Abu Dhabi: With people of different nationalities living side by side in the capital, one community group is looking to make the most out of Abu Dhabi’s multicultural vibe by bringing people together to share and learn about each other’s cultures.

Founded back in 2012, Building Cultural Connections has more than 800 members now and organises a wide range of monthly events. Meet-ups include gatherings at a member’s home, or adventures to the outdoors, all with the aim of having residents come together on a shared platform of tolerance and understanding.

“The group is about bringing different groups of people together, to appreciate and learn about one another’s culture and to have a better understanding of each other,” said Jacqueline Smith, the group’s main organiser.

“We are very lucky to live in a very diverse country like the UAE, there are people from all cultures and religions living together, and so we thought that this provided a fantastic opportunity for such a group to be created.

“When we see what is happening in the world today, I believe it makes it even more vital for people to come together to break down barriers, and to recognise and respect different cultures and religions,” she added.

Smith explained that the group also helps with newly arrived residents who are looking to make new friends in the capital.

“A lot of expatriates come here and sometimes they can be isolated at first because they are in a new city and environment, so the group in a way is a good opportunity for them to come and meet new people, build friendships, and create a social life outside the workplace.

“Another aspect for new expatriates is that they might be meeting people from many different cultures and religions for the first time because Abu Dhabi provides that very multicultural setting that you might not get in other cities, and so our group is a good way for having them adjust and get acquainted with that,” she added.

Smith said learning about the UAE’s culture and heritage was also among the group’s main activities.

“We have members who are from the UAE, and we feel that it is important to learn about the country that we are living in. We feel privileged to be living in the UAE,” she said.

Explaining the group’s meetups, Smith said, “Some events are organised at people’s homes, which provide a much more intimate setting for people to interact.

“It is a very relaxed environment for people to share their experiences and culture. The host of the house will also cook something that is from their cultural cuisine, and will then spend a few minutes explaining the cuisine’s relevance in their culture and how it is cooked.

“For other events, we organise a trip to the desert, or go to an art show together. There are many things happening in Abu Dhabi, so there is always so much we can do together as a group, which is a great way of bonding and forming relationships,” she added.

How to join

People can become a member of Building Cultural Connections on its official meet-up page:

https://www.meetup.com/Building-Cultural-Connections/about/