Rana Al Mutawa has a PhD from Oxford in Middle Eastern Studies and is an Assistant Professor of Social Research and Public Policy at New York University Abu Dhabi, with a primary focus on the construction of national identity. This exhibition in Dubai which runs until July 4 at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center, features images from her book of the same name, which is subtitled “Making Home in Dubai.”
The exhibition is billed as an “urban ethnography that reveals how middle-class citizens and long-time residents of Dubai interact within the city’s so-called superficial spaces to create meaningful social lives.” In her book, Al Mutawa delves into how individuals in Dubai utilise contemporary spaces to cultivate social connections. Her research demonstrates how residents adjust to the city’s development initiatives to fulfil their evolving social requirements.
The book confronts stereotypes about Dubai’s progress and presents a worldwide outlook on urban environments in the present era. Al Mutawa argues that Dubai’s often-spectacular buildings, though regularly criticised as superficial and soulless, in fact “serve residents’ evolving social needs, transforming these spaces into personally important cultural sites,” perhaps disproving “stereotypes that portray Dubai’s developments as alienating and inherently disempowering.”
In a press release, Al-Mutawa says that the work is an attempt to show that “superficial” places are “important cultural sites: ones where social and gender norms are observed and negotiated.” She adds: “I hope (my work) can generate debate about how to go about understanding these places without repeating the stereotype about inauthentic Gulf cities.”
Dubai
Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), serves as the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, which is the most heavily populated amongst the nation’s seven emirates. Originally established as a fishing village in the 1800s, Dubai has rapidly evolved into a prominent hub for both regional and international trade, particularly emphasising tourism and luxury sectors.
Notably, the city boasts the second-highest number of five-star hotels globally and is home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, soaring to a height of 828 meters (2,717 feet). Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, Dubai serves as a major global transport hub for both passengers and cargo. The city’s development has been significantly boosted by oil revenue and it has long been an important centre for regional and international trade.
Dubai’s economy is heavily reliant on trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services, with oil production contributing less than 1 percent to the emirate’s GDP in 2018. As of 2022, The city has a population of around 3.60 million. More than 90% of the population are foreigners.
Architecture
In the early days, Dubai’s architecture was influenced by traditional Arab and Islamic designs, using coral, mud, palm wood, and gypsum. The mid-20th century saw a blend of traditional Arab and modern Western styles. The discovery of oil in the 1960s led to a construction boom, transforming the cityscape with modern high-rises and luxurious hotels. In the 21st century, Dubai became known for ambitious, futuristic projects like the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Islands. Today, Dubai’s architecture reflects its multicultural population and its global hub status for business, tourism, and innovation.
Royal Family
The ruling royal family of the Emirate of Dubai is known as the House of Maktoum. It is one of the six ruling families of the United Arab Emirates. The family belongs to the Bani Yas clan, which is also associated with the Al Nahyan dynasty of Abu Dhabi. The Bani Yas clan is a part of the Al Bu Falasah section of the Bani Yas, a tribal federation that historically held significant influence in the region that now constitutes the United Arab Emirates.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, and his family are considered one of the wealthiest in the Middle East, if not the world. According to The Richest, he has an estimated net worth of US$18 billion.
Allies and Alliances
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a member of several international organisations including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations (and is a UN Security Council member for 2022-23), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the World Trade Organization.
Additionally, the UAE has established diplomatic relations with over 60 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Russia, India, Nepal, the United States, and most Western European countries.
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