Part I: Natural History Group's "UAE Families" Presentation (by Christine)

Unfortunately, we arrived late. On the screen was projected a list of common Emirati surnames and the speaker was telling the origins, relative size and strength of each tribe. Next was another family tree showing Zayed’s nine wives and their progeny. The font was too small to see my own student’s name (Hamdan, a grandson). The British national and long-time advisor to the royal family could not say Zayed’s name without adding “God Bless him” or “God rest his soul” with a softened inflection to his voice. I had often heard such deference from others when talking about this larger-than-life man.

The speaker shared with us his eyewitness story of how the country grew from a group of medieval, nomadic tribes that lived in baristas (date palm-frond huts) to its current federalized, twenty-first century grandeur within a single generation. He recalled the sense of family Zayed fostered in the young nation and how he treated everyone, national or foreigner, as a member of that family. He shared his perspective on the place of women in society: not that they are repressed by the abaya and shayla (black robe and head scarf) or their relative isolation but stressed instead that they are highly valued, listened to, and protected. He explained the stabilizing effects of nepotism but pointed out that meritocracy was on the rise.

I left wanting more.