Pakistani camels take center stage at world’s largest camel festival in Saudi Arabia

Camels take off at the start of a race during the Crown Prince Camel Festival, in the southwestern Saudi city of Taif, on August 11, 2021. (AFP/FILE)

• King Abdulaziz Camel Festival started on December 1 and will last 40 days
• Participants came from Gulf countries, United States, France, Russia and Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: Spectators at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, arguably the largest such gathering in the world, were “amazed” to see performances by Pakistani camels and learn how they are used for work and entertain purposes in their home country, media reported on Wednesday.
The festival started on December 1 and will last 40 days, with participants from Gulf countries, United States, France, Russia and Saudi Arabia, SPA reported.
“Tourists and spectators were introduced to how camels are used in Pakistan,” the Urdu News website said. “Apart from that, they also learnt how camels are decorated and used in entertainment programs.”
“Spectators who came to the festival liked the beautiful dance of Pakistani camels. About three thousand tourists saw and liked this beautiful camel program.”
Urdu News reported that spectators also got to see how Pakistani barbers decorate camels with motifs.
“Visitors to the festival were introduced to the methods of riding camels in Pakistan and the breeds of camels reserved for children,” the report said. “It was also shown how camels are trained to dance in Pakistan and the different types of work they perform.”
The festival is an annual international cultural, economic, sports and entertainment event organized by the Saudi Camel Club. This year is the sixth edition of the festival.