Old Bastakia
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Old Bastakia
In 1979, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (now Ruler of Dubai) married his first cousin Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum. Their wedding was Dubai's first major public event. Elaborate arrangements were made to celebrate the event. No Dubai event has matched Sheikh Mohammed First Wedding in scale or content since then.
A five day holiday was declared and a huge sand area in front of the old Zabeel Palace cleared and fenced off. Lighting Poles were erected around the fenced area and decorated.
On the Wedding Day people, both Nationals and Expatriates gathered around this area to watch the many displays within the fenced area. Local Dancers and Musicians provided non stop entertainment while horseback riders showed their riding skills and prowess with their lances. The Royal Guard paraded on horseback. Camels and their Riders paraded in large numbers.
Highlight was the Air Display by Dubai's Defence Force Air Wing (formed in 1971). Defence Force Air Wing had recently taken delivery of their first Macchi Jet Fighter Trainers. These five Macchi Jet Fighters flew in formation over Zabeel Palace followed by aerobatics. As a Grand Finale, one of the Macchi Jet Fighters flew around the Dubai Trade Centre Building. Dubai Trade Centre was still under construction and had yet to reach full height.
Celebrations carried on into the night with Dancers, Musicians and Performers entertaining large crowds of Nationals and Expatriates throughout Deira and Dubai on any open space they could find.
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