Within the UAE, social media users marked the 100 year birth anniversary of the founding father of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Internationally, issues like racism and extremism continued to be highlighted.
1. Remembering Zayed
On the birth centenary of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, on May 6, the Arabic hashtag ‘Zayed Centenary’ was the top trend in the UAE. Users remembered Shaikh Zayed’s legacy and honoured it in their different ways.
(Instagram) @ndp.dubai: Today we celebrate the 100-year birthday of the UAE’s founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (May his soul rest in peace)/. This is part of the hologram speech created @ndp.dubai for the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan.
2. #ArabYouthSurvey
Results of the 10th annual Arab Youth Survey were announced on May 8, with UAE continuing to be voted the top choice for young Arabs.
(Twitter) @MEPRA_org: 50% of Arab Youth are getting their news from @facebook #ArabYouthSurvey
3. Growing intolerance
In India, violence erupted at the campus of one of the country’s biggest universities – Aligarh Muslim University, over an 83-year-old portrait of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Many social media users supported the university and its students, leading to the hashtag #IStandWithAMU.
(Twitter) @Khushbookhan_: We hoist our tricolour with immense respect and passion, still u question our nationalism, we are the people of this sacred land and will remain until our bodies turn into ashes!! #IStandWithAMU
#ThankATeacher
It is Teacher Appreciation Week and social media users and celebrities alike took the time out to thank the teachers that changed their lives.
(Twitter) @jaackiiee_o: It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Instead of accepting gifts, I’m asking for an invaluable investment that doesn’t cost a penny - vote for educator candidates and pro-public education candidates! #ILovePublicEducation #ThankATeacher
Met Gala
On May 7, one of the biggest nights in fashion – the Met Gala was organised with the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”. It led to many fashion hits and misses and became a worldwide trend.
(Twitter) @latestly: Did you know #PriyankaChopra’s Met Gala Headgear Took Over 250 Hours To Hand Bead?
#ThisIsAmerica
Award-winning actor Donald Glover who also performs under the stage name Childish Gambino released his politically charged song ‘This is America’ this week, and it immediately became one of the top trending videos on YouTube, getting over 48 million views in just four days.
(Twitter) @dyllyp: #ThisIsAmerica is Childish Gambino’s most poignant and direct piece yet. He shoots an unarmed blindfolded black man in the back of the head (police brutality), guns down a black choir with an AK47 (white supremacy) and then dances away as if nothing happened just as America does.
Unbeaten Barcelona
Football Club Barcelona remained unbeaten in the Spanish league El Clasico after they drew 2-2 against Real Madrid last week, becoming an instant social media trend.
@BarcaUniversal: That’s number 42.. Don’t underrate it. 42 consecutive games unbeaten in La Liga.
Instagram Stories of the week
Karnataka elections – What do they mean and what are the issues that can swing the results? Gulf News’ social media team breaks it down.
Dubai’s super sale – With up to 90 per cent discounts on fashion, household and electronic items, find out which brands are participating.
Sana signal revamped – The old ‘Sana signal’ in Dubai now has a new tunnel that will facilitate traffic. Find out where exactly it is located.
Ramadan Guide - Will this be your first Ramadan in the UAE? Find out all you need to know about the month.
- Compiled by Huda Tabrez/Community Web Editor
