Normally tourist photography is acceptable and expected with all the beautiful things to photograph in Dubai. In general, photographs of government buildings, military installations, ports and airports should not be taken. Like anywhere, it is polite to ask permission before photographing people. It is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women.

Ramadan is the month of fasting when Muslims refrains from all food, drinks and smoking from dawn to dusk. As a sign of respect, visitors are also requested to refrain from all these items in public places except in the hotels, where customers maybe seated behind screens so as not to cause offence. (Retrieved from Fact Sheet Dubai: Culture and Traditions: http://www.dubaiupdate.co.uk/downloads/factsheets09/Dubai%20Culture%20and%20Traditions.pdf)

Alcohol is served in licensed premises like restaurants and bars. It is also served in a few recreational clubs. Shisha pipes are smoked at most establishments. They are traditional water pipes that use flavored tobaccos like strawberry or apple. Shisha is usually enjoyed while sitting at a café or restaurant.


Now Public. (2009, January 5). Retrieved from http://www.nowpublic.com/health/dubai-shisha-sales-smoke-photo-01


World News. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://wn.com/shisha?orderby=rating

Culture is an important component to a wider Dubai experience, with a fleet of festivals forming the backbone of Dubai's cultural events calendar , from jazz and rock music, to films and literature is celebrated each year.
They have The Universal Museum at Khor Dubai, where three TOP German at institutes will help create the World's Largest consolidated arts museum in Dubai.

The Universal Museum in Khor Dubai. Core.Form. (2008, July 9). Retrieved from Dubai Museum of Middle East Modern Art: http://www.core.form-ula.com/2008/07/09/dubai-museum-of-middle-east-modern-art/

They do also have Dubai International Film Festival to showcase a wide selection of features, shorts and documentaries around the world.(www.dubaifilmfest.com)

Dubai International Film Festival

The Dubai International Jazz Festival is another cultural celebration which showcases exclusive performances by 120 artists.(www.dubaijazzfest.com)

Dubai International Jazz Festival.Core.Form. (2008, July 9). Retrieved from Dubai Museum of Middle East Modern Art: http://www.core.form-ula.com/2008/07/09/dubai-museum-of-middle-east-modern-art/

The International Festival of Literature has been designed as an annual event to bring together people of all nationalities and cultures to celebrate literature and reading in all forms. (www.eaifl.com)

Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature

Tradition

The Arab national dress worn in Dubai is particularly suitable for the high temperature and religious beliefs of the region.
For men, they wear the dishdasha or khandura, a white full-length shirt-dress. It is worn with a white or red checked headdress known as a gutra. In public, women wear the black abaya, a long black robe that covers their normal clothes. They also wear a headscarf.


Bridal Wears. (2009, November 20). Retrieved from Dubai Abaya: http://bridalwears.blogspot.com/2009/11/dubai-abaya-pictures.html


(2010, July 21). Retrieved from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2ZmI4LAH_QZs2g3TeZVMS5-R0P7kvS3mmvpvu7zB9SLxAgyAQWNzLMqs0scjV4JjmgOq_1XWpwUKAsGU2tVNeghYfs_aYNaOSDlu5yBrYnmh6ZDYlPYSAuBkEYDv53lHYPzdlMThcFpf/s1600/dishdashasabudhabi.jpg

Arabic cuisine comprises many types of cooking from countries like Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and more. Throughout the city, vendors sell shawarma, a hot sandwich with lamb or chicken, carved from a rotating spit and served in pita bread with vegetables. A variety of juices from pineapple, banana, mango, or a mixed cocktail can be ordered from fresh juice vendors.



Virtual Tourist. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/United_Arab_Emirates/Dubai/Dubai-1857296/Restaurants-Dubai-R-17.html

One of the traditional sports in Dubai is camel racing, which is considered to be one of the most memorable highlights of any visit to Dubai. Traditionally, races were organised between rulers of each individual emirate. But today, races falls on Thursdays and Sundays between November and April.

Camel Racing. Dubai City Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from Camel Racing Championship: http://www.dubaicity.com/what_to_do_in_dubai/camel-racing-championship.htm

The Arab has maintained a great love for horses. This tradition lives on today in the rapid growth and development of horse racing too.
Horse Racing. Law and Legal Travel. (n.d.). Retrieved from Top five destinations to watch sport and mix with the glitterati: http://www.lawandmore.co.uk/travel/holidays/top-five-destinations-to-watchport-and-mix-with-the-glitterati/

People

Dubai once was a land of Bedouins. The Bedouins in Dubai lived on fishing and pearl searching. The coral and gypsum courtyard houses were once the main accommodations available in Dubai. These houses were mainly built by the Persian traders. Bedouin fishermen and pearl divers in Dubai mainly lived in huts made of palm-fronds. (Maps of the World. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dubai Lonely Planet: http://www.mapsofworld.com/dubai/dubai-lonely-planet.html)

Part of Bedouins, the Bani Yas tribe is well-known for the patronage of, and involvement in literary arts. They are also renowned for their generosity, hospitality and chivalry and gradually these became a part of Dubai's culture.

Unlike nationals of other countries, the indigenous people of the UAE are less likely to be referred to by others or refer to themselves by their nationality. The people of every Arab state could be identified by the name of their state: the Egyptians, Iraqis, Saudis, etc. Up till now, there are no commonly used terms to identify the people of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjag.

All the people of UAE are known as Emirati, the common name for all.

The national language of Dubai is Arabic, which speaks a lot about the country and its people.

Although Arabic is the official language of Dubai under the Constitution of Dubai, English and other languages, such as Hindi, Malay and Tagalog (Philippines) are still widely and commonly used. This is also because most of the labour force is from India and Philippines.

Languages in Dubai have never been an issue and most of the schools teach English along with Arabic. The medium of instructions is usually English, however there are a number of schools that teaches foreign languages such as French and Russian to the students.

Islam is the official religion of Dubai, with the vast majority being Sunni Muslims.
You will also find different religions such as Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs.

Mode of Education

The government has put in extra efforts in building schools and colleges of higher education and also improve the standards of teaching and education. This has helped Dubai to be both a destination for higher degrees among foreign students and also students from Dubai are entering top universities all over the world.

The education system of Dubai is as classified: Primary, Secondary, College.
There are several public and private schools, all emphasis on English as a second language besides their official language, Arabic.