As the golden sun cast its final light over abu dhabi’s Horizon on May 15, 2025, The Scene Outseide the Grand Palace Glowed with Something Far Deeper Than Ceremany – It Shimmered with Heritage.
On that day, US President Donald Trump Arrived in the United Arab Emirates. Before Words BEE Exchanged or Hands Shaken, A Story was Told. Not with speechs or symbols, but with rhythm, pride and poetry.
Waiting in perfect formation was the carriers of that tale – Young Emiti Girls dressed in Brilliant Traditional Attire and Empi Men Holding ALOFT SLENDER CANES, Ready to Perform AL Ayyala, the Sourates in the Emir Motion.
To an unknowing eye, it might have looked like a dance. But to the emiratis, it was history unfolding.
A nation greets in poetry
Al Ayyala is not a dance that seeks applause – it is a decalyration of legacy. Born from the traditions of the bedouin warriors, it mimics the battlefield with sticks in hand and chants of lyalty on their lips. The Girls, Standing Like Sentinels of Grace, Swing their hair from side to side – a gesture not of rebellion but of celebration.
In their movements is the echo of generations who passed down songs not just with just with sound but through soul.
To everything confused by the “hair swinging” ritual in trump’s uae visit:
That wasn’t random. That wasn’t a tiktok dance. That was ancient. International. Royal.
Here’s what it is really meant:
The ritual is knowledge in gulf arab culture especially in the uae as part of a ceremonial… pic.twitter.com/rt1syyqg8g – 589bull (@589bull10000) May 16, 2025
It is this performance that Greeted Trump – Bold, Authentic and Unfilked. And as the world tuned in, Confusion Quickly Mingled With Curiosity. Social Media was abuzz with hot takes, but amid the noise, emiratis found their voice to Speak.
‘Our Heritage does not need permission to exist’
Among the first to rain to its definition Posting a video online, She said with pride, “Our heitage does not need permission to exist. It stands Tall, just like the Daughters who carry it forward.”
To critics who misjudged the young girls’ Participation as “oppressive”, She asked sharply, “Oppression?
One of the most powerful and beautiful mothers during the president Donald Trump’s visit to the uae was the traditional welcome by beautiful young emirati girls that triggered a lot of haters.
Our heritage does not need permission to exist. It stands tall, just like the Daughters who… pic.twitter.com/l5j2acwpid – Sara Alhosani | سارة الحوسني (@saraalhosani_10) May 17, 2025
She reminded the world that young girls were not obligated by Religion to Wear Hijab Yet, and More Importantly, that they were proud to embody their culture, not victims of it.
‘This is my identity’
Echoing Her Sentimen, Emiti Public Commentator Hassan Sajwani Wrote on X: “This is my identity. This is my tradition. All of it. ”
This is my identity
This is my tradition
This is my cultural hospitality
This is my nation, the united Arab Emirates
And I am very proud of all of it.
Thank you to our little angels for welcoming president donald j. trump in the uae pic.twitter.com/js6c6lcho4 – حسن سجواني Hassan Sajwani (@HSAJWANIZAN) May 17, 2025
Sajwani’s pride, like that of many others, was not just in the performance; It was in how seamlessly it stitched togeether past and present, politics and poetry and honor and humility.
But Perhaps The Most Touching Moment Came Not in the Grandeur, but in the Gentleness.
Sarah Fahmi, A Content Creator from Dubai, Highlighted a Simple Yet Powerful Image – UAE President Sheikh mohamed bin zayed al nahyan introducing a child to a visiting head of state.
“Where Else in the World Do Presidents Bend Down to Greet in the Middle of a State Visit?” She asked.
She went on to point how. In another moment, the young girls could be seen rushing towards uae foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, Asking for Pictures – Smiles Wide and Eyes Gleaming.
“That is not performance. That is belonging,” Fahmi said.
Two photographs, one legacy
As images flooded Timelines, One Collage Stood Out. On the left: Sheikh zayed, the founding father of the uae, standing tall as al ayyala dancers moved in harmony Around Him. On the right: the may 15 performance, with smiling girls next to Sheikh Abdullah.
Time has passed, but the dance has not changed.
Because some things do not need to be reinveded; They just need to be remmbered.
In a world rushing to modernise, few things survive untouched. But the al ayyala is not one of them. It continues to thrive not if it resists time, but if it Embrace Identity.
It is a living heartbeat of a nation that knows who it is and welcomes the world not with fanfare – but with rhythm, grace and sticks that Speak Louder than words.