The present study explores the cultural implications associated with the intensive presence of foreign labour in the modern and young UAE, with special focus on the potential impact on the cultural particularities forming national identity. To this end, the study examines the evolution and reality of multicultural society in the country, in conjunction with multiculturalism ideologies, policies and modes pursued elsewhere. The issue is addressed from contextual, conceptual, empirical and comparative perspectives; thus the study concludes that the de facto multiculturalism experienced in the UAE is rather a complex unique model that should be understood on its own merits. Inter-related topics including globalization, civilisational dialogue and cultural engagement, as being inseparable from the subject matter, are thoroughly discussed, with relevance to UAE’s context. The key recommendation calls for the need for earnest steps to introduce limits to the scope of tolerance prescribed, implicitly or explicitly, under public policy in order to maintain the continuity of national identity, and consequently contributes to the sustainability of the prevalent co-existence amongst various cultural communities and groups in the country, in line with the open diversified labour-intensive economy. While the present thesis is expected to help initiate discussion on cultural diversity in the UAE, a number of fields have been identified for possible further research on the state of affairs, in particular, potential threats surrounding the local religious and traditional values.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:499295 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Al-Shamsi, Samia Abdulla Al Sheikh Mubarak |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=25205 |
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