The Jordanian man moved to Dubai in 2007 and loves every minute of it since!
Tell us a little bit of yourself
I always introduce myself as the lawyer with a conscience; people laugh as the perception is that lawyers have no soul or a conscience. They might forget my name, but they will always remember the lawyer with a conscience.
I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, the idea of serving justice and protecting the innocent played into my values. I’m still chasing the dream and ambition of obtaining justice in some situations.
How and when did you move here, and what inspired the move
I moved to Dubai in 2007, right before the global financial crash. I can still remember my first night here, looking out of the window and breathing a sigh of relief, I felt as though I made it home. I can’t explain it, especially since I had never lived in the UAE or visited prior. I just knew. I moved here to get the exposure and experience of work levels of the West while still being close to home which is Jordan.
How has living in Dubai shaped your sense of belonging and community?
From the day I landed until this day, I feel as though this is the place I belong. The Emiratis’ generosity and the expats’ welcoming of one of their own was enchanting. I believe that since the vast majority of the population of the UAE are expats there is a very welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is away from home and everyone wants to fit in and enjoy their lives. I haven’t lived in a country where you can chat with a person in the elevator and end up grabbing a coffee with them that day.
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Can you tell us about a particular person in Dubai who has had a significant impact on your life and why?
For every segment of my living in the UAE, a person or a group of people have left an imprint on my life. First and foremost, the constant in my life has been my beautiful wife who stood by me from the date I decided to move to the UAE to her moving here with me leaving her own family back home to be with me. She is my rock, my constant and companion for life.
I’ve had great mentors throughout my life and the ones I worked under and with during this period have taught me everything I know now. One of my first bosses in Dubai taught me that in a service industry, you should never say “no” you can say this doesn’t work but here is what will. No is not an option. Advice that rings true until today.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has taught us all tolerance and achieving an impossible vision can become a reality. Dubai is a testament to believing in a dream and if you work hard enough, you will achieve it.
What is your favourite thing about the emirate and why?
It’s pretty amazing to think that my kids can just head out and play, without me worrying all the time. That’s something you don’t find anywhere. It’s not completely worry-free, but it’s definitely something special. How many places can you say are safe enough to leave your phone on a table to save your seat and come back to find it just where you left it?
Living in the UAE is like going on a world tour without ever leaving home. Everywhere you turn, there’s a mix of different people, traditions and cultures. I always wanted my kids to see this kind of variety growing up—meeting people from all over, with all sorts of views and ways of living.
A myth about Dubai that you would like to bust
Not sure where to begin with this, there are so many floating around which seem absurd no matter where you live. Some of the ones I’ve heard over the years: everyone drives a Ferrari, all women must be veiled, UAE Nationals are above the law and I’ve even been asked if I own a camel. Until you have visited, there is a lot of noise about Dubai which is untrue and even downright ignorant. This is a place of culture, entrepreneurship and beauty.
Could you share a memorable moment when you felt the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Dubai community in your own life?
Every day is a reminder of the warmth of the Dubai community with the majority of the population expats, yet we all feel as though this is home. Dubai is a city that embraces diversity, where individual passions and pursuits are all accepted, offering everyone a chance to live their desired lifestyle. One of the defining moments for me was when an officer at airport immigration said “welcome home” to me when I was returning to Dubai many years ago.
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