Dubai Language | Arabic Language Dubai | Schools, Teachers, Classes, Tutors and in Dubai

INTRODUCTION TO

ABOUT DUBAI

Welcome to Dubai, city of merchants, cultural crossroads, second largest of the seven United Arab Emirates and probably the most well known. A country where the dust of the desert is clearing to reveal the potential for one of the most significant international cities of the 21st century. Under the guidance of Shaikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Maktoum, it has forged a reputation as one of the most important and vibrant cities in the Middle East.

Dubai began life as a small fishing village. It expanded in the early 19th century when large numbers of the Bani Yas tribe settled there. The population had to depend on the sea for their livelihood. It provided fish, pearls and trade. The hamlet soon turned into a small trading port based around the mouth of the Creek.

Dubai's strategic location is also a key element in its success. The heart of one of the worlds richest regions, Dubai is located midway between the Far East and Europe. Over 120 shipping lines and 100 airlines connect to more than 140 global destinations. The award winning Emirates airlines is ever expanding into new destinations.

Dubai is also one of the world's most vibrant tourist destinations. Attracted to its year round sunshine and luxurious lifestyle, the number of tourists visiting Dubai is expected to reach 15 million by the year 2010. With its lavish reputation, Dubai continues to impress with world-class events such as the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai World Cub, and Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament

Multi-national companies increasingly see Dubai as the obvious choice for establishing operations in the Region. Proximity to the Indian subcontinent not only gives access to a market of over 1 billion people but the ability to benefit from an increasingly talented and competitive labor supply.

The pursuit of excellence has resulted in producing one of the best infrastructure facilities in the world. State of the art telecommunications, reliable power, modern schools and healthcare are all attracting an increasingly multi-cultural and highly trained workforce. The Government projects a doubling of population by the year 2010. Luxurious living, the finest cuisine and world class shopping are now the hallmarks of Dubai enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

COMPLETE GUIDE OF

DUBAI

Language and Religion

The official language is Arabic, but English, Hindi, Persian and Urdu are also widely spoken, along with Malayalam, Tamil, Punjabi, and Tagalog. Islam is the official religion of all of the emirates. A vast majority of the locals are Sunnis. There are foreign minority Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians as well. Dubai is the only emirate that has Hindu temples and a Sikh gurdwara.

Non-Muslims in the country are free to practice their religion but may not proselytise publicly or distribute religious literature. The government follows a policy of tolerance towards non-Muslims and Polytheists, and interferes very little in the religious activities of non-Muslims.

Apart from donated land for the construction of churches and other religious facilities, including cemeteries, non-Muslim groups are not supported financially or subsidised by the government. However, they are permitted to raise money from among their congregants and to receive financial support from abroad. Christian churches are permitted to openly advertise certain church functions, such as memorial services, in the press.

Demographic and Geographical Information

Dubai is unusual in that its population comprises mainly expatriates, with UAE nationals (Emiratis) constituting the minority. The vast majority of these expatriates come from South Asia and the South East Asia. The UAE government does not allow any form of naturalization or permanent residence to expatriates.

The climate in Dubai is dry, subtropical and rain is very rare.The hottest months are between June and September when the temperature often tops 45°C during the day and the humidity is very high. The temperature of the ocean can reach 37°C at the hottest part of the summer. Hotel pools are cooled in the summer and heated in the winter. October, November and April offer more reasonable temperatures of between 30°C and 35°C, but the best time to visit Dubai is between the months of December and March, when the temperature is pleasurable and the warm waters and sybaritic spas are sure to have the greatest effect, when the average temperature is 24°C.

Entertainment

Dubai is an international city and it offers a lively after-dark scene. Hotel bars, pubs and lounges are plentiful and most serve food and offer entertainment. Dubai increasingly attracts popular singers and entertainers from both the West and East.

Dubai also has some of the best shopping in the world. From clothes to jewelry to electronics and traditional items, Dubai has great products. The key is to bargain.Visitors especially enjoy fresh fish from the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean — lobster, cigale, crab, hammour, shrimp, tuna, kingfish, pomfret and red snapper. A traditional Middle Eastern snack is the shawarma — grilled shavings of lamb or chicken, mixed with salad and rolled inside a pocket of Arabic bread — that is sold in many small outlets around the city. There are also numerous juice bars where visitors can buy a fresh juice cocktail or a mango milkshake.