Ask Ali: Traditional wedding songs are preferable and the UAE’s relationship with Zanzibar

In this week's Ask Ali we learn what type of wedding songs are preferable and what the UAE's relationship with Zanzibar is.

Dear Ali: How do you feel about the Disney song Arabian Nights being played at a recent Emirati wedding and the video being shared on social media? Would Emiratis/Arabs find this offensive? AA, Abu Dhabi

Dear AA: Our opinion varies about such subjects and topics. When it comes to big events such as weddings, though, there are a lot of important traditional rules and ethics that the bride and groom should follow, apart from religious and official procedures.

It’s not a secret that music is played at Emirati weddings. Some weddings separate men and women – usually the bride compiles her own list of the musical hits to be played by a DJ at her wedding hall, and the groom opts for our traditional ayyalah music and dancing.

Whether they choose a Disney song, western hits, traditional Emirati or other Khaleeji or Arabic songs doesn’t matter.

Usually they would try to please the public by playing what’s popular at the time, and more-traditional wedding songs are always preferable. What really matters is the way the wedding ceremony is conducted.

I believe that the wedding you’re talking about wasn’t traditional. Some elements were there, yet it was thought to be more weird than unique to us, especially after it got such broad publicity on social media – that, for many people, was unacceptable.

Personally, I hope that this example will not become an inspiration for young Emiratis, who despite their ability to travel all over the world and look for new role models outside of their homeland, still should stick to the main values of Emirati culture to preserve it for our descendants.

Dear Ali: I was lucky enough to visit Zanzibar recently, and it was as if I was in the Arabian Gulf. I met a man who said his grandfather had many friends from the UAE who were living and working in Tanzania. What relationship does the UAE have with Zanzibar? GP, Dubai

Dear GP: India, Pakistan, Iran and Zanzibar were some of our most popular destinations for trade during the 19th and 20th centuries. I heard from our grandfathers that they dreamt of going to Zanzibar because everything was available and cheaper there.

Zanzibar had a very good relationship with the Arabian Gulf, including with the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE. Many well-known Emirati families and boat owners sent their ships to Zanzibar for trade.

Arab merchants and members of the boat crew used to stay there for months, sometimes even years. Many mosques were built there. Men would gather for prayer, and when they could, make new friends with locals.

Zanzibar adopted a lot of the Omani dress code and dialects because it was part of the Sultanate’s empire in the past. In 1964, because of political changes and a new regime, Arabs left Zanzibar and returned to their homelands. But they left behind the beautiful culture of Islam and the Arabian Gulf, which you have already witnessed during your visit to this remarkable historical place.

Ali Al Saloom is a cultural adviser and public speaker from the UAE. Follow @AskAli on Twitter, and visit www.ask-ali.com to ask him a question.