What Abu Dhabi means to those who call it home
At 6 am, before the heat has a chance to settle, the Corniche belongs to the early risers. It is an ordinary day in Abu Dhabi, and it says a lot about the city. ‘I was born here. It's where my story starts,’ said Mohamed Munawwar, Software Developer & Researcher and an Abu Dhabi-born resident. The newly joined crews and the OGs who build their life here are finding themselves woven into the same…
Abu Dhabi, a city that has become a home to people from over a hundred countries, holds different meanings for each resident. For Mohamed Munawwar, a Software Developer & Researcher born in Abu Dhabi, the city is where his story begins. Newcomers like Advait Bal, a Solutions Consultant who has lived in the city for two years, find peace and safety in Abu Dhabi, which gradually feels like home through familiar routines and interactions.
Resident Elizaveta Vartanian, who moved to Abu Dhabi from Armenia in 2023 to study, describes the city as a place of endless possibilities. Its diversity, including cultural celebrations, international cuisine, and multilingual conversations, makes it welcoming and enriching. Munawwar recalls the kindness of a baqala owner who gave him free juices, a gesture that he cherishes and remembers fondly.
Vartanian, on the other hand, sees Abu Dhabi as a generous older relative, always busy building and welcoming newcomers without being too busy to offer support and camaraderie.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
