RAS AL KHAIMAH // It began as an antidote to mall culture. Mohamed al Shehhi admits he was once a mall addict. Now he teaches tourists, residents and young Emiratis there is more to modern UAE culture than skyscrapers by hosting tours of "the real UAE".
The trips are nothing like the typical desert safaris touted to tourists. There is no Lebanese food and no Egyptian belly dance music. Instead, the young men take visitors to their favourite haunts.
"You see a gap between Emiratis and tourists," said Mr al Shehhi, who works as a policeman when he's not attending college. "They have their own hotels, their own facilities and different trips. It's nothing about the UAE. We want to give a picture of our society: how we have fun, how we spend our free time."
Options include desert barbecues, hikes to mountain farms, kayaking on the corniche or fishing off a pier.
The group call themselves Igrab, a word from UAE dialect that translates roughly as 'hospitality' but can mean 'be with me, share my food, be my friend'.
Igrab introduces the everyday culture that plays out in the homes and backyards of Emiratis across the country.
"The foundation of tourism in our country is moving in the wrong way," said Mr al Shehhi. "They consider building and hotels, not the culture, not the society of the UAE."
The men behind Igrab say they hope there will be more Emirati participation in the sector following the launch of RAK's new tourism authority and recent government support for entrepreneurs.
"We are hopeful now because the country is considering tourism," said Jassem al Khomere, 21, an Igrab guide and a pilot for Emirates Airline. "If you have the idea, if you have the good plan, you will have the sponsorship and support from the country."
For now, the tour is staffed by volunteers.
"We don't want to be a company, we will loose our truth," said Mr al Shehhi. "The hospitality is in our tradition; it's not a new thing."
He joked that their offer of homemade bread and date syrup served on a one-hour tour does not go far enough.
"If our grandfathers saw us they would punish us," said Mr al Shehhi. "If they have a guest they must have a whole goat."
His mother, the cook, is fully supportive. In fact, Mr al Shehhi said women are welcome in his home to learn Emirati cooking or tour his mother's farm, famous for its pomegranates. Future plans include visits to women's centre so tourists can buy handmade crafts as a remedy to Mr al Shehhi's distaste for the overabundance of camel paraphernalia.
Mr al Shehhi and his friend see a future in tourism.
"We actually want to take control of it," said Mohammed Bu Showairb, 21, a member of Igrab. "When our friend went on a desert safari and he saw how they do the falcons and the camels, he was jealous of it. He said, 'I can do that myself'."
"Tourists take the idea that everyone here is Bedouin, but we are many cultures. We are farmers, we are fishermen."
They hope to involve others to spread the idea of igrab.
"It must not be an exclusive programme for our group, it must be a culture," said Mr al Shehhi. "I am taking as a challenge that every tourist who comes here now he must know the meaning of igrab at the airport. It's a challenge for us that this word will stay for the next generations that come."
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
How Sputnik V works
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
