Over the past several decades, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has grown from a nascent nation riddled with geopolitical tensions to one of the most influential powers in the Middle East. Like other nations in the region, the UAE is oil-rich. The UAE, however, has distinguished itself from its regional counterparts by modernizing its nation, both economically and socially, while also retaining its deep Islamic roots. In this way, the Gulf nation is a unique amalgamation of tradition and innovation, serving as a positive role model for other Middle Eastern countries seeking to adapt to the modern world and transform.
The nation’s judicial system highlights the crossroads between modernization and traditional Islam. For instance, the justice system incorporates elements of European civil law and Sharia law. Although having dual legal structures is uncommon, experts have suggested that the judicial system’s fundamental legal principles and structures are easy to understand. Most of the country’s commercial laws draw from European legal concepts as well. This has facilitated a welcoming and beneficial environment for foreign businesses and investors, who play a critical role in the modernization process of the country. The adoption of this legal code has also made the UAE an ideal environment for foreign expatriates to invest in and reside.
While European law is a major driving factor of the country’s modernization and integration of international business, Sharia law continues to play a major role in the nation’s judicial system. The traditional Islamic law primarily applies to social scenarios, such as family law, divorce, or succession. In this way, the UAE has been able to integrate both modern and traditional values into its society.
Socially, the UAE promotes progressive social ideas and policies whilst maintaining traditional concepts. For example, the UAE has diverged from its conservative and, at times, extremist counterparts in the region by advocating for and instituting policies that establish gender equality. Women in the country have the same constitutional rights as men, and today women hold numerous influential positions in society, including in government and business. In 2012, the government ruled that every company and government agency in the country must appoint a female board member. This has had some positive ripple effects. Recent estimates suggest that women comprise 10% of business owners in the UAE’s private sector and hold 15% of seats in the boards of chambers of commerce and industry. These figures far outpace those in other Arab nations.
The Gulf nation ranks first in the world for treating women with respect. The UAE has garnered this title whilst maintaining traditional Islamic elements such as requiring women to seek guardian approval for certain processes, such as getting married or traveling abroad. Evidently, it has highlighted the possibility of merging tradition and modernity in gender equality and parity.
In terms of business, the UAE has transformed into a crucial innovation hub. Over the past two decades, the country’s booming real estate sector has been one of the primary driving forces of economic growth, especially in the city of Dubai. Also, realizing its tech potential, the UAE has invested considerable resources in establishing the country as a digital and technology hub. In 2017, the UAE launched the Dubai Internet of Things (IoT) Strategy, which aims to make Dubai the most advanced IoT ecosystem in the world. According to Forbes, the UAE is also considered the most active startup ecosystem in the Middle East, with 33 of the 50 most-funded startups headquartered in the Emirates. Growing investment in technology and digital resources, high quality of life, robust educational opportunities, professional development prospects, and a legal environment that supports businesses, is sure to augment continued success in this space going forward.
Today, the UAE is considered one of the most advanced digital economies in the world and the leading Arab nation in terms of technological capability and prowess. Other Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, are similarly attempting to merge modernity and tradition. However, experts have noted the inherent tensions visible in Saudi Arabia’s efforts, particularly in its Saudi 2030 Vision. This often results in compromises at the expense of social or economic prosperity. The UAE, on the other hand, has been able to strike an effective balance between modern and traditional elements, allowing the country to prosper.
The UAE is considered one of the most influential powers in the Middle East and one of the only nations in the region that has successfully modernized whilst protecting its traditional Islamic roots. Modernization has allowed the country to grow into an economic and political powerhouse, both in the region and worldwide. The prominent Gulf nation comes out as a role model when it comes to merging traditional Islamic values and modernization to enhance its economy, many other Arab nations should take a leaf out of the UAE’s book.
