I love Christmas and New Year. There’s something about a mass of tinsel, tree lights and an overindulgence in mince pies that makes me feel warm and comfortable inside. And although there’s that weird dead period between the celebrations, New Year always seems like the chance for a new start, refreshed and revitalised.

The start of the New Year is an obvious focus for chronological reasons. Christmas is the interesting one, though. There is a non-logical reason behind such seasonal (not to mention odd, if you consider Rudolph’s red nose) traditions and celebrations. Namely, religion.

When I first came to the UAE, I thought that living in a Muslim country might mean I had to bid farewell to such customs.

I soon discovered that there are a number of Christian churches available in Abu Dhabi, some indeed built on land donated by the royal family. Then came Easter, complete with eggs and bunnies in the malls. Later there was Halloween, a Celtic and Christian orientated holiday but celebrated enthusiastically (or at least tolerantly) in Abu Dhabi. Thanksgiving was celebrated with gusto, too.

In December Christmas trees were lit up across the capital, gingerbread houses were built, carols sung and Christmas songs played out within the malls. Apart from a difference in weather (it was a rare white Christmas for many back in the UK) the celebration season in the UAE wasn’t too different.

And while the Islamic New Year has already taken place, the Gregorian calendar has not been forgotten: masses of events (mostly involving yet more over-indulgence) are taking place throughout the capital to mark the occasion.
It’s this that really makes me so pleased to be living here. There are responsibilities for the incomer, and respect for local traditions and style are vitally important. But equally there’s a tolerance and general goodwill in this country that would surprise many of those Westerners back home who get their knowledge of the Arab world from tabloid newspapers and bite-sized TV journalism.

Celebrating another culture is embraced and supported here, and diversity is recognised and respected. That makes me respect the country’s own beliefs, traditions and heritage even more. For being able to celebrate my own traditions and customs freely makes me more open to the UAE’s culture and more willing to embrace it.

Matthew Louis