Interviewed by Natalia Remmer ABDALLAH AL KASSAB - A POPULAR EMIRATIC SPEAKER GENRE ACTOR AND PUBLIC FIGURE. KNOWN IS NOT ONLY AN ACTIVE LIFE POSITION, BUT AND WORK WITH THE YOUNG GENERATION OF ALL NATIONALITIES.
The first time we met several years ago at one of the educational seminars, and today the comedian decided to tell us how the Emirates live, about which we know almost nothing.
Abdullah, thank you for taking the time in his busy schedule. You, it should be noted, every year more and more roles.
Abdullah Al Kassab (hereinafter - A.K.): There are a lot of interesting things in life, and it is very short. I want my life to be filled with all the colors of the rainbow. When you have many abilities, you can change a lot. Today my task is to change the local media, raise them to a new, international level and turn them towards universal humanitarian values, to cleanse the brainwashing technologies that are widely used today. If I can create a new-style TV show, I will consider my task completed.
In your programs, do you plan to talk about the wonderful people of your country?
A.K .: In fact, we have no shortage of outstanding personalities. By the way, the UAE First government initiative aims to talk about the emirates who have become pioneers on a global scale. Few people know about them, since their discoveries are, as a rule, purely scientific. And I don’t think it’s worth making documentaries about them that viewers watch less. It should be an entertaining genre, an interesting story. For example, as the last film about Nelson Mandela. It is also interesting that we can talk about how Sheikh Zayed for 10 years went towards the unification of the country. Even if we show a few hours of his life. Then our children will receive the right role models, and will not be equated with gangsters. I really like the expression: "When children look at great scientists as actors or musicians, civilization takes a leap to a new level."
What image of the United Arab Emirates would you like to export to the rest of the world?
A.K .: Real. One of the British researchers who visited these lands even before the formation of the UAE was amazed that in the royal palaces servants and sheikhs can sit at the same table. That's exactly what we really are. Today, our country is changing rapidly, enriched with new cultures, and we are starting to forget ourselves. Other cultures cannot be blamed - only those who do this. But you can’t forget yourself!
Do you think that the line between the local population and expatriates is slowly erasing?
A.K .: If an emirate sits in a cafe in national clothes all day, drinks coffee and smokes a hookah, and an expat - even of a different faith and nationality - works as a volunteer and benefits society, then he is more of a local resident than the first. Before the unification of the country, the emirate of Abu Dhabi owned 80% of its oil-rich territory. Nevertheless, Sheikh Zayed began to unite the emirates, even tried to invite Qatar and Bahrain into an alliance - he needed everything. And it is right ! If you want to consider yourself local, you need to do something for this country, to contribute to its development - and your work will certainly be noticed and recognized.
What attitude do you expect from foreigners living in the country?
A.K .: Mixed marriages are still not welcome. Although we have many positive examples of marriages between emirates and foreigners, including in royal families. For the rest, do not stereotype us without talking to us. And do not judge one by one about all. For example, there is a big difference between an Arab, whom you can meet at a party in Barasti or in the Al Fahidi quarter. Obviously, you should not expect a serious attitude to a foreigner from the first, and the second, most likely, it will be interesting to talk, for example, about culture or art.
Recently I came across a curious study. People of different nations were invited to describe the history of their country in one sentence. For example, Italians said: "We were a great empire, and today we make shoes." How would you describe the history of the UAE?
A.K .: We were pearl hunters in loincloths, and today we can teach the world how to develop. They say we were lucky to find oil. But there is oil in Nigeria, and in Iran, and in Libya, and in Iraq. But something doesn’t work for them. We are lucky with the national leaders. Sheikh Zayed gave a powerful impetus to the development of our country. Just like Indira Gandhi or Nelson Mandela.
You work a lot with children of different nationalities. What does the younger generation live today?
A.K .: They live in Hollywood. They speak the language of films. Unfortunately, communicating with each other, they do not exchange their cultural experience. Seek where there are fewer deep thoughts. However, our country invests enormously in education: children are the future of our country. Children of all nationalities.
We all know that you started as a conversational artist. What is the peculiarity of the sense of humor of the Arabs? What are you laughing at?
A.K .: Mainly over reality. Best of all are jokes on our daily lives. For example, an Arab woman covers her head only when she sees the emirate in Kandorra. At the same time, with the rest of the Arabs, he walks in public with his head uncovered. In my opinion, this is very funny. We joke about how we behave ourselves in shopping malls or in Global Village. At the same time, we always avoid dirty jokes, as well as those of religion and politics.
What can you recommend for reading to those who want to learn more about the history of the Arab world?
A.K .: "Arabian Sands" by Wilfred Teziger. At least the chapters on the UAE.
