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Humaid Al Hammadi: Man who made it a mission to raise awareness on Emirati culture

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi-based Humaid Al Hammadi founded the non-profit Emirati Korean Friendship Society in 2012.

Realising the cultural gap between the UAE and Korea, an Emirati entrepreneur made it a mission to educate foreigners on UAE culture and empower his fellow Emiratis with knowledge about a foreign culture.
Abu Dhabi-based Humaid Al Hammadi founded the non-profit Emirati Korean Friendship Society in 2012 to encourage knowledge and cultural exchange between both countries that enjoy strong relations.
Al Hammadi, who studied the language and culture after living in Korea for a period of time, said the idea started when he saw a cultural misunderstanding from both sides.
"I was reading an article about Korea in a UAE newspaper and found a picture of a woman wearing a kimono (Japanese traditional dress) published with it. Koreans wear a hanbok, not kimono," said Al Hammadi, who received his bachelor's degree in engineering from Boston University and Masters of Business Administration from Zayed University.
He added: "Similarly, I watched a documentary in Korea about UAE where they placed the flag of another country. I realised that there's a bridge we have to build between both cultures."
Since then, the association educates over 300 Koreans and Emiratis annually. This year, Al Hammadi said the association will be working on five initiatives for the Year of Zayed.
It will organise five lectures in Korean universities about the Father of the Nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; launch a website in Korean language about Sheikh Zayed; place Sheikh Zayed biography books in Korean libraries; and publish the leader's biography in Korean newspapers.
Among the initiatives Al Hammadi takes pride in is the activities that the association holds on Zayed Humanitarian Day that falls on 19th of Ramadan. "The initiative receives great response from Koreans on a yearly basis because we raise awareness on Sheikh Zayed's achievements and good deeds to the country and the region. We also educate them about the UAE cultures, heritage and traditions, and how we mark the month of Ramadan," said Al Hammadi.
During the day, the association also organises a tour for Koreans around the Zayed Centre in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen district that showcases the late leader's projects and collections. Al Hammadi said the association also supports the Korean cultural week.
When most Koreans viewed UAE as a touristic destination, Al Hammadi felt the country also stands out for its heritage and culture that needed to be passed through. The association has also helped the country in its trade relations with interested Korean entrepreneurs and investors.
"We have reached a good place in becoming the hub for information exchange and cultural awareness. Korean investors consult us on the right projects to start up in the country. Emirati tourists to Korea also reach out to us for advice on Korean sites and healthcare facilities," said Al Hammadi.
While relations between both countries has been strong since the 1980s in fields of nuclear and renewable energy, space and healthcare, Al Hammadi said the people-to-people relations still suffered a gap. That's where the association's role comes in.
The association educates interested Emirati visitors to Korea on the culture and traditions.
"Many Emiratis visit Korea for the healthcare facilities as the UAE was the first country in the region to cooperate with Korea in this aspect. We support tourists in that aspect as well," said Al Hammadi.
As the relations between both countries developed further into a private strategic partnership following the South Korean president Moon Jae-in's visit to UAE back in March, Al Hammadi said the role of his association will grow further.
"I believe we owe it to our country that we do whatever it takes to benefit our people," he said.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com