Abu Dhabi // Like many Emiratis of his generation, Marwan al Naqi, 29, was educated overseas, but returned to the UAE to forge a career, in his case in Dubai's expanding property sector. After experiencing both western and Emirati cultures, Mr Naqi, now the general manager of the Jumeirah Village development in Dubai, believes that living overseas actually reinforced his national pride and awareness of the UAE's cultural and heritage.
While admitting that the potential exists for UAE culture to be diluted by the range of influences present in the Emirates, he said the inflow of non-Emiratis should not be considered a negative one. "We are a small percentage of the population so there is a need for people to come here and play a role in the development of the country," he said. "This does create a challenge [to Emirati national identity], but it is not without its solutions. One of our main objectives is to encourage foreign investment in the country. We are not in a box. We are in an open country and [should] encourage people to come here so we can learn from them and work with them side by side to develop this country."
However, he stressed that the UAE should better communicate its heritage and culture to foreign residents. Educated at universities in Los Angeles and Michigan, where he took an MBA in investment and finance, Mr Naqi said being Emirati was to believe in sensitive leadership, Arab culture, Islamic faith and UAE history. He said there was no danger of him losing his national identity and the feeling of what it meant to be Emirati while studying abroad. "It depends on the individual, but I don't think studying abroad is a reason for you to lose your identity," he said. "You can gain access to other cultures through your computer or television so there is no need to spend time overseas for this to happen.
"When I was in the US, I felt proud to be Emirati and my feeling of what it means to be Emirati actually strengthened." @Email:rditcham@thenational.ae
