Dubai Guide: Culture

Getting used to a completely different culture isn’t easy. This section is specially designed to help you adapt to live in Dubai. It provides useful information about religion, social customs and national holidays in Dubai.

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  Social Customs

  What are local customs like?

  Needless to say, many Arab customs are very different from those in the west, and you should be aware of what you’re expected to do and not to do.

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  Official religion in Dubai

  Some tips about Islam

  Needless to say, Islam is the main religion in Dubai, although the practice of other religions is permitted.

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  National Holidays

  Important dates in the Islamic calendar

  There are quite a few important dates in the Islamic calendar such as the Prophet's Ascension (Al Isr'a Wal Mairaj,) the Prophet's Birthday (Maulid Al-Nabi,) the start of Ramadan and the two 'festival' (eid) holidays. Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha are observed as holidays in all the Gulf states except Saudi Arabia - where only the two Eid holidays are official. Some of the other festivals might be observed by private institutions.

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  Legal advice

  The Islamic system of law

  In general, Gulf states operate as largely patriarchal societies, headed and administered by ruling families, whose aim is to maintain the status quo while moving towards increased democracy (although in many cases the authorities seem to follow the old adage: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’).

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  Marriage & Divorce

  All you need to know about Muslim marriages

  Although Gulf Arabs are entitled to marry as soon as they reach puberty, the average age at which people marry has increased considerably in recent years, to around 25.

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