More than 50,000 Somalis call the UAE home, with some having arrived before the union of the Emirates in 1972. This includes my parents, who were among those who moved to the UAE early on to seek job opportunities and raise their children.
In the early 1990s, my father served in the military in Abu Dhabi, where I was born in a hospital, Al Corniche. My mother was among the first Somali businesswomen in the UAE to begin buying goods and selling them back home, which has now become a common practice.
For a long time, the Somali community in the UAE made its mark through businesses and cultural celebrations, and we have tended to settle near each other in areas such as Dubai’s Gold Souq or Abu Dhabi’s Musaffah.
As my mother will attest, Somalis like the Gold Souq because of the easy access to Somali shops and restaurants. We have lived in the Deira district of Dubai for more than 20 years and I have witnessed its evolution over that time.
Here are a few other things to know about the Somali community in the UAE.
We have an entrepreneurial spirit
According to my father, the UAE was brimming with potential in the early 1990s and has opened up many doors for members of the Somali community, including my parents. This is particularly true in Dubai, where there are more than 100 Somali businesses, including gold and textile shops, hotels and money exchange facilities.
Cargo shipment operations between Dubai and Somalia are also strong. From excess baggage to air cargo and sea freight, Somalis contribute to Dubai's busy commercial corridors, with the geographical proximity of the two countries playing a vital role in boosting trade.
As well as facilitating trade between countries, these businesses have also become a social hub, where women and men stop to chat with friends about recent events. So be prepared to wait a while if you are visiting these establishments, or pull up a chair and involve yourself in a lengthy debate.
We are committed to preserving our culture
Culture has a robust social element in our community. Somali men are a common sight in coffee shops on popular streets in the UAE, where they watch sport and chat with passers-by. My father is no different, often frequenting Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai for an evening's discussion with his friends, where topics range from their children to the job market and inevitable disagreements over politics.
There is a strong sense of family in Somali culture and that is no different in the UAE. We place a lot of importance on helping each other and protecting and sustaining our traditions, often relying on each other for financial assistance or advice.
Somali culture and traditions are celebrated with parties and Somali dances on July 1 to mark the country’s independence, as Somalia became a republic in the 1960s. In addition to independence celebrations, I recall visiting Somali festivals several times with my family, where I was introduced to the country’s rich musical heritage and poetry. Because of our storytelling traditions, my country is often called The Nation of Poets.
Somalia is a Muslim country, so many of its social norms are influenced by Islamic traditions. For example, children regularly attend Quranic recitations. When I was young, I was sent to my cousin's house to learn and memorise the Quran. In addition to having great discussions about Islamic practices, we also celebrated when one of us was successful in memorising the Quran. These memories are still a topic of discussion.
These classes are now conducted in community mosques, where Somali mothers gather and guide their children to keep our traditions and values alive.
Our Arabic accents sound Emirati
Having been born in the UAE, many of us have adopted the Khaleeji dialect via our schooling and local friends. While I am guilty of preferring to speak English, my Arabic sounds very Emirati.
In particular, when I speak to family and friends from different parts of the Middle East, my tendency to favour Emirati terms, including the word asoolaf, which means speaking, can cause confusion.
Somalia joined the Arab League in 1974, but my parents tell me stories of a time when Somalia used to write in Arabic script, before adopting Latin characters. There are certain letters still pronounced in the Arabic way, however. For example, the letter C is pronounced as the Arabic letter "Ain", and X is pronounced as "Hhaa".
Delicious Somali food is easy to come by
Somali restaurants in the UAE make an important contribution to keeping Somali food and traditions alive. Whether for special occasions such as Eid, birthdays and family reunions, we often gather around a hot Somali meal, complemented by a side of banana with our rice.
Especially in the evenings, my mother would often visit Dubai's Gold Souq to pick up fresh samosas, traditional pastries and Somali shah, a tea that is similar to karak, to help us create memories that are long-lasting and delicious.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
