My Abu Dhabi: Hamdan Al Qubaisi on majboos, majlis and the heaven of life
Abu Dhabi: Past The Emirates Palace, on the quiet side of the Corniche, a car is parked. Inside, a man holds a karak, or maybe an americano from Cartel. The news is on low. Through the windshield sit the Etihad Towers and Qasr Al Watan, glowing in the late light. Hamdan Al Qubaisi will tell you roughly where this is, then laugh and insist it is still a secret. It is where his mind goes quiet, and…
Abu Dhabi's Emirati resident, Hamdan Al Qubaisi, shares his perspective on life in the city. For him, Abu Dhabi is a place of "safe, power, and life." He believes that the city's gift is its stillness, where it "has already arrived" and there is "nothing to prove." Safety is paramount in his mind; if a child wakes up at 3 a.m. and goes out, they will return safely.
Hamdan's daily routine revolves around family, work, and exercise, with time set aside for loved ones and the Emirati meal at Al Mrzab. His favorite dish, majboos, is a spiced rice dish with meat, yogurt, and tangy sauce. He avoids desserts, except for luqaimat at Al Mrzab. Coffee is taken seriously in Abu Dhabi, with Hamdan having a rotation of favorites depending on the time of day.
The majlis, or formal meeting place, is central to Emirati culture, serving as a place to learn, seek support, and strengthen social bonds.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
