The welcome ceremony in UAE continues! 🇺🇸🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/sXqS1IboMN
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 15, 2025
India Prime | Devender Singh International Desk |Hair-Flipping Dance at Trump’s UAE Reception Goes Viral
Donald Trump, on a tour of three Gulf countries, reached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar. At the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi — Qasr Al Watan — Trump received a grand and unique welcome. As soon as Trump arrived at the palace, girls dressed in white traditional attire performed a traditional dance with their hair flowing. The video of this welcome ceremony is now going viral on the internet.
Let’s first see what’s in the viral video that made it go viral. The video was officially shared on X by Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47), Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor at the White House, on May 15, 2025, at 6:11 PM. The video shows a glimpse of the welcome ceremony held in honor of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the UAE. Along with the video, she captioned:
“The welcome ceremony in UAE continues! 🇺🇸🇦🇪”
Hair-Flipping Dance at Trump’s UAE Reception Goes Viral
After the video was released on X, users started reacting in various ways. Some questioned the authenticity of the video as it went viral across social media. Some users gave strange reactions, such as the notion that women flipping their hair in the UAE does not hold any specific cultural meaning. In the UAE and other Arab countries, Emirati women usually wear black abayas, symbolizing simplicity and modesty — unlike the white outfits seen in the video. Emirati traditions emphasize hair covering, often done using a hijab.
MLee @Universality171 @Grok
What does women flipping their hair mean in UAE?
Another user replied:
In the UAE, women flipping their hair during ceremonies likely has no specific cultural meaning. It appears to be an incidental action, such as adjusting hair, rather than a traditional practice. Emirati women typically wear black abayas, symbolizing modesty, not the white robes seen in the video. Hair practices focus on covering, often with a hijab, and no evidence links hair flipping to UAE customs. The gesture may be a natural movement or context-specific, but without more details, its significance remains unclear.
What is the truth behind the viral video of Donald Trump’s UAE trip?
The cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known worldwide for its richness and diversity. A vital part of this heritage is traditional Emirati dance, such as Al-Na’ashat, which is primarily performed by young girls. These dances are proudly performed during weddings, national celebrations, and to welcome guests. Questions have been raised about this dance, particularly by those unfamiliar with Gulf cultures. Some perceive it as “Western influence,” while others mistakenly understand it as modern entertainment.
What is the Al-Na’ashat dance?
The UAE government and cultural organizations such as the Abu Dhabi Culture Authority and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority actively promote traditional dances. Al-Na’ashat, which is part of the Al-Ayyala dance, was included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014. It is a symbol of UAE’s cultural identity.
Al-Na’ashat is a traditional Emirati dance mainly performed by young girls. In this dance, girls rhythmically sway their long hair, creating a beautiful and coordinated visual. It symbolizes community unity, celebration, and cultural pride. Al-Na’ashat is typically performed on special occasions such as:
Weddings: A celebration of joy and unity among families and communities.
National festivals: Such as UAE National Day, reflecting the country’s unity and heritage.
Welcoming guests: In honor of international leaders or dignitaries.
This dance is part of centuries-old traditions and is deeply connected to the UAE’s Bedouin and maritime heritage. The colorful costumes and jewelry worn during the dance reflect the richness of local culture. As mentioned earlier, it is also listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Past controversy during Donald Trump’s Saudi Arabia visit
During Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017, some events were misunderstood.
Incident: In May 2017, Trump visited Saudi Arabia, where he was welcomed with the traditional Saudi sword dance (Ardah). Trump even participated in the dance. This is a common practice in Saudi Arabia to welcome important guests.
Social Media Impact: After the incident, videos of various traditional Gulf dances — including Emirati Al-Na’ashat — went viral on social media. Some people mistakenly linked these videos to Trump’s visit, assuming they were performed specifically to impress Western guests.
Reality: Al-Na’ashat and other Gulf dances have been performed for centuries. These dances are presented in honor of all guests — whether they are from the West, Asia, Africa, or the Arab world. They are not specifically tied to Trump’s visit. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia proudly showcase their cultural heritage to guests from around the world.
