Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
as well as a marriage fund (although the budgets don't often meet the expenses of elabor-
ate Emirati weddings).
The upper and middle classes of Emirati society generally have expansive villas in
which men and women still live apart, and male family members entertain guests in the
majlis
(meeting room). In all classes of Emirati society, extended families living together
is the norm, with the woman moving in with the husband's family after marriage, al-
though some young couples are now choosing to buy their own apartments for a little
more privacy than the traditional arrangement allows.
Women & Marriage
Gender roles are changing, with more and more Emirati women wanting to establish ca-
reers before marriage. Women make up 75% of the student body at universities and 30%
of the workforce. Successful Emirati women serving as role models include Foreign Trade
Minister, Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, who was ranked among the world's 100 most
powerful women by Forbes.
Living with such a large proportion of expats, and an increasing number of Western cul-
tural influences, has led to both growing conservatism and liberalisation. This is espe-
cially noticeable among young Emirati women: while some dress in Western fashion (usu-
ally those with foreign mothers), most 'cover up' with an
abeyya
(a full-length black robe)
and
shayla
(headscarf) out of choice when in the presence of men who are not relatives.
What is worn underneath is a personal choice; look closely and you'll often catch
glimpses of silk stockings in high-heels poking out from beneath those modest frocks.
Also note the great variety in robes and scarfs; some are made by Gucci or Prada and are
embroidered or festooned with Swarovski crystals.
One aspect of Emirati society that's difficult for most Western visitors to understand is
the fact that most marriages are still arranged, often to a cousin or other blood relative.
However, it's now common for the couple-to-be to get to know each other a bit before ex-
changing wedding vows. Both can refuse to marry if they feel the person is not right for
them. A woman may also divorce her husband, although this rarely happens.
The UAE Marriage Fund, set up by the federal government in 1994 to facilitate mar-
riages between UAE nationals, provides grants to pay for the exorbitant costs of the wed-
ding and dowry, and promotes mass weddings to enable nationals to save for a down pay-
ment on a house.
