Camels compete in UAE desert for beauty contest crown

"A single question loomed over the grandstand: Which camels were most beautiful?"

Judges scrutinise camel beauty contestants at Al Dhafra Festival in Liwa desert area 120 kilometres (75 miles) southwest of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Tens of thousands of camels from across the region have descended on the desert of the United Arab Emirates to compete for the title of most beautiful. (AP Photo/Isabel DeBre)

Deep in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, the moment that camel breeders had been waiting for arrived.

Families hauled their camels through wind-carved sands. Servers poured tiny cups of Arabic coffee. Judges descended on desert car parks.