The family is the most important institution in Arab society, encompassing grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and more distant relatives as well as the immediate family unit. Relationship within these extended families are strong and respect is accorded to the older members.

Families arrange marriages, although the bride and bridegroom have to agree to the liaison. Wedding celebrations are major occasions that last for several days and involve much feasting, music and dancing.

Women are respected in Islamic society, taking their place at the heart of the family. They have equal educational opportunities and increasingly work outside the home.

Courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized virtues of the Arab Word, and the visitors is sure to be charmed by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the people.

The serving of freshly ground Arabic coffee flavoured with cardamom is a sign of welcome. This is poured from the traditional long-spouted Arabian coffee pot into small cups with no handles. It is considered polite to accept one, two or three cups and then shake the cup gently from side to side to indicate you have had enough.

The timeless values of Islam lie at the heart of UAE's living heritage, providing a strength and inspiration that touches all aspects of everyday life.

Ramadan is the Holy Month in which Muslims commemorate the revelations of the Holy Koran. Its timing is not fixed in terms of the Gregorian calendar, but goes back 11 days every year. In 2011, Ramadan will start around August 1st.

Eid Al Fitr is a feast that marks the end of Ramadan ( August 30, 2011) and is celebrated for three days. The celebrations start after prayers in the morning, when gifts are exchanged.

Eid Al Adha is a festival of sacrifice and marks the end of Haj (November 6, 2011) and it lasts four days.

Haj: The pilgrimage that all Muslims should make to Mecca at least once in their lives.

The Arab national dress worn throughout the Gulf is adapted to the high temperatures and religious beliefs of the region.

Men wear an ankle-length, loose-fitting garment known as a kandoura or dishdasha that is usually made of white cotton, although some darker, heavier materials may sometimes be seen in winter.

A small white crocheted skull-cap, the gahfia or togia, is covered by the gutra, which is a long white cotton cloth or sometimes red-and-white woolen material in winter. The gutra is kept in place by the igal, a double black woolen braid worn around the crown of the head.

Emirati women usually wear a long-sleeved, full-length dress, which is also called a kondoura and is often elaborately embroidered in gold, silver or colloured thread.

The thobe is worn over trousers, sirwal, and dress, and covered entirely by a black abbaya. The hair is covered and the face may also be covered by a gishwa, a thin veil.

The sport of falconry is among the many traditional pastimes still practiced in UAE. It is a unique partnership between man and bird and if you are lucky you may see a hooded falcon being trained on its owner’s gloved wrist.

The ancient sport of camel-racing also attracts a sizeable following – and substantial purses for champions.

Traditional water sports still actively practiced include sea rowing, dhow sailing and the more recent wooden powerboat racing.

Throughout history, the Arabs have maintained a great love of horses and this tradition lives on in the 21st century with the rapid growth and development of horse-racing. This includes the Dubai World Cup, run in March – which is the world’s richest horse race.

The ruling Al Maktoum family is the driving force behind Arabian horses in the emirate. Sheikh Hamdan has invested much time and resources in breeding Arabian horses and Sheikh Mohammed – dubbed the Knight of Endurance by the media – is recognized as one of the leading owners and riders of Arabians on the endurance trail. His sons, too, are enjoying considerable success both locally and internationally.

The UAE Breeder’s Cup – a flat race for locally-bred Arabians – was inaugurated in 2002.