempinski Hotel in Dubai on the 31st of January 2009.
Approximately 50 EDA members and partners gathered around the beautiful setting of the outdoor pool, where everyone mingled whilst enjoying the delicious canapés and refreshing drinks that were passed around throughout the evening.

A short speech was given by the EDA staff welcoming their guests, introducing new staff members and announcing the calendar of events planned for 2009.

Later on in the evening everyone relaxed on the bean bags and in the majlis styled sofas, sipping their hot beverages and puffing on flavoured shishas. It was a great end to a lovely evening spent with friends; old and new.

September EDA Suhour Evening Social
The holy month of Ramadan is a special time of the year when people gather with friends and family to break their fast and enjoy the Ramadan spirit.

EDA invited its members, partners and friends to join them for Suhour, which was held at the Layali tent in the Mina Al Salam on Thursday 3rd of September.

Suhour is an Islamic term referring to the meal consumed before fasting. The meal is usually eaten as a late dinner or an early morning meal before dawn. This is to give the person sustenance until sunset when he/she can break their fast at Iftar.

The event gave EDA the opportunity to congratulate the Reef Check students, who passed the course and present them with their Reef Check cards.

A raffle draw was also held during the course of the evening. The grand prize was a 4 days/3 nights dive package for two in the Philippines, which was generously sponsored by Discover Orient Holidays. 4 lucky winners also won Reef Check courses and the rest of the winners announced were presented with chocolate hampers which were donated by Nestle.

Finally dinner was served, which consisted of several delectable dishes and the usual selection of Ramadan beverages.

2008

In February 2008, EDA and Dubai UNEP YouthXchange, in collaboration with Warner Brothers, held the premiere for Leonardo DiCaprio’s produced documentary, The 11th Hour at Cinestar, Mall of the Emirates in celebration of the UAE National Environment Day. Prior to the movie showing, EDA hosted a small reception for the guests in one area outside the cinema specially closed for the occasion.

The premiere was attended by the UAE Minister of Environment, HE Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi and the Director General of the Federal Environment Agency, HE Salem Al Dahri. The event was strictly by invitation only and was attended by more than 400 guests.

2007

Clean Up Arabia Thank You Social
EDA hosted a Cocktail Reception in honor of Clean-Up Arabia sponsors and participants. It was also an event to welcome new EDA members as well as thank the active current members for their support of EDA’s activities.

EDA Director, Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi also presented a brief line-up of 2007 projects and encouraged the members to sign up as volunteers for the various committees that would be set up. This was followed by the Clean Up Arabia 2006 documentary produced by SAE Institute students.

The night was capped with the splendid performance of Mr Ovidio De Ferrari, Director of the Ovidio Music Institute – Dubai, along with his musicians. Mr Ovidio De Ferrari’s first public appearance and performance was done specially for EDA’s members.

Pearl Diving Presentation
EDA hosted a presentation on diving and the pearl trade in the UAE, entitled ‘The Emirates – The Biggest Natural Pearl Diving Area in the World’. The talk was delivered by Captain Mohammed Khalifa Bin Thalith, the co-author of the, ‘Pearl Diving Map of the UAE’.

Thalith explained in full detail the pearl diving seasons, a dive ship crew, navigation and the requirements, process and economic importance of pearl diving during the early decades of the twentieth century.

Coral Reef Presentation
Dr Michel Claereboudt, Coral Reef Biologist from the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and discoverer of the two coral species found off the Omani coast, gave a general talk on corals and coral reefs in the region.

2005

On the 26th November 2005, guest speaker Brad Norman (one of the founders of ECOCEAN), spoke to EDA members at the Dusit Hotel about ECOCEAN’s work to generate public awareness for marine conservation issues.