UAE: Meet Chinese expat who has become viral for his fluent Arabic skills

Ahmed Alliusie is a Chinese expat who has called the UAE home for half a century and has created quite a buzz on social media. He is a viral sensation, thanks to how he has mastered the Arabic language — that too the Emirati dialect.

Ahmed came to the Emirates with his family in 1972 and grew up here. His Arabic adventure began when his father decided to enroll him in a government school, while his siblings opted for an international one. Now, you might think he'd have felt like a fish out of water, being the only Chinese kid in a sea of Emiratis. But Ahmed didn't experience any imposter syndrome. Sure, “it felt a bit odd at first”, but he quickly found his place among the Emirati kids.

First memories

“My first day in school — there was no social media then — I was probably the first Chinese kid some kids saw, but I never felt strange. In my second week, I began interacting with other kids in the emirate, the Emirati accent came naturally," Ahmed told Khaleej Times.

Now, a businessman, the expat owns a group of companies in the Gulf countries.

“One of the first memories I have of the UAE is how I noticed people stood with each other, how in Ramadan food is given to mosques, and how neighbours just come together. I just love the culture,” he said.

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For Ahmed, Arabic has been a game-changer. He’s had the most heartwarming encounters with locals, who appreciate his efforts to speak Arabic. He practices Arabic even in his daily chores — he would order food at a local joint and see the delight on the server's face when he nails his order in Arabic. It's like unlocking a secret code that opens doors to deeper connections and a sense of belonging.

Emirati flavour

“Arabic is a … throat language. Some people spend years learning Arabic but never quite master the pronunciation of the letter ‘qaf’,” he said, pronouncing the letter perfectly.

What’s more, he even has published a book in Arabic titled ‘Chinese with an Emirati Flavour’.

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