In honour of the 44th UAE National Day, we speak to 44 inspiring women, living in the region, about what they love about the region.
It’s hard to believe it was a mere 44 years ago that our country’s founding fathers hoisted the UAE flag for the first time. With Spirit of the Union as the official theme for the UAE’s 44th National Day celebrations on December 2, Emirates Woman gets into the commemorative spirit by asking 44 inspiring residents what they love most about living in the UAE. Prepare to feel all warm and fuzzy inside… also, please feel free to share your thoughts.
Scroll through to read the 44 UAE residents tales.
Happy National Day!
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
MAYASSA AL TAJIR, 35, Business Owner, Emirati: "I can sum up the UAE's greatness in five words: Diversity, Loyalty, Quality and Security. The fifth word – my favourite – would be Charity."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
JELENA BIN DRAI, 36, Entrepreneur, Emirati (born Serbian): "There is no place on earth that can offer such quality of lifestyle."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
KATHERINE RASO, 40, Co-Founder of Global Communications Agency, Canadian: "It is a place that's constantly evolving which keeps it exciting for all who live and visit."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
KRITIKA RAWAT, 35, Radio and Media Personality and CEO of K Kompany, Indian: "The people of this country still go our of their way to help you when your car suddenly breaks down, cab drivers still come home to drop off a phone, police officials still calm you down if you've been involved in a accident - it's in these gestures that i feel lies the true spirit of a country and its people."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
NERRY TOLDEO, 30s, Pr Consultant, Fliipino: "The UAE's imagination and vision for the future knows no bounds. Living here you become a part of history in the making."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
VERA FUTORJANSKI, 35, MD and Co-Founder of Vaniday Middle East, German: "Against all clichés, I actually think UAE is a very encouraging and supportive country for female entreprenuers."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
CELIA-JANE UKWENYA, 29, Fashion Stylist and Founder of Fashion Swap Night Market, British: "Life here always feels optimistic. The sun is always shining and life generally seems to be brighter."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
CAMILLA MAX LARSEN, 40, Owner Tales of Rebels and Owner of the concept store CLOW in Los Angeles, Danish: "I can't wait to get back her from vacations – I've never had that feeling before. It's my happy place."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
CLARITA ATALLAH, 48, Managing Director of Karen Millen, Lebanese: "I've been lucky enough to witness the demographical growth, to experience the transformation of the retail landscape."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
EMAN SYED FATHY, 28, Social Media Manager, Egyptian: "In the UAE I found security, success, independence and a community that takes pride in their women."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
MAIA BASSAL, 27, Group Manager, Public Relations, Lebanese: "I'm very happy to be part of the achievement and many significant milestones of Dubai like winning the Expo 2020."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
REBECCA TRESTON, 38, Founder and Manager of Rebecca Treston at Euromed, British: "When I arrived in the UAE aesthetics industry was in its infancy but this has grown rapidly to become an established, respected global entity."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
RANIA KANA'AN, 28, Co-Founder and Operations Manager at Charicycles and Ananasa.com, Palestinian Canadian: "Ambition runs through this country's veins from the top down and that is both inspiring and contagious."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
INGE VAN WEERT, 33, Director of Operations, Dutch: "You can experience true five-star service across the country."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
CHLOE WALSH, 27, Cosmetic Make Up Artist, British: "From a personal level most of my closest friends have moved over here, which is amazing."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
SAMANTHA FRANCIS, 27, Fashion Stylist/Set Designer/Blogger, Dutch: "Everyone shares their stories and their culture which makes Dubai expats a funny metropolitan mix."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
TALEEN KHANOYAN, 28, Singer/Songwriter and Fitness Entrepreneur, American: "I fell this constant excitement and energy in the air."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
SHAMIRA MITHA, 50, Founder & Managing Director of Verve Marketing & Communication: "The UAE offers you ease in settling in, it is an extremely tolerant country and you have the best of all worlds."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
HAYA AKHDAR, 31, Fashion PR for Louis Vuitton Middle East, Saudi Arabian: "The UAE is becoming a destination for fashion, art and culture."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
RASHMI KUMARI AHMAD, 49, Creative Director and Owner of Couture Label C'est Moi, Indian: "The UAE has a wonderful ability to take all into its fold and embrace it whole heartedly."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
TAMARA KING, 26, Media/Account Manager, Indian: "It caters to people from all around the world making it such a versatile place."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
ZENNY HIRJI, 72, Charity Chairperson, British: "The health facilities provided make UAE one of the best places to live. The education facilities have seen an explosion of schools and universities, making good education easier for everyone."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
AISHWARYA AJIT GORDON, 29, TV Presenter, Beauty Vlogger, Founder of Lockstress Hair Extensions, Indian: "If you're bored in the UAE then you're doing it wrong and you need to get out more."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
EDWINA VIEL, 37, Mummy Blogger for Seashellsonthepalm.com, Singaporean: "I don't think there's anywhere in the world where you can sit down at dinner with each person at the table holding a different passport."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
LOUISE HARRISSON, 40s, Owner/Designer at LouiseHarrisonCouture.com, British: "I especially love the contrast between new and old Dubai where you can find such hidden treasures as well as the constant changing of the city."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
EMANUELLE SAWKO, 46, Co-Owner of Comptoir 102 and Founder of Wild & The Moon, French: "Dubai is a city that you miss when you are away for too long. It is blissful to live in a city that has the sea at its core."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
CYNTHIA PENNIKIAN, 27, Creative Designer and Founder at CeeCode Handbags & Accessories, Lebanese: "Through my lens, I believe UAE will be next fashion city following in the footsteps of Paris, London and New York."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
HARSHITA SINGH, 35, Art Designer, Indian: "The UAE has a fast-growing economy, there's a new skyline every few years and now we have the Dubai Expo 2010 to look forward to."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
SARAH DAMICHI, 42, Hair and Makeup Artist, Australian: "I really like the diversity of cultures and living in a central hub bursting with entertainment, fashion and hospitatlity."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
JOSEPHINE WALLSTROMER, 26, Club Manager at BARE and Professional Freelance Photographer, Swedish: "Every day I catch myself saying, 'It's Dubai!' meaning there's no knowing what the next extravagant project will be. All i know is that there are no limits here."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
SHEREEN MITWALLI BUTLER, 33, International Presenter, Australian: "It's clear the world is fascinated by the Emirates. I work with many celebrities who love coming here because they fall in love with its hospitable culture and innovation."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
ABBY WILKS, 34, Managing Partner at House of Comms, British: "These days everyone who is here knows how lucky they are and appreciate all it has to offer."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
TASH HATHERALL, 38, Managing Director of TishTash Public Relations and TishTash Talent, British: "I love the optimism and 'can do' attitude of the majority of people here."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
MINA LICCIONE, in her 30s, Performing Artist, Co-Founder Dubomedy and Clowns Who Care Project, Adjunt Arts Professor, American: "I love the UAE because at any given time you can be in a room with not one single person from the same country."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
NATASHA ROCKSTROM, 32, Founder Injoy Giving, Indian: "The city has shaped people's lives in ways they never knew when they first stepped into this city and that to me is a marker of how influential this city can be."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
SUMATI MENDA, 33, Founder & Editor, Veggiebuzz.com, Indian: "People from over 170 different countries can call the UAE home. People are friendly, it is relatively safe, and the infrastructure is first class."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
LUCY BRUCE, 37, Founder - Home Grown Nursey, Founder - Harmony House, Director - Insignia World Wide, British: "With its changing landscape and progressive vision, the UAE is set to achieve unimaginable success for its people."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
YANA KALWANI, 35, Co-Founder Pantry Cafe, Indian: "Its a great country to raise children in because of the safe environment. There are so many opportunities for my kids to learn and develop themselves here."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
LEILA NAJJAR, 27, Senior PR and Events Manager, Dutch/Palestinanian: "The UAE feels like home. It has a perfect mix of the Arab and Western culture."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
LESLIE MALLART, 36, Founder of dubaiconfidential.com, French: "Its the outcome of a man turning his vision into reality and that is truly inspiring. The more you dig through the city the more gems you find."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
JESSICA HUDSON, 35, Founder, Hudsons Travel, the Leading Luxury Travel Specialist, British: "I grew up in the UAE and my nickname was Jessica Jumeirah. I spent my toddler yers on the beach at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club where my parents are still members today and where we now bring my daughters to play, 35 years later!"
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
KIM JAMES, 43, HR Director, IBM, RPO, MENA. South African: "To me the UAE is like an excitable teenager with all the brilliance, new ideas and fearless ambition. It has vibrancy and glamour, a fantastic outdoor lifestyle and, in my opinion, great weather."
UAE 44 years feature, National Day
AMY SESSIONS, 32, Personal Shopper & Style Consultant, British: "The warmth and hospitality embedded in Middle Eastern culture make it easy to feel at home - its a joy to be part of such a mutually supportive and proactive network of women."
UAE 44 Faeture
CATHY LEIBMAN, 50, Co-Founder of Ethical Muse, Australian: "The UAE has the uncanny ability to make things happen. The future for the UAE can be expressed in line with the theme for Dubai's World Expo in 2020. It will be a catalyst to connect minds and share challenges under the themes of mobility,sustainability and opportunity"
