The UAE Culture And Heritage

The UAE is blessed with a rich heritage that

encompasses architecture, sports, occupations,
traditions, arts, and crafts, food, places of historical
and archaeological importance, lifestyle, and values
imbibed in Islam. Emirati culture is a blend
of Arabian, Islamic, and Persian cultures, with
influences from East Africa and Indian Subcontinent
cultures. Islam has had a prominent influence on
local architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and lifestyle.

Majlis
The term Majlis has been adopted by modern governments to refer to both elected and
unelected advisory and decision-making bodies, including legislatures and councils of ministers.

Majlis run by elders, chieftains, and sheiks are called barza nb, and the Majlis host is said to
be barez (prominent) when he is presiding at his Majlis. During such majlis, the host hears
complaints, demands, and other issues of the
people and seeks to resolve them. The atmosphere
is one of constructive dialogue, defined by honesty,
openness, freedom, and ingenuity. Guesthouse or
Majlis owners are responsible for all hospitality
expenses, although in some cases tribe members
will contribute as well.

Majlis is Arabic for ‘council’ or ‘sitting place’, with

this space playing the role of a top-level meeting
place. In Abu Dhabi, the traditional majlis -
historically a tented meeting place where warm
Arabian hospitality was offered ahead of negotiations - has been the setting for business
meetings since the Silk Route was first established thousands of years ago. Today, majlises are
just as important as they’ve always been, with many Emiratis having majlises in their homes.
Being a place of welcome, there is a certain etiquette to be maintained in a majlis. Emirati
greetings are derived from the religious and cultural makeup of the Arab world. Long, genuinely
warm welcomes with handshakes, embrace and generous praise can be expected for male-to-
male and female-to-female greetings. Physical
interaction between men and women is more
conservative.
With that in mind, male visitors should not take
the initiative to shake hands with an Emirati
woman. She will make it clear if she expects a
handshake. Likewise, some Arab men may not
wish to shake hands with women. Of course, a
smile is universally accepted.

TYPES OF MAJALIS

In addition to the barza, traditionally there were two other types of majlis in the United Arab Emirates:
the Majlis of the Merchants and the Majlis of Justice.

The Majlis of the Merchants was open to all, but especially pearl divers, as they provided a way
of raising funds for their journeys and ensuring that their families would receive basic foodstuffs
such as rice, flour, and coffee. This type was busy during the pearling season, especially near
the end when pearl prices were negotiated.
During the diving season, the Majlis was used as a platform to share stories about incidents at
sea, as well as a space to address disputes among divers or between divers and traders.
Storytelling, poetry recitals, and other forms of entertainment also took place at these sessions.
The Majlis is of Justice specialized in dispensing Shari'a judgments and often dealt with cases
passed up from barza and merchants’ majlis. Justice Majlis was recognized not only for settling
disputes but also for providing education on religious topics to attendees. The sessions
traditionally opened from early morning until noon prayer, and then between the afternoon and
sunset prayers.

In a tradition that spans centuries, most homes in the Gulf have a Majlis, where the head of the
family hosts guests. It's a place for guests to chat about the daily issues of life, and religious
topics and reminisces about the past over Arabic tea and coffee.

THE MAJLIS AND NATURE

Majalis were held either in a bait al-she’r (house of hair) or open-air settings, around fires, with
coffee served to attendees. Majalis in cities and towns along the coast were often constructed of
plaster and mud, arbor and bower, or simple canvas to provide shade. Majalis in mountain
areas were held in special guesthouses or other gathering places.
 DID YOU KNOW?
For pearl divers and sailors at sea, a boat could serve as a location for a Majlis, where those on board
would discuss topics such as ships, fishing, diving, and hardships at sea.