Expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates may not be ready to don his kandoora just yet – an ankle-length white shirt woven from wool or cotton – but they do lean heavily on Ali Al Saloom’s friendly inside scoop. The man behind “Ask Ali” – a weekly column in The National’s M Magazine – this young Emirati hipster delivers insider tips about the region’s culture, etiquette (for example, wear clothes that cover up cleavage), and history, as well as lighter information such as where to go for good eats, entertainment, and travel. Now Ali is applying his good looks and charm to crucial environmental issues.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=majeFL5J7hY&NR=1[/youtube]
Shattering the notion that Emiratis don’t have a strong environmental ethos, Ali encourages locals and foreigners alike not only to explore the extraordinary treasures that lie outside of Dubai’s towers and racy clubs, but to protect them.
That is the central theme behind the Environmental Show with Ask Ali – the Emirates’ very first documentary series to be aired at Abu Dhabi Corniche’s new Eco-Cinema in the “Bu Tinah Experience” dome.
This project is part of a long-term collaboration between The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Ali, the organization’s Environmental Awareness Ambassador. Each episode will feature extraordinary footage of the numerous fauna, flora and landscapes that make the UAE so special.
Viewers outside of the UAE can visit EAD’s YouTube channel for a chance to see this very charismatic man change the way people see the world around them, and the way they live!
After each premiere, the films will be shown at dome, which is open to the public every day from 10 am -10 pm until November 13. And it costs nothing to attend, but a bit of life-altering time.
:: AMEnfo
More on travel and nature in the UAE:
Nat Geo Goes on Tour Through the UAE
UAE Divers Association: “Stop Buying Sharks and Shark Fin Soup”
Despite Ban, UAE Remains Market Hub for Shark Fins
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
I am so excited to see the series of documentaries.
Me too! Ask Ali is such a charismatic guy, he’s bound to have a huge impact on the local population.