I’ve been living in Oman for close to a decade as an English lecturer by day and a travel writer by night. I’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the Gulf nations during this time and can appreciate not only the beauty and culture while venturing to places such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, but also the hospitality of the locals.
During my time living and traveling throughout the region, I’ve learned about various myths about the Middle East that need to be debunked.
Myth: It’s not safe
The biggest misconception about traveling to the Middle East that I hear is that it’s not safe. People are extremely concerned when I tell them that I not only live in the Middle East as a single Black woman but that I travel throughout the region solo also.
However, people are even more surprised when I tell them that I live in one of the safest countries in the world. Oman is ranked the fifth-safest country in the world by the Internations 2021 Expat Insider survey. Other countries that rank high on safety indexes include the UAE and Bahrain.
Myth: It is unaccepting of people from different cultures
While Islam is the main religion throughout the region, that does not mean people from other walks of life are unwelcome in the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. For example, Dubai’s population is made up of over 80% expatriates and many are Christian, Buddhist, or of other faith traditions.
You will find a variety of ethnicities, religions and cultures blended throughout the UAE. You can also find communities of people with different cultural makeups in other areas of the region including Qatar and Kuwait.
Myth: Women have no rights
People would be surprised to see just how many women in the Middle East are thriving, living full and abundant lives. I’ve lived in the region for almost a decade and have seen women in director roles at the university I work for and have seen many women heading organizations. In most of the classes I teach, there are more young women than men.
Overall, women make up more than half of the student population in tertiary education throughout the MENA region. While you will see most women in the region covered and dressing modestly, it is truly a choice to wear an abaya out of respect for their culture. Women are proud of their religious and cultural choices while living in the region.
Myth: There will be a language barrier
I can personally attest to being able to get around perfectly fine in the Middle East without speaking Arabic. While Arabic is the first language of most who live here, English is second and thus used quite commonly in most establishments.
In most major cities, locals have studied English from primary school up through university. English is the global language, making it possible to travel throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world easily.
Myth: Alcohol is inaccessible
While in Islam, alcohol is “haram” i.e. forbidden, as a foreigner you will be able to have access in most regions of the Middle East. However, it is more difficult to get a hold of in certain places like Saudi Arabia. In regions such as Oman, UAE and Bahrain, expats and foreign visitors can access hotel bars and some restaurants that have alcohol licenses.
Additionally, expatriates who live in the region like myself are able to get alcohol licenses in order to purchase it at liquor stores. Nevertheless, purchasing alcohol can be pricey since there is a “sin” tax markup on haram items such as alcohol and pork.
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