The Chief Rabbi to the United Arab Emirates lit a giant menorah at Dubai's Expo 2020 on Sunday, to mark the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. 

Rabbi Levi Duchman recited the holiday's blessings at the Israel Pavilion in front of a large crowd, accompanied by Hanukkah songs performed by the local Jewish community's children's choir. 

Among those in attendance were Israel's Consul General in Dubai Ilan Sztulman and Commissioner-General of Israel's Expo 2020 Pavilion Elazar Cohen. 

Last year's Hanukkah candle lighting was the first in the history of the state.

A similar candle lighting was also held at the Bahrain Pavilion, attended by the former Bahraini Ambassador to the US, according to Israel Hayom. 

The international trade exposition was originally scheduled for October 20, 2020 to Aptil 10, 2021, however, it was postponed because of the Covid pandemic.

EXPO 2020 started October 1, 2021 and will last until March 31, 2022, hosting visitors and exhibitors from 192 countries, including Israel. 

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement in October that the invitation for Israel to participate in the event was given in 2018, before the signing of the Abraham Accords.

The Foreign Ministry estimates that about 15 million visitors will come to the Israel pavilion over the course of the event.