The people’s way of life in Abu Dhabi had been shaped by centuries of explicit efforts to tame a harsh environment, educate the young, engage in trade, and most importantly, to follow and promote the Islamic faith. The Emarati’s Quran-based values, which advocate, amongst other things, generosity and charity, make Abu Dhabi a peaceful and ideal place to raise a family and foster healthy cultural exchange.

Indeed, Islamic beliefs permeate every facet of the society from the local dress code to the manner in which financial affairs are conducted. Family plays a focal part in the social, political and economic interplay of the emirate, where children are provided with ample opportunities to explore their interests. Women in Abu Dhabi are given an equal right to education and employment, with an increasing number of local women with university degrees entering the workforce in recent years.

Traditions

Abu Dhabi observes Ramadan, which culminates in a three-day holiday called Eid Al Fitr. Ramadan normally falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, where observant Muslims not only abstain from food, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk, but in general practice restraint from all activities or behaviours that are not compatible with Islamic values. It is expected for non-Muslims to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public places at daytime during Ramadan as a matter of respect to their host culture.

Furthermore traditional singing and dancing feature strongly in Abu Dhabi’s local culture reflecting a time-honoured passion. Songs were composed “to accompany different tasks from hauling water at the well to diving for pearl oysters in the Gulf.” Ayallah is one of the most common cultural dances that are performed in various celebrations such as weddings throughout the emirate. Traditional musical instruments such as goatskin bagpipes, flute and drums are used in this dance.

National Costume

Local men and women in Abu Dhabi are easily distinguishable from expats because of their traditional dress: men wear Dishdasha, an ankle-length, collarless gown that is usually white, matched with headdresses (guthra), while women wear black Abayas over their clothing. Elderly married women sometimes wear the burkha, or a special facial covering, whenever they go to public places. Modesty as well as adaptability to the weather are key elements that have defined these traditional costumes.

Lifestyle and Customs

Emiratis are generally warm, extremely hospitable and respectful. It is customary for locals to offer their guests refreshments or tea or to invite them for a meal during a visit. Declining either is considered rude.

Openly admiring an object (say vase or piece of furniture) in the host’s house renders him or her honour-bound to present the same as a gift to the guest, which begets a gift of similar value or stature from the guest at a later stage or time.

Working Hours

Working hours in Abu Dhabi are either “straight shift” or “split shift.” The former normally requires eight working hours beginning from 7:30am or 9:00am with a lunch break lasting 30 minutes to an hour. The latter comprises eight to nine working hours that typically commence between 9:00am and 10:00am and ends between 8:00pm and 9:00pm, with a three- to four-hour break in between. The split shift is thought to be an efficient means of addressing the extremely hot weather during the summer months, particularly for labourers. Abu Dhabi, as is the rest of the state, observes shortened working hours during the Holy month of Ramadan, usually by two to three hours.

Islamic Holidays

In keeping with Islam, Abu Dhabi observes several public holidays throughout the year, most of which are religious in nature.