Growing up in an Arab family in a western country can be very confusing.
Having been brought up in a traditional Arab household engulfed by a western society, I was being raised in two separate realities. As these different worlds frequently were at loggerheads, I was always unsure of how a society and its members should function.
This first world I grew accustomed to was that of my holistic Arab household. Sheltered from the social elements outside, I grew up in a close-knit family, which valued cohesion of the group over individualism.
Once old enough to venture outside, I discovered a whole new set of social parameters where self-sufficiency was encouraged, and relying on others was reserved for the most urgent of cases.
Undoubtedly, some of these western traits rubbed off on me and I would walk them back into the collective bubble, which created disturbances in the holistic harmony of our family.
Initially, I was untaught these norms so I could be better aligned with the family ideals. But as time passed, outside influences proved to be too big of a tide and I was asked to save the western norms for the outside western world.
As with most adolescents, my teenage years were shaped more by friends than family, and I began to rebel against what became the foreign world of my family. My desire for individualistic freedom was only satisfied when I left what had become the uncomfortable nest of my home. And leaving for university in the most individualistic country in the world, the United States, was all the freedom I could have wished for.
In my new setting, there was greater harmony between my life at home and the world outside it. I could focus on personal achievements and individualistic freedom without having to worry what consequences my actions would have on the image of my family.
But as the years passed, I could not shake the feeling a big part of myself was missing.
The reality was, I was a part of a greater whole and could not find true freedom and happiness disconnected from it.
Upon my return to the Emirates and family, I took my place in the bigger picture and fitted in quite nicely. That is not to say there have not been struggles in adapting to a collectivist society. Gone are the days when my time was my own. Even with work and school, I must set aside time to spend with the family and be at their beck and call when they need assistance. My conduct no longer represents just myself, but my tribe, my Emirate and the country as a whole, something that I always must be aware of.
My individualistic reflexes still exist and I am glad the Emirates gives me the freedom to act on them.
But I feel much more satisfied being a part of a greater whole, knowing I am supported by my family and country and, in turn, that I can support them and it.
Company%20Profile
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster
Price, base: Dh708,750
Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 374hp (total)
Torque: 570Nm (total)
Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream