Because the golden solar forged its last gentle over Abu Dhabi’s horizon on Might 15, 2025, the scene exterior the grand palace glowed with one thing far deeper than ceremony – it shimmered with heritage.
On that day, US President Donald Trump arrived within the United Arab Emirates. Earlier than phrases might be exchanged or palms shaken, a narrative was advised. Not with speeches or symbols, however with rhythm, satisfaction and poetry.
Ready in excellent formation had been the carriers of that story – younger Emirati women wearing good conventional apparel and Emirati males holding aloft slender canes, able to carry out Al Ayyala, the soul of the Emirates in movement.
To an unknowing eye, it may need seemed like a dance. However to the Emiratis, it was historical past unfolding.
A Nation Greets in Poetry
Al Ayyala isn’t a dance that seeks applause – it’s a declaration of legacy. Born from the traditions of the Bedouin warriors, it mimics the battlefield with sticks in hand and chants of loyalty on their lips. The women, standing like sentinels of grace, swing their hair backward and forward – a gesture not of insurrection however of celebration.
Of their actions is the echo of generations who handed down songs not simply with sound however by soul.
To everybody confused by the “hair swinging” ritual in Trump’s UAE go to:
That wasn’t random. That wasn’t a TikTok dance.
That was historical. Intentional. Royal.Right here’s what it actually meant:
The ritual is thought in Gulf Arab tradition particularly within the UAE as a part of a ceremonial… pic.twitter.com/RT1SYyqG8g
— 589bull (@589bull10000) Might 16, 2025
It’s this efficiency that greeted Trump – daring, genuine and unfiltered. And because the world tuned in, confusion shortly mingled with curiosity. Social media was abuzz with sizzling takes, however amid the noise, Emiratis discovered their voice to talk.
‘Our Heritage Doesn’t Want Permission to Exist’
Among the many first to rise to its defence was Sara Al Hosani, a journalist whose calm however unwavering phrases sliced by the chatter. Posting a video on-line, she mentioned with satisfaction, “Our heritage doesn’t want permission to exist. It stands tall, identical to the daughters who carry it ahead.”
To critics who misjudged the younger women’ participation as “oppressive”, she requested sharply, “Oppression? What oppression? These are daughters of the desert, not damsels in misery.”
Probably the most highly effective and exquisite moments throughout President Donald Trump’s go to to the UAE was the standard welcome by stunning younger Emirati women that triggered quite a lot of haters.
Our heritage doesn’t want permission to exist. It stands tall, identical to the daughters who… pic.twitter.com/L5J2ACwpId
— Sara Alhosani | سارة الحوسني (@SaraAlhosani_10) Might 17, 2025
She reminded the world that younger women weren’t obligated by faith to put on hijab but, and extra importantly, that they had been proud to embody their tradition, not victims of it.
‘This Is My Id’
Echoing her sentiment, Emirati public commentator Hassan Sajwani wrote on X: “That is my id. That is my custom. That is my cultural hospitality. That is my nation, the United Arab Emirates. And I’m very pleased with all of it.”
That is my id
That is my custom
That is my cultural hospitality
That is my nation, the United Arab Emirates
And I’m very pleased with all of it.
Thanks to our little angels for welcoming President Donald J. Trump within the UAE pic.twitter.com/Js6c6lcHO4
— حسن سجواني Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) Might 17, 2025
Sajwani’s satisfaction, like that of many others, was not simply within the efficiency; it was in how seamlessly it stitched collectively previous and current, politics and poetry and honour and humility.
However maybe essentially the most touching second got here not within the grandeur, however within the gentleness.
Sarah Fahmi, a content material creator from Dubai, highlighted a easy but highly effective picture – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan introducing a toddler to a visiting head of state.
“The place else on this planet do presidents bend right down to greet a toddler in the course of a state go to?” she requested.
She went on to level out how. In one other second, the younger women might be seen dashing in direction of UAE Overseas Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, asking for photos – smiles vast and eyes gleaming.
“That isn’t efficiency. That’s belonging,” Fahmi mentioned.
Two Pictures, One Legacy
As photographs flooded timelines, one collage stood out. On the left: Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE, standing tall as Al Ayyala dancers moved in concord round him. On the proper: the Might 15 efficiency, with smiling women subsequent to Sheikh Abdullah.
Time has handed, however the dance has not modified.
As a result of some issues don’t must be reinvented; they simply must be remembered.
In a world dashing to modernise, few issues survive untouched. However the Al Ayyala isn’t considered one of them. It continues to thrive not as a result of it resists time, however as a result of it embraces id.
It’s a dwelling heartbeat of a nation that is aware of who it’s and welcomes the world not with fanfare – however with rhythm, grace and sticks that talk louder than phrases.