National dress is important, but doesn’t define who we are

Young Emiratis should not feel that respect is a birthright, or something that can be managed based on whether they decided to put on a kandura or abaya, says Khalid Al Ameri

The National dress is a source of pride for Emiratis. Silvia Razgova / The National

Earlier this year, the FNC heard calls for a strategy to be put in place to protect our national dress, possibly through the passage of a law or the implementation of certain codes.

As The National has reported, many young people believe the kandura and abaya are still very much in fashion and a source of pride.

I love it when I wear our national dress, although I have certain reservations about its place in certain work environments, and nothing makes me prouder than being able to represent my country day in and day out.

However, I question whether what I am wearing should be at the forefront of my national identity – as opposed to who I am, what I stand for and the things I am doing to give back to my country.

In recent interviews with The National, several Emiratis discussed reasons why they were proud to be wearing national attire, and although it is heartwarming to read about those feelings of pride, I feel that it may be somewhat misplaced.

The first comment that got me thinking was: “When people see you in the kandura, they have more respect for you.” When it comes to a country as diverse as the UAE, managing respect across nationalities, ethnicities and religions can be a tough task. It simply boils down to being open and kind to each other regardless of personal beliefs; this is what creates a deeply rooted culture of camaraderie within our country that will be passed down from generation to generation.

However, if we were to base our respect for each other on something as materialistic as what we are wearing, then the feelings of togetherness and bonding between different people is merely an act.

Young Emiratis should not feel that respect is a birthright, or something that can be managed based on whether they decided to put on a kandura or abaya today. Respect must be earned through actions, attitudes and interactions with other people.

This is important because if there is a culture where someone who dresses as an Emirati gets more respect, does that mean that someone who dresses in the attire of another country should get less respect?

A second sentiment among the people who were interviewed was that they felt that because they were Emiratis, they had to wear it. Although I believe national dress is important to maintaining culture and representing our nation, it is not something that has to be worn for those things to be carried out. Emiratis have done amazing things on all fronts – social, economic and entrepreneurial – which they would have done regardless of what they were wearing. This is because their source of patriotism and energy to make our nation better is so deeply rooted within who they are that what they wear doesn’t even matter.

A final thought relates to national dress being required for Emiratis to stand out because they are a minority within their own country. For the most part I agree with that reason, however I would again argue that how we act, how we carry ourselves and how we engage with the various communities across the UAE can make us stand out so much more.

A remarkable example of this is ThinkUp GCC, a group of Emiratis who start, and take part in, a variety of initiatives from representing UAE talent and managing Ramadan food drives to raising awareness for non-profit organisations around the country.

Nobody thinks about what they are wearing when they engage in acts that give back to the citizens and residents of the UAE; they are just proud to take time out of their day to help others and expect nothing in return. That is what makes them stand out far more than any item of clothing could.

The UAE continues to grow every day, and as it becomes more a part of the global community I would love to see us hold on to our culture.

However, that culture should be one that is built upon the characteristics that our forefathers brought to the world, such as our beautiful poetry, our heartwarming hospitality and our unquestionable loyalty to each other and to the betterment of our country.

That is how respect is earned, grown and passed down through generations, regardless of what you are wearing.

Khalid Al Ameri is an Emirati social commentator