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Culture of Dubai is predominantly Islamic, with religion
touching all aspects of everyday life in the country.
Day-to-day activities, festivals, cuisine, dresses,
weddings, and other customs are dictated very much by
religion. Despite waves of modernity touching the shores
of Dubai, the emirate remains close to its cultural
heritage. Locals still continue to wear their traditional
costume even today, which indeed is a symbol of national
pride and identity. Arab culture and folklore find expression
in Music and
Dance of Dubai. Traditional sports such as Falconry,
camel racing and dhow sailing are still popular in Dubai.
However, Dubai is a tolerant and relaxed society, with
local population known for their traditional hospitality
and friendliness for foreigners. Unlike other Islamic
nations, Dubai also has a liberal attitude towards women.
Women are respected and are free to join modern schools,
or work in offices in the company of men. What's more,
visitors to Dubai will find world-class hotels, beach
resorts, nightclubs and bars, serving alcohol and women.
All this goes on to prove that culture of Dubai is quite
liberal and modern too.
According to 2006 estimates, Dubai's population was
around 1.3 millions, consisting of the native Emiri
(20%), South Asian (50%), Arab and Iranian (23%) and
remaining being the Westerners and East Asians. Dubai
society is known for its tolerance for different lifestyles
and foreigners are free to practice their own religion
and other cultural activities. Different communities
have their own schools and social and cultural institutions
in Dubai. Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Diwali
are celebrated by the religious minorities with great
fanfare in Dubai. Arabic is the official language of
Dubai, however English is widely spoken and understood
all over the emirate.
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