By Er Mohammad Ashraf Fazili Former Chief Engineer, J&K
Abu Dhabi’s culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. The worldwide conception of Islamic nations as a hothouse for fundamentalism is in stark contrast to the reality of the UAE. The UAE’s culture is tolerant and welcoming, and foreigners are free to practise their own religion. Among the most highly prized virtues are courtesy and hospitality, and visitors are sure to be charmed by the friendliness of the people.
Arabic is the official language, although English, Urdu and Hindi are widely spoken and, with some perseverance, understood. Most road signs and shop signs are displayed in both Arabic and English languages, making navigation easy even for first-time visitors.
Islam is the official religion of the UAE and is widely practised. Earlier, Friday was the Islamic holiday, but a few years back Saturday and Sunday were declared weekend holidays. Muslims pray five times a day, for which mosques are well maintained across the country by Waqf authorities. Mosques are found in every mall and park, complete with well-maintained washrooms and ablution spaces. The Azaan, or call for prayer, is broadcast at fixed times in a low tone. In a recently constructed complex of Abrahamic religions, a mosque, a church and a synagogue have been built side by side, symbolising tolerance and coexistence. Abu Dhabi is tolerant of other religions, and people are free to practise their beliefs as long as they do not interfere with Islam. Recently, a Hindu temple was constructed in Abu Dhabi and inaugurated in February 2024 as a symbol of harmony and cultural exchange, also serving the needs of the Hindu workforce in the UAE.
Nationals largely wear traditional dress. Men wear the dishdasha or khandura, a white full-length shirt dress, paired with a white or red-checked headdress known as gutra, secured with a black cord called agal. Sheikhs and important businessmen may also wear a thin black or gold robe, or bisht, over the dishdasha at important events, equivalent to a dinner jacket. Women wear the black abaya in public, a long loose robe covering their normal clothes, along with a headscarf called the sheyla.
Abu Dhabi offers every type of international cuisine imaginable. While hotel restaurants are licensed to serve alcohol, some of the best food can be found at small street-side stands around the town. Arabic cuisine is largely meat-oriented, with limited vegetarian options. Modern Arabic cuisine reflects a blend of Moroccan, Tunisian, Iranian and Egyptian styles, along with Lebanese influences. Charcoal grilling of meat and fish is popular. Khouzi, a whole lamb served on a bed of rice mixed with nuts, is a Ramadan favourite and an authentic local dish, also served at mansaf, a traditional Bedouin dinner where dishes are placed on the floor in the centre of seated guests. Other typical dishes include kibbeh—deep-fried mince with pine nuts and bulgur—and a variety of kebabs.
Abu Dhabi has a large and active police force that is highly respected and takes community involvement seriously. Traffic police are distinguished by white sleeves and a white belt, while senior officers wear light olive-green uniforms. Police cars are clearly visible, painted red and white with blue and red lights on the roof. Police are armed, though fortunately they seldom need to use their weapons, as violent crime is extremely rare in Abu Dhabi.
The car is the most popular means of transport in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Emirates in general, either privately owned or by taxi. There is a reasonable public bus service, but walking and cycling remain limited, and there are no trains or trams at present. However, a rapid rail transit system is on the anvil as part of the Surface Transport Master Plan, intended to connect the city centre, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, the airport and other key areas through automated, driverless trains and light rail lines, to be completed in phases. Other transport proposals include a high-speed ferry linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The UAE road network is excellent, with most roads having two, three or even four lanes. Roads are well signposted with blue or green signs for main areas and brown or purple signs indicating heritage sites, places of interest and hospitals. For the benefit of locals and expatriates alike, most signs are in both Arabic and English. Great care has been taken to beautify roads and roundabouts, with tree-lined avenues, flowers, shrubs and, at times, massive coffee-pot sculptures serving as landmarks.
For expatriates, private education is the only option, with many international schools offering a wide choice of curricula. Over recent years, several institutions of higher education have opened across Abu Dhabi and other emirates, encouraging more students to pursue higher education locally. Universities in Abu Dhabi include Abu Dhabi University, Sorbonne University, Liwa University, Mohamed Bin Zayed University, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, Zayed University, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology and several others.
The quality of medical care in the Emirates is generally regarded as high, and residents and visitors face little difficulty in accessing appropriate treatment. Both private and government hospitals offer emergency services. Tourists and non-residents are strongly advised to arrange private medical insurance before travelling, as private healthcare can be expensive and public hospitals treat only nationals or resident expatriates at nominal rates. Hospitals include NMC Speciality Hospital, LLH Hospital, Ahalia Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital, Burjeel Hospital and several others.
The UAE has a subtropical arid climate with sunny blue skies and high temperatures for most of the year. Rainfall averages about 12 cm annually. Temperatures range from as low as 10°C on winter nights to highs of around 48°C in summer. The cooler months from November to April are the most pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 24°C and nights around 13°C.
Despite the arid climate, flora and fauna in the UAE are surprisingly diverse. Municipalities run extensive greening programmes, and areas near roads are remarkably verdant, with grass, palm trees and flowers watered round the clock. The 150-km road from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain remains green for much of its length, and cities boast numerous well-maintained parks. Indigenous fauna include the endangered Arabian leopard and ibex, though sightings are rare. Camels and goats are commonly seen, often fenced away from roads. Other desert life includes sand cats, foxes, hares, gerbils, hedgehogs, snakes and geckos. Bird species are reportedly increasing, particularly during migration seasons, as the UAE lies on the route between Central Asia and East Africa. Marine life is abundant, with coastal waters home to tropical fish, jellyfish, coral, dugongs, sharks, whales, dolphins and turtles.
The UAE’s commitment to environmental protection is internationally recognised, with participation in global agreements on biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, marine protection and ozone preservation. Abu Dhabi enforces strict laws on chemical insecticide use.
Sewerage infrastructure has been upgraded to cope with population growth. The Mahaq Wastewater Treatment Works treats sewage from industry and municipalities, with treated water reused for irrigation, landscaping and agriculture. Sewage is collected regularly from septic tanks and transported through pumping stations, undergoing complex treatment processes and continuous testing by environmental authorities.
New apartment buildings supply cooking gas from central storage tanks located on rooftops or underground, with supplier details displayed in entry lobbies. Solid waste disposal in apartments is managed through garbage chutes on each floor, with waste collected nightly by municipal services and transported to landfills. While there is no official recycling drive, initiatives such as annual school can-collection competitions and recycling points at selected supermarkets encourage environmental responsibility.
