Expat VS Emirati Life in UAE | KarakWithMahreen: South Asians, Emiratis & Chai

In this episode, we bring together two voices who don’t often share the same mic — a South Asian expat raised in Dubai and a young Emirati local. From growing up in a city full of emigrants to navigating cultural assumptions, language gaps, and chai wars, this conversation explores what it means to belong in a place built by people from everywhere Follow Karak With Mahreen for more meaningful conversations on life, identity, and culture with fascinating individuals. Instagram:   / karakwithmahreen   TikTok:   / karakwithmahreen   YouTube:    / @karakwithmahreen   This episode is brought to you by Brooke Bond Red label Instagram:   / brookebondredlabelarabiatea   Our incredible guests: Ebrahim Abbas Instagram:   / ebrahim_ka   Fahad Kaleem Instagram:   / fahaadk_   0:00 – Introduction 2:50 – Is Dubai full of immigrant people? 4:30 – How does it feel to grow up in a country where most people are immigrants? 7:35 – Does Arabic/UAE culture need a language to be understood? 15:45 – Who are expats in Dubai? 17:30 – Is it hard to meet Emiratis in Dubai? 20:27 – What is UAE culture? 26:31 – What is known about South Asian culture? 34:38 – Are people who grow up in Dubai more civilized? 39:14 – How do expats generally disrespect the culture? 48:48 – What to do at a grand Emirati wedding? 49:50 – Do weddings get government support in the UAE? 57:51 – Are there specific benefits you only get after marriage? 1:01:50 – Is Karak Chai South Asian or Middle Eastern? 1:19:40 – Do Indians, Pakistanis, and Emiratis relate to each other in the UAE? 1:30:11 – How do Pakistanis see Emiratis and how do Emiratis see Pakistanis? 1:33:07 – Which country has more chai drinkers per capita than the UAE? 1:34:03 – Which country launched its first satellite into space first? 1:37:40 – Outro