ABU DHABI // Marie Claire's three children sometimes come home from their multiculturalprivate school in Abu Dhabi complaining that Emirati children do not interact with them
The Dutch-British mother is trying to find an
explanation. "Why are Emirati children not mixing?" she asks.
"What kind of programmes or integration can we introduce to help schools
bridge the gap?"
Shamsa Al Muhairi, an Emirati mother of four with two
daughters who go to school with expatriates, says: "My children do not
like mixing with non-Emirati children. I do not know the reason."
The self-segregation that begins in school extends into
stereotypes and misunderstandings in adulthood. One Emirati woman finds that
expatriates believe all UAE nationals have oil wells behind their homes, and
some Emiratis believe expatriates are immodest people who want to invade their
country.
Habib Khondker, professor of humanities and social
sciences at Zayed University, says "the construction of other" – a
belief that you know about another culture when in fact you do not – comes into
play, creating a barrier to interaction between people from different
upbringings.
"Stereotypes will not disappear in a day but they
can be broken easily," Dr Khondker says. "Ignorance is the mother of
stereotypes. One needs to prove oneself to overcome these misconceptions."
Fawzya Al Muhairi, Shamsa's sister, sends her children to
private school specifically so they can interact with expatriate children, and
because "private schools have better discipline than the public".
"As a mother, I taught my children right from
wrong," she says. "I mix with westerners and my children like mixing
with English children because I believe they are more transparent and
disciplined compared with some Arab children who are raised by their maids."
At times, it seems as if there is a cultural impasse.
Some expatriates have the misconception that Emiratis are self-important and
prefer mixing only with their compatriots.
Zainab Al Junaibi, a Zayed University student, says some
families do not like their daughters mixing with non-Emiratis because "our
norms and tradition differ from theirs".
She, however, has no problem interacting with people from
different cultures, and has many non-Emirati friends.
The workplace also makes it tricky for people to
interact. Many Emiratis work in the public sector where expatriates are a
minority, Dr Khondker says. Therefore, interaction must take place in public.
"If I was one of the policymakers, I would say to
organise more public events such as festivals."
He said Emiratis should get more involved in the private
sector so expatriates can get a better sense of the diversity of Emiratis.
Faizan Qureshi, from Pakistan, has lived in the UAE for
two years and has never had an Emirati friend. "There is this feeling that
Emiratis only befriend Emiratis or other Arabs. I would love to have Emirati
friends," he says.
Mr Qureshi believes social media can bridge the gap, as
he has got to know a few Emiratis via Twitter. He echoed the idea of organising
public events.
"There is a need for more cultural events being
conducted by the Government and expatriates being a part of it."
Arab media can be a helpful channel to create more
cultural understanding. But unfortunately, says Saeed Al Mehairi, an Emirati
who works at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority: "Arab media does not
display our culture.
"People think it is a 40-year-old culture because of
the union, but in reality it goes back 500 years. Many Emiratis do not know
about their own culture and heritage. We should be representatives of our
country so that there is mutual understanding between us and expatriates."
He likes mixing with expatriates and even practises
English with an American colleague.
"It is not true Emiratis do not befriend
non-Emiratis. I have friends from all nationalities, and we visit each other
every now and then."
He suggested one of the ways to improve relations between
the nationalities is through cultural festivals at which people can learn more
about locals.
AbulRahman Arif, an Emirati who obtained his master's
degree in London, had no trouble with different nationalities during his stay
abroad.
The National Newspaper
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