Iraqi star delights packed crowd as Dubai launches a summer of entertainment, music and family experiences
Dubai: In a festive atmosphere reflecting Dubai’s status as a global destination for tourism and family entertainment, thousands of visitors and shoppers gathered at City Centre Mirdif to celebrate the opening of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2026, with Iraqi star Rahma Riad headlining the season’s first major concert.
The event marked the official launch of this year’s summer celebrations, with the singer taking centre stage before a packed audience that filled the mall’s main square, setting the tone for a season of entertainment, shopping and family experiences.
Warm welcome
The evening opened with a multimedia presentation highlighting key milestones from Rahma Riad’s career, paving the way for her appearance on stage alongside her band led by Maestro Rabie Hassan.
Welcoming the audience, Rahma Riad said: “I am so happy to be here with you tonight, and may we always be gathered together in love and goodness, singing and dancing together.”
She thanked the audience for their support and extended her appreciation to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the organisers of Dubai Summer Surprises for the opportunity to perform at the opening celebration.
Journey through her musical career
Riad took fans on a musical journey through some of the most memorable moments of her career, performing tracks including “Kalam El Hob” from her 2023 album Ana El Youm.
She also revisited earlier successes, including “Illa Aqallam”, composed by Iraqi artist Hatem Al-Iraqi, and “Waad Menni”, with many fans singing along to every word.
The energy of the concert rose further when she performed “Ma Fi Layl”, one of her most popular collaborations with Syrian singer Nassif Zeytoun.
Heritage melodies
The concert also celebrated Arab musical heritage, with Rahma Riad performing the iconic Iraqi folk song “Fawq Al Nakhl”, drawing enthusiastic audience participation.
She followed with newer releases, including “Sab’a Sa’adat”, before responding to requests from fans by performing “As’ad Lil Qamar”.
Her repertoire also included the Iraqi classic “Ana Ya Tayr Dayya’ni Nasibi” and the Levantine folk favourite “Ala Al Ain Moulaytain”, showcasing her versatility and vocal range.
Memorable fan interaction
One of the evening’s highlights came when Rahma Riad stepped off the stage to meet fans in the front rows, taking photographs and sharing moments with concertgoers in a spontaneous gesture that was met with enthusiastic applause.
She concluded the concert with her hit song “Al Kawkab”, bringing the opening night celebrations to a close on a high note.
Mosaic of cultures
The event transformed City Centre Mirdif’s main square into a vibrant cultural gathering, with attendees from across the Arab world joining together in celebration.
The concert highlighted Dubai’s multicultural character, with audiences uniting through music and shared experiences, creating a festive atmosphere that underscored the city’s reputation as a leading destination for entertainment and cultural events.
The performance marked the opening chapter of Dubai Summer Surprises 2026, which will feature a packed calendar of concerts, shopping promotions and family-friendly activities throughout the summer season.