Ties that bind: Emirati-German love story spans two generations and four decades
When Khalifa Al Abri travelled to Germany as a young Emirati student nearly four decades ago, he did not expect that signing up for language lessons would change the course of his life. In early 1987, his teacher, Karin, took him through private sessions in the German language. “The chemistry between us was very strong,” he said. He was 26; she was 27. Now in their 60s, the couple have built a…
Khalifa Al Abri travelled to Germany in 1987 as a young Emirati student and was struck by his teacher Karin's kindness. They began private language lessons and quickly found themselves attracted to each other. Over the years, the couple built a family with two sons, a daughter, and grandchildren who embody their Emirati-German heritage.
Their story is similar to that of their son Saif and his German wife Anna, who married after meeting at a friend's party in Germany. The Al Abri family has drawn attention as President Sheikh Mohamed visits Germany on his first state visit, highlighting a relationship between the UAE and Germany that spans more than five decades.
For the Al Abri family, their ties are built through generations of family connections between the two nations. Despite living in different countries, the Al Abris and Karin have never faced problems with customs, traditions, or religious occasions. Instead, they celebrate both Ramadan and Eid alongside Easter and Christmas, making room for both cultures in their lives.
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