Despite the fact that the Emirate of Dubai has always been distinguished by its liberalism and high level of religious tolerance, we should not forget that the United Arab Emirates is, above all, a Muslim country.
Therefore, everyone living here, or every foreigner arriving here, must necessarily have at least the necessary minimum of knowledge about the Islamic religion, traditions and customs of the people with whom they will have to work, live side by side, conduct business or simply relax.
The term “Islam” literally translated from Arabic means “obedience to the will of God.” Today Islam is the second world religion in terms of the number of believers. Muslims believe in an omnipotent, united, eternal, omniscient and omnipresent God – Allah. They also believe that everything in the world, to the smallest detail, from the day of creation of all things, is controlled by the mind and will of Allah.
Muslims are also deeply honored by the so-called “Messengers of Allah”, among whom are the prophets Adam, Ibrahim, Noah, Moussa, Issa – these characters are known to Christians as Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others. However, Muslims consider the Prophet Mohammed, who lived at the intersection of the sixth and seventh centuries of our era, to be the most revered, the last in the series of prophets, the “seal of Allah”. In Islamic countries, his name cannot be pronounced in vain. If it is, however, pronounced, the stress must be placed on the second syllable. After the name taken to glorify him.
The Prophet Mohammed is officially considered the founder of Islam. His teachings are recorded in the Quran and Sunnah – the holy books of Muslims. The Qur’an also defines the basic rules of conduct and customs of a Muslim from birth to death, Sharia. Therefore, the legislation of most Arab countries, including the UAE, is completely built on the norms and principles that descended upon the Prophet Muhammad at the will of Almighty Allah. “Sharia” is translated from Arabic as “path, which you need to go” or “path to the water.” These prescriptions covered all aspects of human life: material, domestic and spiritual.
Every Muslim is obliged to pray five times a day. A single time of prayers is not established. Daily it is reported on radio and television, in newspapers. A detailed prayer schedule for the whole year in advance can only be obtained from the Ministry of Information and Culture. From the minarets of mosques there is a call for universal prayer, reinforced by a loudspeaker. If it happened that at the hour of prayer a Muslim is far from a mosque or a special room, the ceremony should be performed anywhere. It is only necessary to observe certain formalities, for example, it is necessary to turn in the direction of Mecca.
It is considered very uncultured to be too curious to look at praying Muslims, to walk or stand in front of or next to them, to take them off at the time of namaz on a photo or video camera, to enter a religious building in overly revealing clothes.
One should not comment on the feasibility of a five-time prayer, strict fast, women’s attire and Arab women in principle. Even if something seems ridiculous or strange to you, do not forget that in the Arab countries these age-old traditions are unshakable and unshakable.
For the Arabs, a handshake is considered a sign of special disposition and friendship, and therefore it is a little longer than that of the Americans and Europeans. Do not forget to give a hand to the Arab goodbye. With especially close and dear to you people should greet with two hands. Don’t even try to give a hand to a Muslim woman first. If she finds such a gesture necessary and permissible, she will do it herself.
In the tradition of the Arabs meeting guests tea, soft drinks or coffee. In eastern countries, they greatly value the ancient traditions of hospitality, are proud of them. In this regard, your refusal from the proposed treats, most likely, will be perceived as disrespect for the owners or even an insult.
Offer drinks and food, as well as other items or you can only take them with your right hand.
Teas and coffee are always served on the table already sweet, poured into small glasses without a handle, always without milk. Arabian herbal tea is incomparable on a hot summer day.
Before entering the house, be sure to take off your shoes. Any Arab will consider an insult to his address the soles of the interlocutor facing in front of him.
Foreign men choose trousers, a shirt and a tie as office casual wear. Jackets are considered appropriate only in official or especially solemn occasions. Skirts and blouses with long sleeves will be the most appropriate for women in the office. Due to the fact that in Dubai almost all the year round there is hot weather, there are no excessively strict restrictions in women’s clothing. But still, in order not to hurt the feelings of the local population, avoid unnecessarily defiant and open outfits.
In the pool and on the beach you can stay in bathing suits. However, the ladies should not give up wearing the top of the swimsuit.
