According to the Federal National Council (FNC), 57% of marriages held in Dubai in recent years were mixed.

For those of us living in Dubai, this comes as quite a revelation. Sure, we all know many people in mixed marriages, and here it is seen as commonplace. However, to see that 57% of the marriages are mixed is surprising. Not surprising that there are a lot of mixed marriages, because Dubai is a true melting pot of nearly 200 nationalities, but the sheer number itself, and of course, that so many foreigners choose to get married here in Dubai is testament to the Emirate. The tolerance of society here for various cultures and religions is commendable and a source of great pride amongst the inhabitants. Racism or hurtful discrimination of any type is taken seriously by the government with punishment metered out accordingly (generally fines and/or residency reviews). What this leaves us with is, for the most part, a harmonious place for mixed race couples and their children.

That does not mean that it is all plain sailing. One Federal National Council member was noted saying that this issue is “not a rejection for marriages between Emirati men and expat women”, but is an issue to ponder, further noting that, “If Emirati men marry foreign women, then who will Emirati women marry?”

According to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) mixed marriages are one of the main reasons to be blamed for different kinds of abuses – physical, financial, verbal, and emotional – faced by women in the UAE, although no figures were offered. Fortunately, there are organizations such as the DFWAC to help those in need.

What also is not given is the reasons for the perceived blame solely on the mixed marriages for this abuse. Is it cultural? The one repeated piece of advice my father in law gave me when I was to marry his only daughter was a simple two word cautionary of “Cultural Differences”. Short, simple, and very easy to remember. I have chanted this to myself at times when things get a bit out of my comfort zone (back when it was a narrow zone) and tried to remember that my partner was probably doing the same thing with the same frequency due to some of my cultural idiosyncrasies. Perhaps it is my simple version of the serenity prayer.

 

 

 

 

Question: What places have you been to where you feel completely accepted as a mixed race person? Join the discussion here in our forums.

Please feel free to post your thoughts and experiences on the matter in the forums here, or should you have a larger submission, send it to reachout@1mixedfamily.com for possible inclusion in our reader articles. All participation is welcome.