Abu Dhabi: On May 15, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the United Arab Emirates as part of his Middle East tour, following visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. His reception in Abu Dhabi drew widespread attention due to its traditional yet unique style.
At the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warmly welcomed Trump. The highlight of the event was a cultural performance of the traditional Gulf dance “Al-Ayyala,” involving both men and women.
Footage from the event, showing women with untied hair dancing in organized lines, quickly went viral on social media and sparked global discussion. Reactions varied — some praised it as a display of cultural heritage, while others criticized the involvement of women in such a manner within an Islamic nation.
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Some online users speculated that the video might have been AI-generated, while others defended it as a genuine representation of Gulf tradition. Notably, UNESCO recognized Al-Ayyala in 2014 as part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage.
The dance is widely practiced across Gulf nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, where men often hold swords or sticks while women perform with flowing hair and wear elaborately embroidered “Thobe Nashal” dresses.
During Trump’s reception, the prominent placement of women in the front row dancing caught viewers’ attention and became a focal point of global debate.
