Rooted in tradition and driven by ambition: Mira Bin Thani speaks on Emirati womanhood

Dubai - For Mira Bin Thani, being an Emirati woman is not about choosing between tradition and ambition. Instead, she sees these aspects of her identity as interconnected and part of the same whole. Bin Thani, who is a mother, entrepreneur, writer, endurance horse rider, and holds a master's degree in Diplomacy and International Affairs, credits her ancestors for instilling in her a sense of possibility and potential.

"We come from a long line of remarkable women," she says, "the Emirati woman today is not a new woman; she's the same woman who stood on this land generations ago," she adds. Bin Thani’s understanding of strength is deeply rooted in her family. Growing up surrounded by entrepreneurs, her mother and father taught her to take calculated risks and to balance creativity with ambition.

Her grandfather, Thani Al Muhairi, also played a significant role in shaping her worldview. Born and raised in Dubai, he became a businessman at a young age and spent hours with Bin Thani, sharing stories of perseverance and the inspiration that drives people to build and expand businesses. Bin Thani’s gratitude extends even further back, acknowledging the strength, resilience, and inspiration imparted by her mother, grandmother, and the women who came before them.

She emphasizes the importance of respecting femininity in their culture while maintaining their unique identities. Emirati Women’s Day on August 28, and her birthday, have become a reminder for Bin Thani that celebrating Emirati women should be an ongoing endeavor. She believes that beauty, even in times of scarcity, is more than just decoration or fragrance; it is an expression of identity, tradition, and a sense of home.

In her culture, guests are not only welcomed but also leave with a piece of the home – the scent carried by bukhoor. For Bin Thani, this lingering scent symbolizes the way Emirati women uphold their culture, preserving the past while embracing the future. She firmly believes that as an Emirati woman, she never had to choose between her roots and her ambition.

Instead, she has been taught by the women before her to carry both forward. Bin Thani’s own life exemplifies this philosophy. From co-founding a popular food spot to earning a master's degree, publishing a book, co-authoring papers with think tanks, riding endurance horses, and playing the piano, she has built a multifaceted career.

Her journey into publishing her first book began unexpectedly while working a day job. During her free time, she wrote poetry, seeking an outlet for her creativity that was lacking in her professional life. A colleague discovered her work and encouraged her to share it. The two agreed that Bin Thani would send her poems weekly. After nearly a year, her friend surprised her with a complete manuscript of her own writing.

This unexpected development highlighted the support Bin Thani received from other women, whom she credits for her success. She emphasizes that publishing her book would not have been possible without the belief and encouragement of others. Writing also allowed Bin Thani to confront aspects of herself she had previously kept hidden.

Growing up, she described herself as a "wildcard," more inclined towards climbing rocks and jumping off cliffs than sitting quietly and writing poetry. However, the process of writing poetry became a transformative journey of self-discovery. Reflecting on her experiences, Bin Thani shares that writing gave her the confidence to show more of herself and confront her fears head-on.

She concludes by emphasizing that Emirati Women’s Day and her birthday should not be limited to a single day but should be celebrated every single day.