Sheikh Hamdan: The soul of Dubai is found in its people
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, posted a message on his official X account, saying: "The soul of Dubai is found in its people."
People in Dubai have been sharing their feelings with Emirates 24|7 on What Makes Dubai Special for them.
‘What began as an opportunity became a home’
For German national Sascha Winter, who has lived in the Dubai for over two decades, the values of hospitality, dignity, faith, loyalty, and family are not just things observed from the outside; they are values that shape daily life in this region.
"The resilience of its people, the leadership, the foresight in anticipating potential crises, and the implementation of preventive measures, are truly extraordinary,” he said. Read his full story here.
‘People felt safe here’: Why this family of four chose to make Dubai their new home
After years of considering the move, Dr Angela Kaushal and her family, for example, finally landed in Dubai this month — and she says the first three weeks have only reinforced why they came. Read more.
‘Dubai gave me a life bigger than I imagined’: Scottish resident on 23 years in the UAE
For Scottish resident Kelly Lundberg, who has lived in Dubai for 23 years, while the sunshine was an obvious attraction, it was Dubai’s mindset that convinced her to stay.
“You could have a business idea on Monday and be trading by Friday,” she said. “That pace is genuinely rare. Time moves quickly here and people get things done.” Read more about how she has made the UAE her home
Why one virologist traded London for a lifetime in Dubai
For Indian national Dr Nishi Singh, moving from London to Dubai in the late 1980s was a leap of faith. Thirty-five years later, she has no regrets — only praise for the city she now calls home.
The defining feature of life in the UAE for her is its comfort and security, something that has fundamentally reshaped her instincts over three decades. “Each time I travel out of Dubai, there is a conscious mental adjustment — an awareness that I need to be more vigilant,” she notes. She deeply values “the quiet privilege of having lived in a place where one feels secure and respected as a woman in everyday life.”
How one Dubai resident helped 277 people build new lives
For Indian resident Doulat Ram Narwani, the connection with the UAE runs deep, having arrived in the country in 1977. Outside his balcony, two flags fly: the flag of the UAE and the flag of India.
In the 49 years that he has lived in Dubai, he didn't just build a life for himself, but has also helped others do the same.
“I came to Dubai and then helped people from my family come here as well. Over the years, I have helped 277 people – siblings, relatives and even members of the wider community – who wanted a better life,” he said.
“I salute the UAE. We’ve spent so many years here and never faced any kind of problem. If I’m being honest, I don’t think people know me as well in India as they do in the UAE. Even children in our area know me,” he added.
'For me, Dubai is the best. I want to stay here until I grow old.'
For other residents, like Filipina resident Joy Jocelyn, moving to the UAE helped turn things around for her and her family.
“Even when I had nothing, people helped me,” she said. She remembers an employer who, after an interview, handed her money and told her to keep it, after he found out she had taken a long walk to get there. Another moment that stayed with her was when her landlord allowed her to delay rent payments. “She said, ‘Pay little by little when you can.’ I will never forget that.” Read more.