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Discuss this article (18 Comments)Poll shows 69% believe expats must integrate more
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 13 May 2009
EXPAT INTEGRATION: Learning Arabic and attending lectures on Arab culture should be made mandatory, say 31% of responders. (Getty Images)
More than two thirds of responders to an online poll think more should be done to integrate expatriates into local Arab culture.
The survey by Arabian Business survey found that 31 percent thought it should be made mandatory for expat adults and children to learn the Arabic language, and to attend lectures on the region’s culture.
A further 38 percent thought such moves should be encouraged, but not forced, according to the poll of more than 400 website users.
However, almost a quarter, 22 percent, warned that moves to impose Arab culture and language on the Gulf’s overseas workforce would simply drive them away.
The minority, nine percent, thought moves to increases Arab awareness should be limited to schools, with expatriate children enrolled in cultural courses, but expatriate adults left to choose.
The findings come on the back of comments made by the head of a UAE government scheme to promote national identity.
Al Mansoori, director general of Watani, has said he believes more needs to be done to integrate expatriates into the UAE's local culture and customs.
In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business last week he pointed out that expats who had Arabic language skills could double their salaries.
“Sometimes you have to hire someone to do something in English and sometimes you have to hire someone to do something in Arabic. But if the person has both languages, they can double their salary. In many cases I have seen that,” he said.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Where? Where? Where?
Posted by Fares Almehrezi, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Friday 15 May 2009 at 15:50 UAE time
Why does the UAE seem more Asian or European than Arabian?
Why have the Asian or European languages pervaded all sectors in the UAE?
Why do the authorities seem so miserably impotent in the implementation of Arabic?
The expatriates do not see it necessarily to integrate with the national language, its culture and traditions simply because it does not seem to exist. Arabic? Where is it? Local traditions and culture? Where are they?
Posted by Fares Almehrezi, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Friday 15 May 2009 at 15:50 UAE time
Why does the UAE seem more Asian or European than Arabian?
Why have the Asian or European languages pervaded all sectors in the UAE?
Why do the authorities seem so miserably impotent in the implementation of Arabic?
The expatriates do not see it necessarily to integrate with the national language, its culture and traditions simply because it does not seem to exist. Arabic? Where is it? Local traditions and culture? Where are they?
Obliteration of national identity
Posted by Saif Humaid al Ketbi, Dubai, UAE on Friday 15 May 2009 at 15:36 UAE time
Language is the most important factor of integration in any country. To succeed in France, or Germany, or Spain, or China, you ought to be fluent in French, or German, or Spanish, or Chinese. It is a different and humiliating matter if some nations discreetly still consider their colonial power's language a national language but to claim that language has nothing to do with integration is just preposterous. The United Arab Emirates must ardently push for the implementation of Arabic in as many sectors as possible. If Arabic is so prevalent, ubiquitous and dominant in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, why can't the UAE follow suit especially since the very core of this nation’s identity is under serious threat from the non Arab expats whose language, tradition and culture are so alien to this nation and region??? Well, may be it is too late, but is it really??? The process of OBLITERATING the identity of this nation has long began, what are the authorities doing about it???
Posted by Saif Humaid al Ketbi, Dubai, UAE on Friday 15 May 2009 at 15:36 UAE time
Language is the most important factor of integration in any country. To succeed in France, or Germany, or Spain, or China, you ought to be fluent in French, or German, or Spanish, or Chinese. It is a different and humiliating matter if some nations discreetly still consider their colonial power's language a national language but to claim that language has nothing to do with integration is just preposterous. The United Arab Emirates must ardently push for the implementation of Arabic in as many sectors as possible. If Arabic is so prevalent, ubiquitous and dominant in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, why can't the UAE follow suit especially since the very core of this nation’s identity is under serious threat from the non Arab expats whose language, tradition and culture are so alien to this nation and region??? Well, may be it is too late, but is it really??? The process of OBLITERATING the identity of this nation has long began, what are the authorities doing about it???
People living with STONE AGE mentality
Posted by Muhammed Azeem, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Thursday 14 May 2009 at 22:33 UAE time
Hello Samer
I have been living in Abu Dhabi for the last 12 years.I have come across different mentalities from the so called 'multicultural' nationalities.
I have also travelled to many countries and I swear , in general westerners are the best behaved.
I have met a lot of Emitarti people during this period, and the educated people are fantastic and more adaptable with expats than westerners.
People like Samer are just spitting Anti western venom for the sake of it..all these guys want a job in MNCs and perks..such people are not genuine.
Posted by Muhammed Azeem, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Thursday 14 May 2009 at 22:33 UAE time
Hello Samer
I have been living in Abu Dhabi for the last 12 years.I have come across different mentalities from the so called 'multicultural' nationalities.
I have also travelled to many countries and I swear , in general westerners are the best behaved.
I have met a lot of Emitarti people during this period, and the educated people are fantastic and more adaptable with expats than westerners.
People like Samer are just spitting Anti western venom for the sake of it..all these guys want a job in MNCs and perks..such people are not genuine.
Integration
Posted by alias, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 14 May 2009 at 16:04 UAE time
Under the religious and Government laws in the UAE, true integration of all the nations represented in this country, is not possible, but understanding and consideration is achievable.
The definition of a country is ‘a land in which people live’ or the humanity. And we all live here, for however long and for whatever reason, with all our different mindsets and cultural up-bringing.
In this country the state of affairs requires empathy, and a philosophy of the society to agree and respect all the people who live here.
To respect them we must first value them, who ever they are and whatever values they live and work by.
As they say “united we stand divided we fall”.
Posted by alias, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 14 May 2009 at 16:04 UAE time
Under the religious and Government laws in the UAE, true integration of all the nations represented in this country, is not possible, but understanding and consideration is achievable.
The definition of a country is ‘a land in which people live’ or the humanity. And we all live here, for however long and for whatever reason, with all our different mindsets and cultural up-bringing.
In this country the state of affairs requires empathy, and a philosophy of the society to agree and respect all the people who live here.
To respect them we must first value them, who ever they are and whatever values they live and work by.
As they say “united we stand divided we fall”.
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