If you ask Khawla Al Blooshi what animal she would compare a camel to, her answer may come as a surprise. A big, cuddly cat, is her response.
“They love to be hugged, kissed, talked to and treated with respect,” she told The National.
But despite being born and raised in the UAE, the Emirati, 28, had never ridden a camel until four months ago.
It came about by chance after her friend saw a post online about a camel trek taking place across the desert in December last year.
The male competitors were very sceptical at first but by the end of the race, they were shouting ‘number one, number one’ at me in Arabic. It was a great moment
Khawla Al Blooshi,
camel rider
Now, only months after making her debut on board one of the UAE’s most adored animals, Ms Al Blooshi competes alongside men in the heritage sport of camel racing.
“I was not looking to get into camel racing, it just found me,” she said.
“My friend and I are really outdoorsy. We do a lot of hiking and diving and she saw a post online about the camel trek so I registered for it. It was so random and out of the blue. Now I ride camels almost every day and feel guilty when I don't.
“I’m Emirati too, so I thought it would be a great way to get to know more about my heritage and how camels played an important role in Bedouin life.”
She works five days a week, from 9am to 6pm. But Ms Al Blooshi said that with a “great boss that gives lots of flexibility”, she makes it down to the Al Marmoom Race Track most days by 4pm to embark on hours of training with the camels.
Each day she treks about 8km in the desert and helps to feed, saddle up and exercise the beasts.
Last weekend, she also became one of the first Emirati women to compete side-by-side with men in a camel race in Dubai.
“Since I started I’ve become obsessed. I go to bed thinking about camels and wake up thinking about them,” she said.
“It’s been such a natural bonding experience for me.
“I competed in my first race last weekend and I smiled all the way to the finishing line.
“The male competitors were very sceptical to see two women riders at first but by the end of the race, they were shouting ‘number one, number one’ at me in Arabic. It was a great moment to experience.”
Riding on the four-kilometre track as part of the preliminary race for the annual UAE National Day Camel Marathon, Ms Al Blooshi competed in the 18-29 age category, and travelled at speeds of up to 45kph.
She said her active lifestyle helped her adjust to staying on top of the camel as it requires a “lot of balance and strength”.
The second preliminary race is scheduled for December 3, coinciding with the country's 50th National Day, while the main marathon, organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, will be held on January 14.
“I’m also taking part in the 14-day camel trek across the desert, from Liwa to Expo 2020 Dubai, on December 9 and I can’t wait,” she said.
“We will be trekking for up to eight hours a day but the one thing I have learnt is that you have to trust and go with your camel.
“If they have a bad day and are moody, they might go a little off course but you just have to bear with it.
“It will be an experience to remember for a lifetime to come.”
All women camel racing team in UAE - in pictures
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
The years Ramadan fell in May
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
