Streets, mosques, airports and other objects are named after these people in the UAE. They are shown on television, photos can be seen in newspapers and on advertising posters. These are Sheikhs – the ruling elite. In this article we will talk about those who created and built the United Arab Emirates – the rulers of the country of the past, present and future. So who’s who in the UAE?

Urgent news!

On May 13, 2022, the Emir of Abu Dhabi and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, died at the age of 73. Read more about it later in this article.

On May 14, 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (half-brother of the deceased) took office as President of the UAE. Recall that earlier he was the crown prince, but de facto led the country. Read more about it later in this article.

Our readers are already asking us: “What will change in the UAE now?”

We answer: “Nothing will change.” The fact is that Sheikh Khalifa has not actually ruled the country and the emirate since 2014, when he suffered a stroke.

The emirate of Abu Dhabi and the country of the UAE have long been ruled by Sheikh Mohammed ibn Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, which you can also read about below in this article. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed simply changed his nominal title from “Crown Prince” to “Emir” and now officially assumed the presidency.

Mourning for the departed Sheikh Khalifa will last 40 days – until June 22, 2022. Attention! Entertainment events may be cancelled.

Who is Sheikh

At the word “Sheikh”, Russians imagine the ruler of an Arab (or even any Islamic) state. The presentation is not entirely correct. In fact, this title is given at birth to all representatives of the royal families of some Arab countries. Emphasizing the word “some”, for example, members of the royal family of Morocco do not bear the title of “Sheikh”.

Accordingly, there are seven emirates in the UAE, seven royal families, and each has tens or hundreds of people. The title of “Sheikh” is carried by more than a thousand people.

Abu Dhabi

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is ruled by the Al Nahyan family.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

May 6, 1918 – November 2, 2004. 

The founder of the UAE and the first president of the country (Dec 2, 1971 – Nov 2, 2004), Emir of Abu Dhabi (Aug 6, 1966 – Nov 2, 2004).

It was Sheikh Zayed who used oil revenues and made the UAE from a “third world” country into a modern rich state. His ideas and values ​​made the United Arab Emirates a country “for the citizens and for the sake of the citizens”.

The name of Sheikh Zayed is most often encountered by tourists. In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a famous landmark is named after him – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque . The second largest mosque in the UAE is located in Fujairah and also bears his name. In Dubai, the main thoroughfare is called Sheikh Zayed Road. The city of Giza in Egypt even has a Sheikh Zayed City district in his honor.

It makes no sense to talk in detail about Sheikh Zayed on this page, it’s better to read our separate articles “ Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al Nahyan ” and “ History of the United Arab Emirates ”.

Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al Nahyan

September 7, 1948 – May 13, 2022. 

President of the UAE (from November 3, 2004 – May 13, 2022), Emir of Abu Dhabi (from November 2, 2004 – May 13, 202213 May 2022).

Sheikh Zayed’s eldest son succeeded to the throne of Abu Dhabi upon his father’s death on November 2, 2004. At the time of accession, he was already 56 years old.

It would seem that at this age there is no longer any desire for reforms, however, Khalifa was able to change a lot in Abu Dhabi and all the Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Khalifa received a military education, he graduated from the Royal Academy Sandhurst (UK). On February 1, 1969, Khalifa was crowned Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and appointed Minister of Defense. It was Khalifa who created the army of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in its current modern form.

After the formation of the UAE in 1971, he served as Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Vice President of the UAE. In the late 80s, he became the head of the Supreme Petroleum Council, having received de facto full power over oil revenues in the UAE.

In the late 90s, Sheikh Zayed’s health no longer allowed him to perform all the functions of the President of the UAE. Khalifa became de facto President of the UAE and Emir of Abu Dhabi. On November 2, 2004, after the death of his father, Sheikh Khalifa inherited the throne, the next day (November 3) officially took office as President of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi changed under his rule. The dress code and the behavior of tourists began to be treated much softer. Many people remember that once in the UAE they did not put a man and a woman in the same room if they were not married. Or a female tourist was not allowed into the country without being accompanied by her husband, father or brother. Now all this is in the past. For a current list of code of conduct, see our article ” What tourists can’t do in the UAE “.

Many famous projects in Abu Dhabi were initiated or supported by Sheikh Khalifa. The brightest is Yas Island with Ferrari World park, Yas Mall shopping center , Yas Waterworld water park , Yas Marina race track . Saadiyat Island with art galleries, branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums.

In January 2014, Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke. The duties of the President of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir of Abu Dhabi began to be performed by his brother, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. On May 13, 2022, Sheikh Khalifa left us.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

March 11, 1961 – now live. 

Officially, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Commander-in-Chief of the UAE Armed Forces.

In fact, the emir of Abu Dhabi, the president of the UAE.

Third son of Sheikh Zayed. An interesting point is that he and Khalifa are stepbrothers. Khalifa was born to his first wife, Hassa bint Mohammed ibn Khalifa. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was born to his third wife, Fatima bint Mubarak Al-Ketbi.

Sheikhini Fatima bint-Mubarak Al-Ketbi had only 6 sons: Mohammed, Hamdan, Hazza, Tanun, Mansur and Abdullah. They are called “Bani Fatima” or “sons of Fatima” and form the most powerful bloc in the Al Nahyan family.

The sons of Fatima have always been influential, some political scientists even assign them a leading role in the changes in Abu Dhabi that have taken place since 2004. They received full power only in 2014, when Sheikh Khalifa had a stroke. Now it is difficult to say whether the vector of their domestic and foreign policy will change. Wait and see.

Mohammed bin Zayed went to school in Al Ain, then in Abu Dhabi. Entered Sandhurst Academy (UK) in 1979. Trained in military skills of piloting a helicopter, driving armored vehicles, parachuting. After returning from England, he underwent military training in Sharjah, became an officer in the UAE Armed Forces.

He was an officer in the Amiri Guards (an elite unit), a pilot in the UAE Air Force, and eventually became the Commander-in-Chief of the UAE Armed Forces.

In 2003, he was proclaimed the second Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. After the death of his father on November 2, 2004, he became crown prince. Since December 2004, Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, member of the Supreme Petroleum Council.

So far, world leaders and political scientists are eyeing Sheikh Mohammed. It is known that he believes that the UAE should play a much larger role in world politics. He loves falconry, like his father. He is interested in poetry and writes poetry himself in the Nabati style.

Sheikha Fatima bint-Mubarak Al-Ketbi

The third wife of Sheikh Zayed, the mother of six of his sons, including Crown Prince Mohammed (the de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE).

This woman played a big role in UAE politics during the reign of her husband Sheikh Zayed, and remains very influential to this day. She is called the “Mother of the Nation”.

The exact date of her birth is unknown. She was probably born in the mid-40s in Al Ain . In the 60s, she married Zaid Al-Nahyan, becoming his third wife.

In 1973, she founded the Abu Dhabi Women’s Awakening Society, the first women’s community organization in the UAE. In 1975, she created and headed the Main Women’s Union of the UAE. The main sphere of interest of these organizations was education, because then girls in the UAE did not study at all. In 2004, Fatima facilitated the appointment of the first female minister.

Now she still heads the Main Women’s Union, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Family Development Foundation and several other organizations. And this despite the advanced age! Naturally, Fatima has a gigantic influence on the politics of Sheikh Mohammed and the affairs of the Bani Fatima.

Dubai

The emirate of Dubai is ruled by the Al Maktoum family.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

July 15, 1949 – now live. 

The ruling Emir of Dubai (officially since January 4, 2006, actually since January 3, 1995), Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE since February 11, 2006.

Sheikh Mohammed is called the “Architect of Modern Dubai”. This is a very versatile educated person and is now the most famous leader in the UAE.

Mohammed became the third son of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid ibn Said Al Maktoum. His mother Lafita was the daughter of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Hamadan ibn Zayed Al Nahyan. As a child, Muhammad received both a secular and a traditional Islamic education. In 1966 (at the age of 18) he studied in the UK at the Mons Cadet Corps and in Italy as a pilot.

In 1968, Mohammed attended his father’s meeting with Sheikh Zayed at Argoub el Sedira, where the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi agreed on the imminent establishment of the UAE. After the formation of the UAE, he was the Minister of Defense and the head of the police in Dubai.

On October 7, 1990, Mohammed’s father and the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid ibn Said, died. Power passed to the eldest son – Sheikh Maktum ibn Rashid, who was very fond of equestrian sports, was an excellent athlete, but did not reach for politics and government.

On January 4, 1995, Maktoum ibn Rashid appointed Mohammed as crown prince and, in fact, transferred power to him in the emirate of Dubai. On January 4, 2006, Maktoum ibn Rashid died of a heart attack, Mohammed ibn Rashid becomes the official ruler of Dubai.

The list of achievements of Muhammad ibn Rashid is huge. He diversified the economy of Dubai, now oil revenues account for only 4% of the emirate’s GDP, Dubai has become a shopping mecca second only to London, the largest trading and financial center.

With his support or on his initiative, the Burj Khalifa , Burj Al Arab , Dubai Mall , Dubai Fountains , Emirates airline, Dubai metro , Palm and World artificial islands, the world’s largest artificial harbor Jebel Ali, Dubai Internet City and more hundreds of other projects.

He became famous for his raids on enterprises, where he personally checked whether employees were in their places, and fired those who were absent. Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid is famous for his intolerance of corruption, and hundreds of officials were imprisoned for his rule, convicted of taking bribes and using their position for personal gain.

Sheikh Hamdan ibn Mohammed Al Maktoum

November 14, 1982 – now live. 

Crown Prince of Dubai, Member of the Dubai Executive Council (since 2006).

Second son of Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid. The media, politicians and political scientists, economists and sociologists are now eyeing it. Of course, Sheikh Mohammed is healthy and active, but still he is already 72 years old, age can take its toll.

Studied at the Dubai Government School, Sandhurst Military Academy (Great Britain), London School of Economics. Diversely educated, known as a poet under the pseudonym “Fazza”.

While his actions are more ostentatious. He personally hoisted the UAE flag to the top of the Burj Khalifa following the announcement of the city of Dubai as the winner of the competition to host the World Expo 2020 . Established an award for photographers named after himself. Winner and prize-winner of international equestrian competitions.

A very popular personality – more than 12 million followers on Instagram. Account “faz3”, look, his page is interesting.

Almost nothing is known about his political views. It is assumed that in the event of accession, Hamdan will continue the line of his father.

Sheikh Rashid ibn Said Al Maktoum

June 11, 1912 – October 7, 1990. 

First Prime Minister of the UAE (1971-1990), Emir of Dubai (1958-1990).

He is called the “Father of Dubai”, it was during his reign that Dubai turned from a small settlement along the Creek into a big city.

Sheikh Rashid famously said: “My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover, his son will ride a Land Rover, but his son will ride a camel.”

With this, Sheikh Rashid wanted to say that oil will run out in a generation, and something needs to be done about it. His son Mohammed ibn Rashid remembered his father’s words and “untied” Dubai’s economy from oil.

Sheikh Rashid was a co-author of the UAE, in 1968, together with Sheikh Zayed from Abu Dhabi, they agreed to create a single state, only then 5 more emirates joined them.

Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum is a legendary figure in Dubai.

Sharjah

The emirate of Sharjah is ruled by the Al Qasimi family.

Sheikh Sultan ibn Mohammed Al Qasimi (Sultan III)

July 2, 1939 – now live. 

Emir of Sharjah (1972 – present), President of the University of Sharjah, President of the American University of Sharjah, Professor at the University of Exeter, Professor at the University of Cairo, Chairman of the Academy of Arabic in Sharjah.

He received his secondary education in Sharjah, Dubai and Kuwait. Then he studied at Cairo University with a degree in agriculture. Already being the ruler of Sharjah, he became twice a doctor of science at the University of Exeter (UK) and the University of Durham (UK).

He is also called Sheikh Doctor Sultan III. He is the most educated ruler in the UAE. It is not surprising that even before accession to Sharjah, Sultan III became the Minister of Education of the UAE.

A very interesting story about how Sultan III came to the throne. Until 1965, Sheikh Saqr ibn Sultan ruled in Sharjah, but in 1965 the British staged a coup and put Sheikh Khalid ibn Muhammad on the throne.

On January 24, 1972, Saqr ibn Sultan tried to regain the throne, organized a coup by a small military group, mostly Egyptian mercenaries. Recall that the UAE already existed by that time, President Sheikh Zayed strongly condemned the coup and sent the military from Dubai to Sharjah, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (we wrote about him above in this article).

Army forces from Dubai quickly won, but the captive Sheikh Khalid was killed and Saqr was arrested. Sultan ibn Muhammad was the first heir to the throne and took the throne.

Rass al Khaimah

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is ruled by the Al Qasimi family.

Sheikh Saud Ibn Saqr Al Qasimi

February 10, 1956 – now live. 

Emir of Ras Al Khaimah (Oct 27, 2010 – present), Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah (2003-2010).

Saud became the fourth son of the famous Sheikh Saqr ibn Mohammed Al-Qasimi, who ruled the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah from 1948 to 2010. It would seem that the chances for the throne are small.

Saud received his secondary education in Ras al-Khaimah, then higher education in economics at the American University in Beirut and the University of Michigan (USA).

In 1979 he returned to his homeland and took up the post of “Head of the Sheikh’s Court”. The position suited the ambitious and talented Saud very well. He oversaw dozens of projects in the field of economics, education, healthcare, and very successfully. In 2003, his father appointed him as his heir, leaving his older brothers out of work.

On October 27, Sheikh Saqr died and Saud became emir.

Observant readers have noticed that the emirs of Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah have the same surname – Al-Qasimi. This is no coincidence, they are from the same genus.

The Al-Qasimi clan traces its history back to the 17th century, when they were the leaders of the pirates who kept the entire Persian Gulf at bay. In 1809, the British had to send a squadron to fight the Al Qasimi fleet. The pirate fleet was destroyed, and the region fell under the complete influence of the British Empire. However, the fleet was defeated, but the Al-Qasimi themselves remained in power, and two different branches of the family rule in Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah.

Fujairah

The emirate of Fujairah is ruled by the Al-Sharqi family.

Sheikh Hamad ibn-Mohammed Al-Sharqi

May 25, 1949 – now live. 

Emir of Fujairah (1974–present), member of the Supreme Executive Council.

Sheikh Hamad was educated in England at Eastbourne School, then studied at the Mons Military Academy. After the formation of the UAE, from 1971 until accession in 1974, he headed the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Considered an excellent speaker in Arabic and English. Accompanied Sheikh Zayed at many international conferences. Very close to the Al Nahyan family (rulers of Abu Dhabi).

But he is even closer to the Al-Maktoum family (rulers of Dubai). His first wife is Sheikha Fatima bint Fani Al Maktoum. They have six children – three sons and three daughters. The eldest son Mohammed graduated from Webster University in London, on January 8, 2007 he was appointed crown prince.

The wife of Mohammed (son of Hamad and Crown Prince) Sheikha Lafita bint Mohammed Al Maktoum is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid (ruler of Dubai). They already have five children.

A comprehensively educated person, he strives to develop the emirate of Fujairah in all possible directions. The tourism industry, construction, agriculture, and the financial sector are developing well in the emirate.

Umm al-Quwain

The emirate of Umm el Quwain is ruled by the Al Maulla family.

Sheikh Saud ibn Rashid Al Maulla

October 1, 1952 – now live. 

Emir Umm al-Quwain (January 2, 2009 – present), Member of the Supreme Executive Council.

He received his secondary education in Umm al-Quwain, higher education at Cairo University with a degree in economics.

In 1973, he began working at the UAE Foreign Ministry, and from 1977 he headed the Emir Guard of his emirate. In 1982, he was appointed crown prince and was, in fact, his father’s main assistant in managing the emirate. He ascended the throne after the death of his father on January 2, 2009.

He is married to the daughter of Sheikh Saud ibn Saqr Al Qasimi (ruler of Ras al Khaimah) and has ten sons.

Saud ibn Rashid has always supported the preservation of national traditions and cultural heritage. He loves camel racing and sea fishing. Even during his father’s reign, he worked in all areas – he founded several new departments in the emirate of Umm al-Quwain, introduced new technologies into the emirate’s management system, and developed services to the population.

Ajman

The emirate of Ajman is ruled by the Al Nuaimi family.

Sheikh Humaid ibn Rashid Al Nuaimi

1931 – now alive. 

Emir of Ajman (Sep 6, 1981 – present), Member of the Supreme Executive Council.

He became the second son (and third child) of Sheikh Rashid, who ruled the emirate of Ajman from 1928 to 1981 (one of the world’s record-breaking monarchs). Back in the early 20th century, the population of Ajman did not “hold out” to 1000 inhabitants.

Successively, Sheikh Rashid (father) and Humaid (son) made Ajman a modern city. Humaid has been helping his father in running the emirate since the 60s, before the formation of the UAE. He ended up on the throne, beating his brother Ali.

Sheikh Humaid studied in Dubai, then at Cairo University. In an interview with GulfNews, he said: “Education is one of the blessings of our world.”

He also said: “Knowledge and education are associated with ethics and morality” and “Knowledge in the hands of young people must resist the negative trends of our world.” He is the founder of the prestigious UAE Education and Culture and Science Day Award, which has been awarded for over 30 years. Ajman University of Science and Technology is the second in the country.

Wife – Sheikha Fatima ibn-Zayd Al-Nahyan (from the family of the rulers of Abu Dhabi). They have six children – four boys and two girls

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

tripguide-uae.com

The post Sheikhs in the UAE appeared first on Tripguide-uae.com.

The United Arab Emirates is a relatively young federal state. The Federation was established on December 2, 1971. The structure includes 6 emirates – Abu Dhabi , Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Fujairah. The Emirate of Ras al Khaimah became part of a year later, in 1972. Thus, the history of the United Arab Emirates covers the last 50 years. This story is fast and impetuous, unparalleled in terms of speed and pace of development. In a very short period of time, the country has turned from a desert into a developed state, where the most daring dreams and ideas come true. But more on that later.

Historical finds

Now I would like to go back many centuries and see what the territory of the modern United Arab Emirates was like in the past, who inhabited these lands, and what interesting history can bring us.

Let me start with an amazing discovery made by a group of German scientists from the University of Tübingen in the northeast of the United Arab Emirates. This discovery has expanded our understanding of the prehistoric period in the UAE. In the hilly range of Jebel Faya, an hour’s drive from the Emirate of Sharjah, stone tools were found. The age of these tools is estimated at 120-130 thousand years. The owners of the found tools are modern people – Homo Sapiens, who penetrated the Arabian Peninsula through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Scientists attributed these finds to the prehistoric period “Homo sapiens of the Middle Paleolithic.” Also, not far from the Emirate of Sharjah, archaeologists have found artifacts dating back to the Neolithic, Iron and Bronze Ages.

The discoveries made on the territory of the United Arab Emirates turned the ideas of modern scientists about the way of human migration from the African continent upside down. Previously, most scientists believed that the first migration to Asia occurred 40-60 thousand years ago. Now this time period has doubled, reaching the figure of 120 thousand years ago.

 From the depths of centuries

Now let’s fast forward to ancient times. The United Arab Emirates is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf, the coast of which was inhabited as early as the 5th millennium BC. e. Presumably, these were pastoral tribes from northern Arabia and the Syrian desert.

In the third millennium BC. The United Arab Emirates became part of the Magan civilization, which at the moment is practically not studied by modern historians. Presumably, this civilization was originally from Iran or Pakistan. The state of Magan actively traded copper with Mesopotamia.

Later, in the I-II centuries BC. on the territory of the modern United Arab Emirates lived ancient Semitic tribes, from which the ancient Arab people subsequently developed.

The territory of the United Arab Emirates is a sandy desert, where it is difficult to find water, where there is practically no vegetation. Only in rare green oases can one find water and grow date palms ,   where only camels are among the animals. It was camels that became the basis for the survival of the inhabitants of these lands. Camels made it possible for the Bedouins to lead a nomadic life, helping them to travel long distances in search of water and food. Clothing was made from camel hair. Camel meat and milk were the main food of the Arabs.

The ancient history of the United Arab Emirates before the adoption of Islam is called by the locals “the time of jahiliyyah”, which means “time of ignorance” in Arabic. Islam came to these lands in the Middle Ages. In the 7th century AD small sheikhdoms, located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman, became part of the Arab Caliphate, which spread Islam among the locals. During this period, the cities of Dubai, Sharjah, El Fujairah arose.

As the Caliphate weakened, the sheikhs received more and more autonomy. In the 8th century, many territories left the Arab Caliphate, becoming at different times either completely independent or partially dependent states. It was at this moment that the emirates, small states, were formed.

So the local sheikhs (emirates) lived until the 16th century, when they began to fall under the control of European powers. Initially, the territory of the UAE was captured by the Portuguese, and then by the British. European powers controlled maritime trade and port cities.

Bedouins, caravans, desert

While the world was developing, the local people mostly lived in the desert and traded with the help of camel caravans. The Bedouins survived as best they could and no one, in a rapidly developing world, did not care about them. They suffered from a very high temperature, they were tormented by thirst, they ate very simple, meager, monotonous food. The Bedouins had practically no educational institutions, there was no health care system, life expectancy was very short. During these times, Dubai was a small village, where the height of the houses did not exceed two floors.

The pearl trade helped the Arabs to survive. It was the pearl trade that occupied the lion’s share in the economy of the emirates, accounting for approximately 95% of all revenues to the treasury. Dubai has been called the “pearl coast”. But only divers for pearls know how hard it was to get it. The danger of being eaten by predatory fish in the Persian Gulf, sea salt that corroded the eyes, pressure drops, all this affected the health of the diver, leading to deafness and blindness. The life of a pearl diver was short, and the profession passed from generation to generation.

The two world wars, the crisis of 1929 and the introduction of synthetic Japanese pearls took a toll on the pearl industry in the United Arab Emirates.

Oil changed everything

In the 50s of the twentieth century, oil was found on the territory of the United Arab Emirates. It was the second key moment in the history of the country. No one even imagined that there was at least a drop of oil on the territory of the United Arab Emirates. But there was oil. And it was enough to exist comfortably.

By this time, the League of Arab States was actively fighting for the right of all Arab peoples for independence. International pressure forced the British to withdraw. But the British left these territories only by 1971. It was at this moment that the history of the UAE as an independent state began. In 1971, 6 emirates announced the creation of an independent state – the United Arab Emirates.

The rapid growth of the UAE economy, the sharp rise in prices for “black gold” in 1973 gave impetus to the country’s unprecedented rapid development. The UAE has become one of the countries with the highest standard of living.

With a barrel price of $75, oil revenues were about $150 million a day. The government of the United Arab Emirates, headed by Sheikh Zayed, used this money very wisely. First of all, a course was taken to improve the lives of local residents. In the Emirates, they began to build houses, hospitals, schools, and began to import food. Enormous funds were spent on the construction of desalination plants. Now the United Arab Emirates ranks second after Saudi Arabia in terms of desalinated water produced.

Harmonious oasis of the future

The United Arab Emirates can be safely called a country of millionaires. It is simply impossible for a local resident to become poor, only in the case of a conscious rejection of all the benefits that the state provides him. Free water and electricity in homes, $100,000 wedding gifts for newlyweds, a piece of land, and a $20,000 birth subsidy for each child are just some of the examples of how the government of the United Arab Emirates cares about its citizens.

The country has shown itself financially and militarily on the world stage. The latter made it possible to prevent military encroachments from neighboring countries. Iran once took advantage of the formation of a single state of the UAE and took three oil-rich islands for itself and never returned them to the Emirates.

In order to avoid dependence on the “oil needle”, the government of the United Arab Emirates made a wise decision to differentiate the economy and invest money in different projects around the world.

Huge investments are directed to the construction and tourism sectors, to the development of agriculture and trade. Many international companies have opened subsidiaries and representative offices in the United Arab Emirates.

At the moment, oil revenues account for 18% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates, tourism brings about the same amount to the country. The main source of income for the UAE is trade and financial transactions.

Differentiating the country’s economy, the United Arab Emirates wanted to create something durable and stable, and, it must be admitted, they succeeded in this.

High revenues from oil exports and a far-sighted disposal of money have ensured the prosperity and development of the UAE in all areas of the economy. Now the United Arab Emirates is one of the richest countries in the world. And although the majority of the population of the United Arab Emirates at the moment are immigrants, local residents control all sources of income in the country.

Now it’s hard for all of us to imagine that just recently, instead of roads with multi-level interchanges, luxury hotels , beautiful parks and unique sights , there was an endless desert and lonely Bedouin villages.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

tripguide-uae.com

The post History of the UAE appeared first on Tripguide-uae.com.

Birds of the UAE

About 400 species of birds live on the territory of the Emirates. Some of them are migratory, that is, they spend only winter on the peninsula. Winter is the ideal time for bird watching. Many of these birds are marine. The birds of the UAE are represented by the thymelian passerine family, tree raksha, common bulbul, desert lark, wheatear, woodweed and many others.

Birds in Dubai

What birds live in Dubai? Dubai is a real paradise for amateur ornithologists. Birdwatching in Dubai attracts many birdwatchers. In winter, on the territory of the Emirate, you can see unusually beautiful birds that migrated from Africa or Asia. We advise you to visit the Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve or the Golf Club and admire the Greater Spotted Eagle, Mud Oystercatcher, Heron, Asian Snipe or Red-tailed Shrike. This is a great opportunity to see the birds of the UAE and Dubai, in particular, in all their glory and take some monumental shots that can become the pearl of your collection. Birds in Dubai are definitely worth your attention.

Insects in the UAE

The world of insects inhabiting the UAE is also diverse. However, they go unnoticed by most people, on the one hand, due to their small size, on the other hand, since most of them are nocturnal. Insects in the UAE peacefully coexist with people, without having a significant impact on their lives. Insects in the UAE are represented by the carpenter bee, Arabian cicada, horse beetle, weevil, ephemeral fly and many others. The redback spider is one of the few poisonous insects in the UAE.

UAE animals

Animals of the UAE are under the protection and care of the authorities of the Emirates. Hunting on the territory of the state is prohibited, since many animals have been exterminated as a result of human impact. The animals of the UAE had to adapt to life in the desert and difficult living conditions. Unfortunately, the population of gazelles has significantly decreased. Animals of the UAE are represented by the Arabian tahr, white oryx, Arabian wolf, striped hyena, common fox, steppe lynx, forest cat, South Arabian leopard, Ethiopian hedgehog and many others.

Flora of the UAE

Most plants in the UAE are salt tolerant, especially on the west coast of the country. Numerous dwarf trees grow in the east of the country, while Avicenna officinalis dominates in coastal lagoons. The flora of the UAE is represented by such plants as high calotropis, tubular cistancha, saline and many others. The most populated in terms of flora in the UAE are the plains in the northeast of the country. The climate of the mountains is cooler and more temperate – there are many amazing alpine flowers.

Arabian tar

This endangered artiodactyl species is found exclusively in the mountains of the United Arab Emirates and northern Oman. Arabian taras live on the northern mountain slopes at an altitude of 1000 to 1800 m. The total number of these animals in the UAE is about 5000 individuals.

The Arabian tahr is the smallest of all species of these animals of the goat subfamily. It is distinguished by its stocky build and the presence of curved horns.

Its coat is reddish-brown, and a dark stripe runs across its back. Males differ from females in having an impressive mane. Arabian taras are herbivores. They feed on grass, leaves and fruits of shrubs.

Arabian sand gazelle (reem)

This type of gazelles is found in the deserts of Arabia and Syria. The total number of sand gazelles is less than 1000 individuals. But a fairly large population of these animals lives in captivity in the region.

In the wild, Arabian sand gazelles are found among sand dunes and sand and gravel areas. These animals usually avoid rocky terrain. Due to uncontrolled hunting and the destruction of their natural habitat, the reem gazelle are now on the verge of extinction.

South Arabian leopard

This endangered subspecies of the leopard is endemic to the fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. Its population is very small. In 2006, it numbered about 200-250 individuals. According to recent studies, no more than 50 adult South Arabian leopards remain in the wild.

In the vastness of the Arabian Peninsula, these animals are found in the mountains and among the hilly steppes. In the UAE, the South Arabian leopard was first discovered in 1949. Now its status in the country is uncertain. The question remains whether this is an extinct or still very rare animal of the UAE.

In the old days, these predators of the Arabian Peninsula were found in Wadi Wuraiya, in the mountains of Hajar and Jabel Hafeet. The South Arabian leopard is a nocturnal animal that goes hunting at night. He hunts Arabian gazelles, Cape hares, various rodents, Cape hyraxes.

White or Arabian oryx

This species of antelope lives in the remote desert expanses of the UAE. There are also white oryxes among deserts and semi-deserts in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Although the species was declared extinct in the 1970s, successful captive breeding and reintroduction programs have allowed it to recover.

The wool of the Arabian oryx is almost snow-white, but the lower part of the body and legs are colored brown. There may be black stripes on the head. The horns of these UAE animals are long and straight.

Arabian oryx feed mainly on herbs. But they can also eat roots, fruits, plant buds. These UAE animals are well adapted to life in the desert. They can go without water for several weeks.

Arabian wolf

This subspecies of the gray wolf was previously found throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Now its population is limited to separate areas in the open spaces of some countries in this region, including the UAE.

The Arabian wolf is the smallest member of its family. Also, this is the only species of wolves that have adapted to life in the desert. It has comparatively large ears to help dissipate body heat.

The Arabian wolf can hunt for prey, but does not disdain to eat carrion. Usually these wolves live in small groups of 2-4 individuals. Hares, dune cats, rodents and small ungulates are the main prey of these predators Emirate.

Striped hyena

This type of hyena is widespread in the Middle East, in the north and east of Africa. The total number of their population in the world is a little less than 10 thousand adults.

The striped hyena is a scavenger, but sometimes it hunts for prey itself. These animals are nocturnal. Another interesting feature of them is the simulation of death in the event of a threat to life. Striped hyenas are monogamous. Both parents take part in raising the cubs.

Dune cat

This is the only cat species that lives in the true desert. The dune cat is well adapted to life in such difficult conditions. The soles of his paws are covered with long hairs.

The coat of this predator is painted in a pale sand shade, which allows it to blend into the natural background. There may be spots and stripes on the body, which also give a masking effect. The dune cat has a small body size and long ears.

This animal is found in the UAE in both rocky and sandy deserts. Like most cats, dune cats live alone. Poaching and habitat degradation are the main threats to the life of these animals Emirate.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

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Jumeirah Beach

The area in the city of Dubai stretches for 21 km along the coast of the Persian Gulf. It has a huge number of paid, free areas, called the common word “Jumeirah Beach”. There are sites with a specific name (La Mer, Mercato, Kite, Sunset, Oulen) and many nameless, semi-wild. The quality of the equipped sites is about the same.

They are covered with soft white or golden sand, have a gentle slope into the water, shallow depth near the shore. A popular holiday destination for Russian families with children is the Jumeirah Open Beach area. It is located near the Parus Hotel. Nearby is a jogging track for cyclists, roller skaters, joggers. The infrastructure includes a minimum number of elements (changing cabins, toilets, showers, barbecue areas).

For the entertainment of children, it is recommended to visit the playground built nearby. It is necessary to strictly observe the rules of conduct in the recreation area of ​​Dubai. There are large fines, deportation, and sometimes imprisonment (for example, drinking alcohol is strongly discouraged). It is forbidden to photograph local women.

La Mer

The new beach area of ​​Dubai (built in 2018), almost 2.5 km long, appeared in the Palm Jumeirah area recently, but quickly became a creative, unusual vacation spot. It is easy to get here by metro or bus. All the details of the architectural structures are thought out for a comfortable stay. The coastal quarter is conditionally divided into 4 parts: an entertainment center (with 130 active places), the North Island, the South Island, and the beach.

There are two lagoons with a large number of restaurants, bars, cafes. Between them is the water park “Laguna” with water slides, waterfalls, pools, separate places for swimming for kids. A real green oasis of luxurious palm trees and rare flowers grows around. In the recreation area there are many benches, armchairs, hammocks, fountains in which you are allowed to swim.

The infrastructure has all the necessary elements built in an original way and complementing its beautiful appearance. It provides a unique opportunity to combine a relaxing holiday with active entertainment. The best time to relax is the end of autumn, the beginning of winter.

Ajman

Almost 10 km of the coast of the Persian Gulf is given over to the recreation areas of the emirate of Ajman. The main part is divided into areas owned by hotels. Modern buildings (over 40 of them) are located along the entire coast. They have everything you need for a high quality holiday. The absence of a vibrant nightlife makes it calm, comfortable for families with children, the elderly. The entire coast has a gentle entrance to the water. There are no large stones, sharp shells on it.

The coast is covered with fine sand of almost white color. It is always clean, well-groomed, comfortable. The free city beach is located just behind the shady alley. It has benches, changing cabins, deck chairs, gazebos, barbecue areas. The lifeguard service is constantly working. Tourists choose to book a hotel with their own seating area. It could be The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah 5* . Accommodation is available in 4-storey buildings or in beautiful villas.

500 m part of the coast of The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah 5 *, located among the mangrove forest or Ajman Hotel 5 * is the greenest on the coast. The climate in Ajman is dry, subtropical with rare rains. In summer, not very pleasant sandstorms rise, and the air temperature reaches 45 ° C. The best time to relax is the period from October to May, when the air temperature is 23 – 25 ° C.

An unforgettable experience during the holidays from October to May is camel racing, which has become a national sport. From the point of view of prohibitions, the emirate is considered the most democratic, but in shorts, open T-shirts you can’t walk the streets of the city. It is forbidden to photograph local women bathing in burkinis, topless sunbathing, drinking alcohol in the recreation area. For this they can be expelled from the country. It is proposed to get to the small emirate from the airports of Dubai, Sharjah.

Al-Batin

Abu Dhabi is one of the hottest cities in the world. Tropical dry climate forms here warm winters and hot summers. The air temperature reaches 45°C in winter. At night it drops to 35°C and 25°C. There are no rains, air humidity is determined by the influence of the Persian Gulf and is 40-50%. The water temperature in the cozy bay of the bay is comfortable for swimming all year round. In winter the temperature is 22°C, in summer 30°C.

The absence of waves does not attract surfers here. Fishing is prohibited near the shore. The beach area occupies 800 m of the coastline, surrounded by a beautiful palm alley. It overlooks the Hudayriyat island. The coast is divided into two parts. One of them allows free admission to everyone. There are many equipped sports grounds, changing cabins, special beds for relaxation. The population of the city chooses this place of rest for active activities on the shore, in the water.

Here you can always rent a jet ski, water skiing, kayaking, kayaking. Parking spaces for personal vehicles are equipped nearby, as well as cafes. On the other side there may be women with children (boys under 6 years old). Paid entrance. It is forbidden to come with dogs, put up tents, take pictures. It is proposed to come to the place of rest by taxi, bus routes from 7 am to 11 pm.

RIVA Beach Club

Feel the features of the best vacation on the planet is offered in a romantic place “RIVA Beach Club”. This is one of the first recreation areas, equipped on the famous Palm Jumeirah Dubai. It is not assigned to a specific resort. Pure water, soft sand, gentle sun, comfortable sunbeds, umbrellas (placed at a great distance from each other), high quality service (algae near the shore are removed instantly), swimming pools for adults and children.

Cafe, restaurant in the form of a tent with an open terrace, provide a full, comfortable stay. With the onset of evening twilight, candles are lit everywhere, creating a romantic atmosphere. The conditions of stay are similar to a spa resort with its own fitness center, yoga studio, beauty salons, shops. Including the famous flower shop Bliss. The club is chosen by lovers of good music, delicious food and great entertainment. Locals often come here with the whole family.

Al Corniche

The third largest emirate of the country is called its cultural capital. It has many budget places to stay with a high level of service. It is possible to choose a hotel to stay right on the shore of the bay and listen to the calm splashing of the waves at night. No wonder the word “Corniche” in Arabic means “quay”.

The beach area begins at the Women’s Club and stretches along the coast to the Coral Beach 4 * hotel with a long strip covered with white (imported) and yellow (local) sand. It conditionally allocates places for families with children, youth, and the elderly. The sandy strip is separated from the city by an alley of palm trees, which allows you to hide from the bright sun (it is additionally suggested to rent an umbrella). The recreation area is considered the largest, most spacious among the rest of the beaches in the UAE.

At a distance of 40 m you can see a number of buoys that ensure the safety of navigation. There are no undercurrents near the coast. The convenient infrastructure of the embankment attracts a large number of residents of the city, guests, and allows everyone to stay at any time. Entrance without payment every day. There is free parking nearby. Nearby is the Bedouin village “Heritage”, where it is proposed to learn the features of the ancient culture of the emirates.

Nasimi Beach

On one of the Palm Islands, there is the Atlantic complex with a paid coastal strip, popular with young people and financially wealthy people. On the imported snow-white sand, not only sunbeds, umbrellas, but also beautiful puffs, hammocks, closed tents are placed. It is recommended to book them in advance. The entrance ticket costs $40.

Fans of active entertainment are provided with playgrounds for football, volleyball, badminton. The little ones swim in the children’s pools. Adults are invited to visit the SPA center, restaurant, fashion boutique. On Friday and Saturday there are fun parties with music until the morning.

The swimming area is small and limited by buoys at a distance of 10 m from the shore. Arriving at Nasimi Beach is easy on the monorail leading to the islands. The fare is paid separately, and for a trip to the metro and tram (they must go to the beginning of the road), a single ticket is valid.

Al Mamzar

Holidays in Dubai are especially popular. This is the rare beauty of nature, the mysterious spirit of the East, entertainment in modern entertainment complexes, high-quality service in hotels, restaurants, numerous excursions to museums and amazing places in the UAE. Bliss on the white sand of the most luxurious areas in the famous Al Mamzar beach and park complex.

Five sites are located along the coast of the Persian Gulf and one between Dubai and Sharjah. The length of the used coast is 3500 m. The waves of the open sea do not fall into a protected place and create special conditions for families with small children. On the territory of the complex grow exotic trees, flowers in colorful, well-groomed flower beds.

Among the thickets of 1600 species of palms, 6000 species of trees there are sports, playgrounds, a rental service with the presence of land and water transport. Lunch is offered in numerous cafes and restaurants. In recreation area No. 4 there are 15 modern bungalows for rent by vacationers.

Attractions include an observation tower with an overview of the surroundings, an amphitheater. Swimming pool, rides, SPA centers, water activities amaze with their variety and originality. The mode of everyday work is specified in advance. You can come to Dubai for vacation at any time of the year.

Dibba

The city is located at the foot of the Hajjar Mountains on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The first settlements here arose in the distant Iron Age. Natural beauty, the unusual atmosphere of antiquity attracts a large flow of tourists to the modern resort. Moreover, it offers conditions for a luxurious, comfortable stay.

These are resort city hotels with swimming pools, high-class service, wonderful beach areas. They offer not only to bask under the rays of the gentle sun on the soft sand, swim for a long time, but also master the elements of diving. The underwater world of Dibba amazes with an abundance of colorful corals, a multitude of inhabitants of the water expanses. A large coastal recreation area has an impeccable reputation for ecological condition.

The natural beauty is complemented by an unforgettable mountain landscape. It is proposed to come to the recreation area from Dubai by bus, car and stay at the campsite at night. At this time, you can observe an unusual natural phenomenon – this is a meteor shower. Of interest is a visit to the Dibba Al-Hisn fortress of the 19th century, an old Portuguese fort built in the 17th century.

Al Muntazah

Located in the emirate of Sharjah immediately after Al Corniche. It is recommended to overcome the distance from the city center by taxi or car. Bus routes pass through nearby streets. Near the coastal strip, which stretches for 1.2 km, there are no entertainment venues, numerous restaurants, cafes, noisy shopping centers.

They are located on the streets of the city, running parallel to the coast at a certain distance. This part of the strict emirate is designed for a relaxing holiday among pristine nature with bright sun and clear sea. Most tourists sunbathe on the private beaches of hotels. It is not crowded here even during the high season. Light yellow sand, gentle descent into the water, clean bottom, clear water attract locals here.

On Tuesday, women’s days are traditionally held in public areas of the coast. Men and boys do not come. The best time to visit here is from November to April. The air temperature at this time is about 30. It is recommended to spend the daytime in places protected from the sun. In addition, at this time there is an increase in the level of humidity. At night it is cool due to the breeze coming from the Persian Gulf.

Al Sufuh

The area is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf near the famous resort of Palm Jumeirah. With a new, well-groomed recreation area, buildings with unusual architecture look like fabulous giants. They immediately became the hallmark of the emirates. Accommodation in the hotels of the area is considered to be affordable and an ideal place to enjoy the architectural wonders of the country to its fullest. The sun, the sea, the clean coast here are no worse than in other areas.

Nearby there is a road on which bus routes operate and it is easy to come to the recreation area. The main thing is not to forget the camera. It will be impossible to stop filming. Moreover, nearby are Dubai Marina, Burj Al) “Hotel Sail”, Arab Palm Jumeirah. The infrastructure of the coastal strip is not luxurious, but everything is compensated by a chic view and a serene vacation on the shores of a beautiful, clear sea, visiting a water park with unusual water attractions.

Al Khan

This strip on the coast of the Persian Gulf is one of the recreation areas of the emirate of Sharjah. Its length is 600 m. On the white sand, in clear azure waters, locals like to relax on weekends. Modern hotels have been built here for guests, the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay have been created. Moreover, its cost is much lower than on the coast of Dubai.

The recreation area includes cafes, restaurants, sports and playgrounds, shops. Parking for personal vehicles is at some distance and you have to walk. This is due to the large number of hotels built along the coast.

The rental services provide sunbeds, umbrellas, equipment for entertainment on the water. In a cozy lagoon you can always find a calm, secluded place. The only drawback is considered to be the appearance here of colored jellyfish, stingrays in the month of October. They are advised to be handled with care. For a variety of recreation, it is proposed to visit the Oceanarium, the Maritime Museum.

Kite beach

The public beach in Dubai with free access is chosen by lovers of outdoor activities. It is proposed to come here by a separate transfer. Despite the developed infrastructure, walking distance to shops, the coastal strip is more often than others occupied by kite surfers with incredible tricks in the sky. For them, classes are held in a special school. In it you can take advantage of hourly classes with a private instructor.

The fee includes the provision of the necessary equipment. By the way, it is issued by the rental service only to experienced athletes. The recreation area is equipped with sports grounds for football, volleyball, badminton, trampoline. You can visit the place of sports entertainment at any time of the day. You can walk on the sand without special shoes. Car parking places are located on the coastal strip and near the road. They differ in the amount of payment. Nearby is an area with attractions, convenient for families.

Umbrella

Located near the city center of Fujairah in the youngest emirate, established in 1953. It is the only part of the UAE, which is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Oman). The emirate has the oldest Al Bidia mosque, Al-Wurraya waterfalls, Ain Al-Madhab gardens, popular hot springs of Ain Al-Gamu. They are invited to watch in between visiting the free beach. It does not have luxurious conditions for a comfortable stay. There are no changing rooms or showers. There are umbrellas, sun loungers and the endless Indian Ocean.

A huge number of fish and crabs swim along its shores. After high tide, interesting shells appear on the shore. Yellow-gray sand, gentle descent into the water, the special cleanliness of the coast (special services strictly monitor this) attracts here those who want to meet real nature, relax with friends, and take advantage of numerous barbecues. You need to know that swimming here is only allowed in a one-piece swimsuit and it is forbidden to go outside the coastal strip in it.

Lou-Lu’a

Get a great tan, enjoy the sun, crystal clear waters of the Persian Gulf is offered on the coastal strip of Lou Lou’a Beach. Often this recreation area is called “Pearl”. Lovers of active recreation come here. With small children, it is recommended to choose a calmer place, without swift currents. Sailing, riding catamarans, kayaks, boats, windsurfing is popular with residents and guests.

For their accommodation are offered rooms in hotels with first-class service. Here you can also play tennis, darts, visit the gym, eat delicious food at a local restaurant. A large number of vacationers come to the coast with fine light sand in the evenings. It should be borne in mind that all security services work until 6 pm.

When the blue jellyfish influx, warning red flags are hung out. It is a public recreation area in Sharjah. It is distinguished by unobtrusive service, the possibility of organizing independent recreation without excessive care from the organizers of resort leisure. Hotels are located on the coastline within walking distance of the beaches.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

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Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

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Passenger transportation in Dubai is managed by the state-owned company RTA – Roads and Transport Authority * , which was founded in 2005. RTA provides transportation not only within the city, but also connects it with other emirates, neighboring countries, thereby ensuring the efficiency and integration of the UAE transport system.

Dubai’s public transport system is not just “in step with the times”, but far ahead of it. In 2018, a unique type of public transport was tested in Dubai – autonomous capsules designed for 10 people. The capsules are designed to carry passengers over short distances along specially dedicated tracks and are equipped with heavy-duty protection systems against accidents and malfunctions. It is planned that by 2030, 20% of Dubai’s public transport will become autonomous, but for now, it remains to study the existing public transport of the “city of the future”.

Driving in Dubai: transport zones, rules and tickets

The city is divided into 7 transport zones, which are completely covered by the surface transport network. The fare will directly depend on the number of zones crossed. Children under 5 years old or up to 90 centimeters tall are entitled to free travel. Subway cars come in standard and premium “Gold Class” (fare will vary).

Cash payments are not accepted on public transport in Dubai. The travel ticket is the Nol card.

Red card Nol

Paper non-personal card for infrequent trips. You can buy a card at ticket sales points or special machines. The card is replenished in ticket machines. Online replenishment on the official website for this type of cards is not available. The red card is valid for 90 days or 10 trips.

The cost of the red card in 2022 is 2 AED (+ minimum balance must be 1 trip). The card can be topped up for up to 10 trips at once. The downside is that the red card can only be used on one mode of transport at a time (metro only or bus only). You cannot pay for parking with this card.

Red card fares in 2022:

• Within 1 zone – 4 AED ;
• Within two consecutive zones – 6 AED ;
• More than two zones – 8.5 AED ;
• Unlimited per day (for travel in ordinary class cars) –  20 AED .

If you want to transfer with a red card to the “Gold Class” luxury lounge, then the cost of any of the above tariffs is exactly doubled.

Nol Silver Card

Plastic non-personal card for frequent trips. You can buy and replenish the card balance at ticket sales points, RTA offices, certified points of sale (from partners) or special machines. Online recharge is also available. The silver card is valid for 5 years.

The cost of the card in 2022 is 25 AED ( 19 AED remain on the balance sheet). The card can be topped up with a maximum of  1000 AED and can be used on all types of public transport. This card can also be used to pay for parking. A video on how to top up the card can be viewed here .

Silver card fares in 2022:

• Within 1 zone – 3 AED ;
• Within two consecutive zones – 5 AED ;
• More than two zones – 7.5 AED .

Nol golden card

A plastic non-personal card that gives the right to access the “Gold Class” luxury lounges. In fact, the gold card is a complete analogue of the silver one, and the main difference lies only in admission to the Gold Class wagons in public transport, where available. If you travel on buses where the “Gold Class” is simply not available, then you will not be charged an increased fare for using the premium class.

The cost of the card in 2022 is 25 AED ( 19 AED remain on the balance sheet). The Gold Card is valid for 5 years. You can buy a gold card at metro ticket offices, and top up at ticket sales points, RTA offices, certified points of sale (from partners), special machines or online. This card can also be used to pay for parking. The card can be used in all types of public transport.

Gold card fares in 2022:

• Within 1 zone – 6 AED ;
• Within two consecutive zones – 10 AED ;
• More than two zones – 15 AED .

Also on sale is a plastic personal blue Nol card , which is available to local residents, since an ID card is required to purchase it. More information about tickets can be found on the  official Nol* website.

Check in – in Dubai Public Transport

After you have approached the turnstiles in the subway, you need to swipe your Nol card to the reader at the entrance. In buses and other modes of transport, readers are located in the passenger compartment at the entrance. Before using the card, make sure that it has at least 7.50 AED on its balance . This amount is needed in case you forget to go through the check out procedure, which is described below. After a successful card swiping procedure, you should wait for a sound or green light signal and only then go through the metro turnstile / into the bus cabin.

According to the advice of experienced travelers, in most cases, the Nol card for reading can not even be taken out of the wallet: other cards will not be affected. However, if there are several cards in your wallet, then it is best to get one of them to pass through the turnstile, otherwise the reading will not work. Also, you should not remove the card from the reader too quickly, as this may lead to an interruption of the transaction.

Mandatory check out

After completing the trip, be sure to go through the check-out procedure. It is absolutely identical to the one that the passenger goes through when boarding: you just need to bring your card to the reader before leaving the bus or exiting the metro. This must be done without fail, otherwise the system will deduct a much larger fare from your card.

It works like this: before boarding a transport, you present your card to the reader (check in), the system automatically “freezes” on your card the maximum amount for a ride within the city, which is 7.50 AED (even if the fare costs only 3 AED ). If, when exiting the transport, you DO NOT forget to swipe your card to the reader and thus go through check out, then your trip will cost you  3 AED as originally planned. If you just get out of the transport, for some reason forgetting or not having time to attach a card for check out, then 7.50 AED will “disappear” from your card .

If there is less than 7.50 AED left on the card balance , then payment for the fare becomes impossible, even if you need to travel for  3 AED.

Peculiarities

In order to get to the destination (only in one direction), you can make transfers, however, the time period that is given to the passenger to change transport should not exceed 30 minutes. For example, you pass a section of the path on the subway, then you need to change to a bus in order to get to your destination. If you manage to do it in less than 30 minutes, then your trip on the metro and bus will be counted as one. This rule only applies to a one-way ticket. If you check out and then check in at the same station, it will count as a new trip, not a transfer.

Another feature that you should be prepared for: you can replenish the card balance only in an amount that is a multiple of 5 AED . If you have very little time left to spend in Dubai, then you should not replenish the card for a large amount.

Fines in Dubai public transport and rules of conduct

In Dubai, it is customary to observe a strict order. Public transport is no exception to this. It is worth remembering that Dubai is a city of a Muslim country with its own order and way of life, which require unquestioning respect. The system of fines is quite extensive and strict, so armed with knowledge, you can not “run into” unpleasant extra expenses.

Subway fines , according to the RTA* official website:

• Travel without payment / with the wrong card / expired, etc. –  200 AED. The same amount of the fine awaits those who leave behind any garbage or smoke in the subway;
• Travel on a fake card – 500 AED;
• Staying at stations in areas not provided for waiting for transport (fenced, prohibited areas, etc.) – 100 AED;
• It is forbidden to put your feet on the seats, stand or sit in transport in places not provided for this. It is forbidden to sit in seats for the disabled (if the passenger is not one). It is forbidden to make noise and cause inconvenience to passengers by incorrect behavior. It is forbidden to eat and drink outside specially designated areas. It is forbidden to transport animals (except guide dogs). Fine – 100 AED;
• It is forbidden to sleep on the shoulder of another passenger. Fine – 300 AED;
• Damage to property or use of emergency equipment without the need – 2000 AED;
• If you were seen on the subway with an alcoholic drink – 500 AED;
• Transportation of weapons / flammable substances / piercing and cutting objects – 1000 AED , etc.

The fine can be paid at any metro station.

The fines on the bus are slightly less:

• Smoking in the bus or at the bus stop; using inappropriate language when communicating with a driver, conductor or inspector; use of emergency equipment unnecessarily; drinking food or water on the bus; transportation of animals (except guide dogs); damage to property; quarrels between passengers; if you have taken seats for women or disabled people; an attempt to get out of the bus through the front door or an attempt to enter the bus through the middle door (except for women, children and the disabled) – 50 AED;
• An attempt to argue with the driver, conductor or inspector; transportation of weapons or dangerous items; if you leave trash behind you; refusal to leave the bus cabin at the request of the driver or inspector when the cabin is overloaded or the passenger’s actions violate public order – 100 AED;
• Travel without paying, on the wrong card, on an expired card or if you did not save the ticket until the end of the trip – 200 AED , etc.

Metro in Dubai

The Dubai Metro is one of the most advanced and fully automated transportation systems in the pipeline and is under expansion. Cabins are divided into 3 types: premium class with wide leather seats and a panoramic view (“Gold Class”), for women and children (indicated by pink signs) and shared cars. Premium cabins and women’s cabins are at the start of the lineup. It is fundamentally important not to neglect the established rules and to occupy the wagons in accordance with the instructions.

Wi-Fi is available in the Dubai Metro. Trains run at intervals of approximately 10 minutes. The metro consists of only three lines, one of which is a branch from the Jabal Ali station, and covers the central part of the city, the most important objects and shopping centers. In addition to the name, each station has a code.

According to the official website of the RTA, the operating hours of the Dubai Metro are:

• Red line UAE Exchange – Rashidiya: Saturday to Wednesday from 05:00 to 00:00, Thursdays from 05:00 to 01:00, Fridays from 10:00 to 01:00.
• Etisalat – Creek Green Line: Saturday to Wednesday from 05:30 to 00:00, Thursdays from 05:30 to 01:00, Fridays from 10:00 to 01:00.

A feature of the Dubai Metro is that the platforms are located on the side, and not in the center, as in any metro in Russia, so if you miss the right station, you will have to cross the platform through the transitions, paying for the fare again.

As you know, in 2020 Dubai was supposed to host the world exhibition EXPO, which had to be postponed due to the epidemiological situation to 2021. However, the postponement of the event did not prevent the completion of the new metro line “Route 2020”, the construction of which was originally timed to coincide with an important world event. The line entered service on 1 January 2021 with only 4 stations (Jebel Ali, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan) in operation initially. Two more stations (Dubai Investment Park and Expo 2020) were opened on June 1, 2021. Travel time from the iconic Dubai Marina to the exhibition venue has been reduced to 16 minutes. In the future, the “Route 2020” branch is planned to be extended to Al Maktoum Airport .

For the convenience of travelers, the official carrier RTA has developed several mobile applications with which you can plan your journey around the city by public transport in advance and view detailed instructions on how to get from one point of the city to another.

Mobile maps, public transit search, route planning and many more features are also available on the official RTA Dubai ( iOS , Android and  Microsoft ) and S’hail ( iOS and  Android ) apps. To search for public transport and build a route, you can also use the Russian-language application 2GIS (for iOS and  Android ).

Dubai buses

Dubai bus service is regulated by RTA. The “fleet” has more than 1500 cars plying on 119 lines (throughout the Emirate). The bus network covers almost 90% of the city. Buses and stops are air conditioned.

You need to enter the bus through the front door, and to exit, you must press the driver notification button. As a rule, the first three rows are only for women with children, so you should not occupy them. Fare is paid with Nol cards. Night bus N55 connects Al Maktoum Airport with Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

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Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

tripguide-uae.com

The post What language is spoken in the United Arab Emirates appeared first on Tripguide-uae.com.

The most important feature of a true Muslim is a sincere desire to serve God – Allah. All the norms of life, customs and teachings of Islam, which every Muslim follows from birth to the last days of life, heard by the prophet Muhammad from God (Allah), are set out in the holy book of Muslims – the Koran. This book for 14 centuries shows Muslims the way to a righteous life, faith in one God and due obligations. In this regard, most residents of the UAE live under the laws of Sharia (Muslim court), which subjugates the country’s legislative framework.

Unlike the other two world religions, Islam for a Muslim from the Emirates, both before and now, is the unity of culture, faith and state structure. The Muslim faith carries five unchanging rules: the first is “Tawhid” worship and reverence for the one God Allah; the second is prayer five times every day (“salad”); the third is fasting (“saum”); the fourth is the holy month of Ramadan once a year, a voluntary donation (“sunset”) and the last is the pilgrimage to Mecca (“hajj”), which every Muslim must make at least once in his life.

Arabic boy reading the QuranArabic boy reading the QuranIn most Muslim countries, as in the UAE, the legal norms are also built on the basis of moral and religious principles recorded in the Koran. In the United Arab Emirates, the Sharia court still operates, even in relation to tourists and visitors of a different religion.

Mosque domes in the UAEMosque domes in the UAEIn every district of any city in the UAE, there are several mosques, usually white or sand-colored, with domes and minarets. From the loudspeakers installed on the minarets, the sonorous song of the muezzin is heard five times a day, calling the faithful to prayer. Prayer time is different each time and is tied to a sunny day (many Muslims install special applications on their smartphones that allow them to control the time of the next prayer). Prayer rooms in the UAE can be seen even in shopping centers and the airport, Muslims, due to the situation, can even pray on the sidewalk of the street or while driving a car, the main thing is to follow certain rituals and turn towards Mecca (in most hotels in the Emirates, special stickers are placed in the rooms indicating direction). Women always pray separately from men, usually at home,

Non-Muslim tourists are not allowed to enter mosques in the Emirates. There are only two mosques in the UAE that allow tour groups between prayers: the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi and the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. The first is a unique monument not only of a religious, but also of a cultural and architectural nature.

The royal family at prayer at the Sheikh Zayed MosqueThe royal family at prayer at the Sheikh Zayed MosqueFriday for Muslims around the world is a day that they devote to prayers and rest. Earlier in the Emirates, it was Thursday and Friday that were official days off in the country. But, market conditions and the integration of the world economy into most areas of the country’s activities have made their own adjustments: for several years now, Friday and Saturday have been official days off in the Emirates, and not Thursday and Friday, as it was before.

The conversion of Muslims in the United Arab Emirates to another religion is prohibited and punishable by law in the form of imprisonment for 5-10 years (previously the measure was tougher – the death penalty). Due to the canons prescribed in the Koran, gambling (except horse racing), cohabitation and sexual relations between a man and a woman who are not married, drug distribution, sexual harassment, bodily harm, murder are strictly prohibited and punishable by law throughout the UAE And so on.

Muslims live according to the Gregorian (from a secular point of view) and according to the lunar (from a religious point of view) calendar, consisting of 354 days and 12 lunar months, according to it, the calendar has been kept since the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina. 2013 is 1434-1435 Hijri.

Clock showing prayer timesClock showing prayer timesMost of the holidays in the UAE are religious in nature, they are tied to the lunar calendar, so they shift back a few days each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. The main one, perhaps, is Eid Al Fitr – the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe the strictest fast and refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours, as well as from all kinds of entertainment. The next important Muslim holiday is Eid al-Adha (the festival of sacrifice), which is celebrated on a grand scale throughout the country.

Unlike the neighboring Muslim countries of the Persian Gulf, in the UAE, the majority of believers (85%), including the ruling elite, profess Sunni Islam (Sunnis and Shiites are the two main branches of Islam). As a result, the sectarian civil unrest characteristic of the region, which has occurred over the past few years, for example, in neighboring Qatar and Bahrain, is completely absent.

Mosque in the UAE during holiday prayersMosque in the UAE during holiday prayersDespite the fact that Islam reigns on the territory of the United Arab Emirates, Orthodox churches can also be found here (in each emirate), the main one is the Church of St. Philip the Apostle in Sharjah, and ruins were found on the territory of Sir Bani Yas island (the only ones in the region) an ancient monastery built in the year 600 from the birth of Christ.

Of course, tourists of other religions who came to the UAE, unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia, are not forced to dress in local clothes and wrap women in all black, the Emirates is a completely advanced state, whose inhabitants cannot be surprised by anything. But, despite this, when coming to rest in the UAE, you must remember that the Arabs treat their faith with great trepidation. Therefore, many gestures and manners that are harmless to us for a local resident of the Emirates may not be permissible. For example, we advise you to give and take objects only with your right hand (the left hand is considered dirty in the Muslim world), you can’t put your feet in the direction of the Arabs (this is a terrible insult), and also wear provocative and open clothes or clothes with inscriptions that humiliate Islam or a sexual nature , it is forbidden to kiss and hug in public places and so on. You can read more about tips for tourists in our article “Rules of conduct and prohibitions in the UAE ”. We must not forget that in the Emirates, due to the religion of the bulk of the population, dry law reigns, you will not find alcoholic products on store shelves (except for Duty Free at the airport), any alcohol can only be purchased in a bar or restaurant with a license (usually at hotels), but appearing on the street while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

tripguide-uae.com

The post Religion in the UAE appeared first on Tripguide-uae.com.

Personal experience of the editors of Tripguide-uae.com. We spent 4 full days in Dubai and spent 300 dirhams ($80) on food for two. That is $10 per day per person. Very little! We tried new dishes of Middle Eastern cuisine, ate delicious Indian and Bangladeshi food, had a bite of shawarma a couple of times (well, as without it in the East!) And once bought ready-made food in a supermarket. All were satisfied.

What to try in Dubai

Emirati cuisine has absorbed the traditions of the Middle Eastern, Bedouin, Persian and Asian cuisine. If you want to taste national food, look for establishments labeled emirati cuisine. According to reviews, tourists like Emirati restaurants Al Fanar and Seven Sands.

We recommend trying in Dubai:

• Fried fish with spices.
• Briki – pies stuffed with fish, shrimp and meat.
• Balalit is a popular breakfast dish of sweet and salty noodles with scrambled eggs.
• Kheris – boiled wheat with meat.
• Ferid – meat stew with potatoes and vegetables.
• Guzi – lamb meat with nuts and raisins.
• Al-madruba – boiled heavily salted fish.
• Biryani is rice with chicken or lamb.
• Desserts with dates.
• Chebab – unleavened pancakes with sweet syrup or cheese.
• Pistachio baklava.
• Street food: masala dosa, manakish, barbary.

Prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Dubai – 2022

Let’s see how much it costs to eat in Dubai.

If you want to save money , go to restaurants in the Bur Dubai and Deira areas. You can have breakfast there for 15-25 AED per person. Lunch or dinner for two in a non-touristic cafe costs only 40-50 AED for two.

Low prices for food in Dubai in national restaurants of Thai, Chinese and Indian cuisine. A hearty meal will cost 10-20 AED. Lebanese restaurants in Dubai are recommended by expats because they offer the best combination of quality and price. Main meals start at AED 30 and drinks start at AED 12. You can also eat inexpensively at the chain of budget restaurants Golden fork.

Also, pay attention to business lunches – they cost from 15 to 30 AED. Great way to save money!

In ordinary restaurants, the average check for lunch or dinner per person is about 80-150 AED. For this money, they will bring you an appetizer, main course, dessert and coffee. Here are the prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Dubai in 2022: kebab costs AED 35-55, al-madruba – AED 17, fried shark – AED 70, brik – AED 25-32, and coffee or tea – AED 20.

The bill in prestigious restaurants starts from 250 AED and goes over 1000 AED. Read about the best restaurants below.

If you want to try the national cuisine and get an unusual experience at the same time, go on a desert safari, where you will be fed a Bedouin dinner. There is exactly the same safari with a group. Another unusual option is to dine on an Arabian boat and watch the lights of Dubai in the evening.

The best restaurants in Dubai

Dubai is associated with luxury. If you want to feel the flavor of a fashionable resort, just take a look at these expensive restaurants.

At.Mosphere is an iconic restaurant on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa . From the windows you can see the whole of Dubai! Book a table in advance and be prepared to pay a deposit.

Al Mahara is one of the most prestigious restaurants in Dubai and specializes in seafood. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the famous skyscraper Burj Al Arab. The feature of the restaurant is a huge floor-to-ceiling aquarium. For the pleasure of having dinner here, be prepared to pay from 900 AED.

Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge is an oriental restaurant for those who want to eat with a view of the desert. There is live music and the chefs prepare delicious Lebanese, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

The Gold On 27 bar is also located in the Burj Al Arab. Come here to eat and enjoy the city view from the 27th floor. The name of the bar was given for a reason – designer interiors are decorated with gold leaf. Prices are appropriate – cocktails cost from 100 AED.

Drink prices

The most important drink in Dubai is plain water. It sells for 1 AED for a 0.33 liter bottle. Why so expensive? All water in the city is imported. Freshly squeezed juices cost from 21 AED per 0.5 liter. The cafe offers an excellent cappuccino made from selected Arabica beans for 12 AED.

How about alcohol? Muslim traditions forbid alcoholic beverages. This rule does not apply to tourists, but drinking alcohol in public places is subject to a rather large fine of 5000 AED. Drinking in Dubai is only allowed at home, in a hotel room or bar.

Strong spirits are expensive and are sold in special shops. Alcohol prices in Dubai in 2022: 0.5 liters of local beer costs 25-45 AED, and 0.33 liters of imported beer costs 30-45 AED. A bottle of wine can be bought for 45-100 AED.

Fast food in Dubai

If you want to get acquainted with the national cuisine, start with what is cooked on the streets. It is noteworthy that there are almost no Emirati dishes left in Dubai fast food. Everything that is traded in Dubai has Middle Eastern or Levantine roots.

Prices for street food in Dubai in 2022 are low. According to tourists, the cheapest, most delicious and hearty lunch is shawarma. It costs only 5-8 AED. Dish number 2 – manakish. This traditional Arabic flatbread is stuffed with pickled cheese, sesame seeds and spices. It costs 14 AED.

Many people like deep-fried balls of crushed chickpeas – falafel. On the streets, small balls are sold in pita bread or lettuce with sesame sauce for 25 AED.

A whole pizza can be bought for 35-45 AED, and Indian pancakes with fillings – masala dosa – only 5 AED. Grilled chicken costs AED 17-22, and barbary sesame tortilla is AED 1.4.

Food prices in Dubai stores

The most affordable food prices in Dubai are in Coop Union, Shaklan, Carrefour, Safest Way, Organic Foods and Cafe, Lulu Hypermarket and Baqer Mohebi supermarkets. Most of them sell products from local farmers. Shoppers like the stores of the Emirates Cooperative Society chain, which is simply called Co-op in the city.

In the markets, food is a little cheaper than in supermarkets. You won’t get much benefit, but it’s worth going to the market. You will feel the colorful atmosphere of the oriental bazaar, bargain and get vivid impressions. By the way, we advise you to feel the oriental flavor on this tour of the Old Town .

If you want to save on food, follow the promotions in major stores in Dubai. Shoppers are offered discounts on the products of the day and organize profitable sales on weekends. Pay close attention to the announcements at the entrance.

Every supermarket has a prepared food section. Prices for such products in Dubai in 2022 are low: a bun – 1.4 AED, mini pizza – 2 AED, samsa – 2.4 AED, lamb skewers – from 2.6 AED, soups – from 4.2 AED, boiled rice – 20 AED per 1 kg. Warm up your food in the microwave, and a hearty meal is ready!

What you need to know

Almost all food prepared in the city is halal. Only in some areas, dishes with pork are made especially for foreigners.

Special rules exist for traveling to Dubai for Ramadan. This is a Muslim holiday, during which it is forbidden to eat any food from morning until sunset. All resort restaurants are closed during the day during the month. But in the evening, a real feast begins in Dubai.

There is a strict dress code for cafes and restaurants – in Dubai it is not customary to come to dinner in beachwear.

Tipping in the UAE is 10-15% of the bill. If the check does not indicate accruals, give the waiter the required amount in cash.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

tripguide-uae.com

The post From shawarma to restaurant: cuisine and food prices in Dubai appeared first on Tripguide-uae.com.

The United Arab Emirates seems to foreigners a fabulous country with an incredibly high standard of living, and this is not far from the truth. The UAE has managed to transform itself from a poor region into an ideal place of residence in a few years. The Emirates attract people from the countries of the former CIS with the luxurious skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, beautiful landscapes and the highest level of service.

With a UAE passport, you can freely travel to 173 countries of the world, it occupies the 16th position in the ranking of “strong” passports. Citizens of a federal state can live, work and study in peace, open a business in the country without any restrictions. However, the authorities, which provide huge privileges to local residents, do not seek to open borders; UAE citizenship is assigned only in exceptional cases and under serious restrictions.

Conditions for obtaining citizenship

About 90% of foreigners live in the UAE, and although the government strongly welcomes the replenishment of labor reserves through immigrants, the Emirates is still one of the most closed countries in the world. However, there are some conditions, by fulfilling which you can apply for UAE citizenship.

Arab citizens of Omani, Bahraini or Qatari origin need to “recruit” only 7 years. Other conditions for applicants for UAE citizenship:

• the presence of a legal source of income for living;
• good reputation confirmed by local residents;
• knowledge of the Arabic language of a certain level;
• lack of criminal histories in the past;
• compliance with the laws of the UAE.

Applicants for the UAE passport are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and the rulers of the Emirates, after which the foreigner takes the oath. Naturalized citizens do not receive the right to participate in local elections, with the exception of persons from Arab countries.

Ways to obtain citizenship

Those who were born in one of the seven monarchies – members of the federal state were lucky to become citizens of the Emirates. For foreigners, there are only three options for acquiring UAE citizenship: marriage to an Emirati, special merit and naturalization. More about each method in the following blocks.

By birth

A child acquires UAE citizenship by birth if his father is a citizen of the Emirates. In this case, the country of birth does not matter. Even if the mother is not married to an Emirati, he officially recognizes the baby. Citizenship is also given to children born:

• on the territory of the state from unknown parents;
• Emirati mother and unknown father.

The birth within the borders of the UAE of children from foreign citizens does not give them the right to automatically acquire citizenship.

Marriage

Only women who have entered into a marriage union with a citizen of the Emirates can obtain a UAE passport through marriage. But before applying for UAE citizenship, you must live together for at least 5 years, of which 3 years – in marriage. It is important to remember that the mere fact of registering a relationship is not sufficient, a foreigner must fulfill a number of conditions:

• renounce their first citizenship;
• obtain the approval of the spouse’s family;
• request permission from the UAE Ministry of Interior.

In practice, marriages with foreign women are entered into only by wealthy Emirates, the fact is that with such unions, the state deprives the family of certain privileges (interest-free loans for housing, soft loans). There is another difficulty – in the event of a divorce, the father becomes the guardian of the children, and without his permission, the mother will not be able to take them out of the country. Men of foreign origin are not legally entitled to UAE citizenship after marrying an Arab woman. In addition, issues of faith are connected here, few Muslim women will dare to violate the Koran. Previously, children from such a marriage were also deprived of the right to citizenship, but, following the recommendations of the UN, the authorities revised these norms.

Naturalization

Those who are willing to wait so long should think about obtaining a resident visa – as such, there is no residence permit in the Emirates. A resident visa can be obtained for employment in an Arab company, through the purchase of real estate or the opening of a business. Students of Emirati universities can “fix” in the country with a further job search. Visas are issued for different periods (depending on the grounds), all of them are subject to prolongation.

Employment can become a real chance of legalization. Foreigners are happy to be employed in the hotel business, where salaries are rather high, especially for luxury hotels in Dubai. The applicant must have at least basic knowledge of English. At the end of the working contract, you can get a certificate with which you will be hired in any hotel in the world. Employees who have proven themselves well will be able to continue to renew their work permit (as long as they have an employment contract in hand). Important: with this method of emigration, restrictions on the transfer of the family are possible, all the nuances are resolved directly with the employer. It is also worth discussing the terms of the social package in advance – reputable companies provide foreigners with a place of residence, food, insurance and pay for travel tickets.

Studying at an Arab university will require knowledge of English at the native level; for admission, you must provide a TOEFL or IELTS certificate. The annual cost of education is 5-10 thousand dollars in Arab universities and starts from 20 thousand dollars – in branches of British universities.  You cannot get a job with a student visa, but a university graduate will be able to find a job in the UAE with a high starting salary and continue the naturalization procedure.

Acquiring real estate allows you to obtain a resident visa for 3 years, with a cost of housing from 1 million dirhams (~ 270 thousand $). The required level of monthly income is 10 thousand Dh. The owner is allowed to personally live in the apartment or rent it out. The visa does not allow employment, but its holder can legally stay in the Emirates, open bank accounts. While maintaining the conditions of residence, the permit is repeatedly extended.

Starting your own business involves investments in the amount of 70 thousand Dh (~ 19 thousand $), then you can apply for a resident visa for a businessman. The procedure for registering a company varies by emirates, you should consult in advance with local migration services. When investing in a new or existing company, a foreigner can get a job, but only in a company in which he is an investor. A business visa is issued for 3 years, and the family of an immigrant also receives a resident status. You can cross the borders of the UAE without restrictions, but not more than 180 days a year, otherwise the permit will be canceled.

Sponsor family visa is issued to the spouse and children of a resident officially employed in the Emirates. For its registration, the host relative must receive a salary of 4 thousand Dh (if the employer did not provide housing) and 3 thousand Dh (with housing under the contract). If there are more than two family members, this level is insufficient for a comfortable stay. The permit is valid exactly as long as the visa of the sponsor himself, with prolongation accordingly.

For special merit

In rare cases, UAE citizenship is awarded to outstanding foreigners who are interested in the state. These include the following categories:

• Doctors who have made an invaluable contribution to their scientific field, with 10 years of work experience.
• World-class award-winning research scientists with over 10 years of experience and references from UAE scientific institutions.
• Inventors with one or more patents approved by the Emirates Ministry of Economy.
• Creative personalities who have been awarded international distinctions and who have discovered new trends in art.
• Outstanding athletes who subsequently compete in world competitions from the UAE.

The emir of one of the seven monarchies can apply to the president with a request to grant citizenship to an honored foreigner. The request is granted at the federal level, and the UAE passport is presented by the head of the emirate.

For investment

Previously, capital investments in the economy of the United Arab Emirates did not give a direct right to citizenship; in early 2021, the government prepared amendments to the legislation. The changes have not yet come into effect, and at the moment, investment remains one of the long-term options for obtaining UAE citizenship. Through investment, an immigrant will be able to obtain a long-term visa for 5 or 10 years, with the right to live and work in the state:

• A 5-year visa is issued for investments in real estate in the amount of 5 million (Dh) or $1.36 million. You need to be the owner for at least 3 years. Dubai apartments are especially popular among foreigners.
• A 10-year visa is obtained by an investor who has invested in a business from 10 million Dh (~ 2.7 million $). To do this, you can put money on a deposit or register a company.

Investments must be very large, each case is considered on an individual basis and the amount of investment is of great importance.

New Talent Program

From December 2020, the Emirates Government is issuing a 10-year visa to qualified foreigners who wish to relocate to the UAE. Doctors of sciences, programmers, developers of artificial intelligence technologies, epidemiologists and virologists, graduates of certain universities will be able to receive such permission. A long-term visa together with an immigrant is received by his children and spouse. Upon expiration, the permit is renewed, and subsequently you can apply for UAE citizenship. Thus, the authorities attract talented foreigners to the country.

The procedure for obtaining citizenship

Naturalization is handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the petition is drawn up in the name of the president and sent to the office along with a solid set of documents. One of the key conditions is a fairly high level of income of the applicant. In the Emirates, $5,000 a month is a low rung on the social ladder, and a foreigner with $1,500 a month will be declared financially insolvent. The second important factor is compliance with UAE laws and international immigration regulations. The candidate will have to pass an exam in culture, history and legislation of the UAE. The level of Arabic language proficiency is checked by an oral interview and a written exam. Migration officers may invite the applicant for an interview several times, to understand the personality. The application is considered for a long time – sometimes up to 3 years, with a positive result, the foreigner is awarded a certificate of UAE citizenship.

Required documents

A foreigner who has fulfilled all the legal conditions forms a package of documents for UAE citizenship, which includes:

• application and passport;
• documents on the basis of legal residence (marriage certificate, work contract, real estate ownership, etc.);
• family book (Khulasat Al Qaid, where the head of the family enters his wives and children);
• recommendations of the employer and neighbors about the integrity of the applicant;
• papers confirming the 30-year period of residence;
• certificates of non-conviction:
• income declaration (minimum $5,000 per month).

As for the UAE passport, this document only certifies the identity and does not legally intersect with citizenship. To receive it, it is enough for people from the countries of the former CIS to stay within the borders of the Emirates for 15 years. With an Emirati passport, you can travel to other countries, it does not give other privileges.

Reasons for rejection

The procedure for acquiring citizenship of the Emirates is quite complicated and requires a lot of patience from the applicant, but even if all the requirements are met, you may face a refusal. African-Americans, Indians, Chinese and Jews do not definitely receive citizenship, although foreigners of these nationalities have the right to be in the Emirates in the status of a resident. The refusal cannot be challenged through lawsuits, the only way out is a second application, a new package of documents and again a long wait. However, registration services are free, and you can apply as many times as you like.

Dual citizenship in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates does not recognize dual citizenship. Giving a foreigner the status of a subject requires the renunciation of any other. UAE citizenship can be canceled in case of violation of the conditions of stay, non-compliance with laws, absence from the state for more than 4 years.

Benefits of living in the UAE

A citizen of the UAE enjoys numerous benefits by living in one of the most prosperous countries. He is entitled to:

• full state protection;
• high level of medical care (UAE is in the top ten world leaders);
• managerial positions and increased social status (a migrant earns 3 times less);
• free education and prestigious education (diplomas of the Emirates are recognized all over the world);
• subsidies and all kinds of benefits, bonuses for significant dates;
• civil right to purchase land.

There is no corruption, poverty in the state, and crime has been practically eradicated, there are favorable conditions for business and a very calm environment. However, life in a Muslim country with its customs and practices takes a long time to get used to, this applies to clothing, behavior and habits. Civil relations are not welcome here, extramarital affairs are considered a criminal offense. The country has strict censorship, many sites are inaccessible, there are many fines for inappropriate behavior. In addition, it is difficult for foreigners to “compete” with the Arabs in search of work; the road to unskilled vacancies and service personnel is rather open before them.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

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