My Arab

My first post

Hi, my name is Anita Williams. I am a Jazz singer from Ireland and my husband is from Damascus, Syria. We have been living in Dubai for the last 2 years. 

Coming from Catholic Ireland and being married to a Muslim Arab and living in the Middle East has been an incredible journey. I have decided to write this blog to hopefully educate people like me who knew very little about the extraordinary way of life in this country.

I have encountered acts of such kindness from everybody here in every walk of life. It all started when I chose to marry my husband under Sharia law in a Muslim court. I was treated with incredible kindness by everyone who dealt with our marriage. From the lovely ladies at the help desk to the judge himself who was actually so humble and explained to me that Islam is not what you see around you and I hope one day you will see what true Islam is all about. 

Having shocked most of my family and friends by getting married to an Arab Muslim and living in Dubai, I never questioned my decision. Because when you know you know.

I have many lovely stories to tell about how my life has changed by far for the better. I now wake every morning to the sound of call for prayer (Athan) at dawn and find it the most beautiful way to start your day. It is quite amazing as we live in between 5 mosques and the variation of voices and characters is mystical. I have had friends and family stay who found these early morning calls for prayer intimidating at the start of their visit only to grow to love them like I have at the end of their stay.

Being a Jazz singer and coming from completely different background, I find it a very peaceful beginning to your day. 

My life has transformed completely. I really have found inner peace living in this society. I have made incredible friends; Muslims and none Muslims and I realized how ill-informed I and most other are about life and living in the Middle East. 

As a character, I am quite flamboyant. Flaming Irish red hair with the personality to match and have seen nothing but kindness and respect from the Muslim culture that I have encountered in this country. I have never felt restricted with my life since we moved here. Contrary to what people believe. I have come to learn that Dubai and the Middle East is all about respect.

Taking into consideration that I am a Jazz singer and I had no idea what opportunities if any would come my way in the Arab community..... I was pleasantly surprised. I have been so fortunate with the most amazing performances that have come way.....ie Fifi Arabia Perfume Oscars , Middle East Fashion Awards , Diamond Exchange World launch  to name but a few. I have sang at the breathtaking famous dancing fountains at the Burj Khalifia , to the magnificent Burj Al Arab and the magical Atlantis . In other words the Arabs and Jazz Singer have just got on famously.

Nothing could have prepared me for the wonderful, warm reception I have received from these very humble polite people. I am treated with such respect living here and I do not even speak the language.

My next topic......Being married to An Arab has been a huge plus. The most obvious is Khaled, my husband, speaks fluent Arabic and has hugely helped me along my journey. In a society where over 80% of the population are of foreign origin there is an incredible tolerance by locals to foreigners in this very peaceful society. Quite frankly I have never felt so safe and I do not speak the language. However my next goal is to conquer this and I really hope that one day I will stand proud and sing an Arabic song. One never knows the very first Arabic Jazz tune.

I am so very proud to have been asked to perform at the final announcement of Expo 2020 at the Capital Club in Dubai to be part of this memorable event. To me this shows that Dubai is all about opportunity. Everything is possible here if you are willing to work hard for it. I am proof of this and wish Dubai the best of luck in winning the nomination of Expo 2020. It will make us all so very proud.

Will write all about the events of the evening in my next post along with many very funny adventures. In the meantime, please listen to my songs here www.anita-williams.com Hopefully we'll meet along the way.