The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country that offers a rich and diverse culture and lifestyle for its residents and visitors. As a student who has been living and studying in the UAE at the Britts Imperial University College for the past year, I have been amazed by the beauty, hospitality, and tolerance of this nation.
Culture
The UAE has a culture that reflects traditional Arab and Islamic values, as well as influences from Persian, Indian, and Western cultures. The UAE is home to people from over 200 nationalities, who live and work together in harmony and respect. The UAE also celebrates its heritage and history through various festivals, museums, and monuments.
Some of the cultural aspects that I have enjoyed learning about are:
Social life:
The Emiratis are very friendly and hospitable people, who value family, friendship, and community. They often invite guests to their homes for coffee or tea, and serve dates, nuts, and sweets. They also greet each other with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek, depending on the gender and relationship. They dress modestly and conservatively, especially in public places. Women wear a long dress called an abaya and a headscarf called a shayla, while men wear a long white robe called a kandura and a headscarf called a ghutra.
Art:
The UAE has a vibrant art scene, with many talented artists, galleries, and museums. The UAE also hosts international art events such as Art Dubai and Sharjah Biennial. Some of the traditional art forms that I have admired are pottery, weaving, metalworking, calligraphy, and henna. These art forms showcase the craftsmanship, creativity, and aesthetics of the Emirati culture.
Food:
The UAE cuisine is a fusion of Arabian, Persian, Indian, and Western cuisines. It is rich in spices, herbs, rice, meat, fish, and vegetables. Some of the dishes that I have tried and loved are hummus (chickpea dip), falafel (fried chickpea balls), shawarma (meat wrap), makbous (rice with meat or fish), biryani (rice with meat or vegetables), luqaimat (fried dough balls with date syrup), and kunafa (cheese pastry with sugar syrup). The UAE also has a coffee culture, where coffee is served hot, strong, and sweet in small cups.
Lifestyle
The UAE has a lifestyle that is modern, cosmopolitan, and dynamic. The UAE offers a high standard of living, with excellent infrastructure, education, health care, entertainment, and security. The UAE also has a diverse natural environment, with deserts, mountains, beaches, islands, and oases.
Some of the lifestyle aspects that I have enjoyed experiencing are:
Architecture:
The UAE has some of the most stunning and innovative architecture in the world. The UAE boasts of iconic landmarks such as Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Burj Al Arab (the most luxurious hotel in the world), Palm Jumeirah (the largest artificial island in the world), Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (the largest mosque in the country), Louvre Abu Dhabi (the first universal museum in the Arab world), and Dubai Frame (the largest picture frame in the world).
Sports:
The UAE has a passion for sports, both traditional and modern. The UAE hosts international sporting events such as Formula One Grand Prix, Dubai World Cup (horse racing), Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Dubai Tennis Championship, Dubai Rugby Sevens, and Abu Dhabi Triathlon. Some of the traditional sports that I have watched and participated in are camel racing, falconry, dhow sailing (wooden boat sailing), horse riding, archery, and desert safari.
Recreation:
The UAE has a lot of options for recreation and entertainment for all ages and interests. The UAE has world-class malls, cinemas, theaters, parks, museums, beaches, and resorts.
The UAE also has some of the best theme parks in the world such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (the fastest roller coaster in the world), Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi (the largest indoor theme park in the world), Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi (the largest water park in the Middle East), IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai (the largest indoor theme park in the world), and Dubai Parks and Resorts (the largest integrated theme park destination in the Middle East).
Works Cited:
(1) Culture – The Official Portal of the UAE Government. https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/culture
(2) Daily life and social customs – Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Arab-Emirates/Daily-life-and-social-customs
(3) Apply UAE Visa to know the Culture, Lifestyle, and Heritage. https://www.instadubaivisa.com/blog/culture-lifestyle-and-heritage-of-uae-united-arab-emirates
(4) Culture of UAE – Traditions, Cuisine, Architecture, Customs & More. https://www.holidify.com/pages/culture-of-uae-1999.html
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