{
  "id": 5746572,
  "title": "‘My heart is Emirati’: Why Abu Dhabi feels like home for this Egyptian expat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/my-heart-is-emirati-why-abu-dhabi-feels-like-home-for-this-egyptian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T07:50:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/people/my-heart-is-emirati-why-abu-dhabi-feels-like-home-1.500664001"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Eenas El Sheakh, an Egyptian expat, describes Abu Dhabi as a city that feels like home to her. Her love for the place first blossomed during her visit to Abu Dhabi in her youth. She then returned to the capital in 2005, fulfilling a childhood dream. Over the course of more than two decades, El Sheakh has built a life in Abu Dhabi, connecting with people from various backgrounds and cultures while working in different fields.\n\nHer story mirrors the growth and diversity of Abu Dhabi itself. As a fluent German speaker, she has helped young Emiratis learn the language and work across various sectors. In addition, El Sheakh has contributed to international events like the Special Olympics World Games and the COP28 conference, where she volunteered and served in the UAE's protocol team.\n\nThe UAE's diversity, El Sheakh finds, is its greatest strength. Over 200 nationalities make up the country, providing a melting pot where different cultures, languages, and traditions coexist daily. This diversity has shaped her career and perspective on life, teaching her the importance of openness, respect, and understanding.\n\nEl Sheakh has also found fulfillment in contributing to Abu Dhabi's community. She has worked in real estate, helping newcomers settle into the country. Moreover, she organizes meet-ups for German-speaking women in Abu Dhabi, introducing them to local culture and helping them navigate their new lives. She also volunteers with a group of German-speaking women, providing support and companionship through cultural events and family outings.\n\nLiving in Abu Dhabi for 21 years, El Sheakh has discovered that the city offers numerous ways to enjoy life without breaking the bank. Activities such as visiting beaches, parks, and cultural spaces, attending exhibitions, and participating in community events are either free or affordably priced. She encourages residents to embrace simple yet memorable experiences like picnics in the park or walks along the Corniche.\n\nEl Sheakh also highlights the importance of education for children in Abu Dhabi. The city's multicultural environment has exposed children to diverse nationalities and backgrounds from a young age, teaching them the value of respect and understanding. Furthermore, the city offers a range of affordable learning opportunities for young people, including coding, technology, and artificial intelligence programs at 42 Abu Dhabi.\n\nQasr Al Hosn, a historic building that tells the story of Abu Dhabi's journey, holds a special place in El Sheakh's heart. She particularly enjoys the Qasr Al Hosn Festival, where she can explore the site, savor Emirati food, watch traditional performances, and immerse herself in Emirati heritage.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Sometimes, you know a place feels special before you ever call it home. For Eenas El Sheakh, that feeling came during her first visit to Abu Dhabi. Her father, a university professor, had started working in the UAE in 1998. When El Sheakh visited the capital, she quickly fell in love with the city, its people, and the feeling she experienced there. “I remember saying to myself, ‘One day, I…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}