The new mother
Ohoud Al Sayari, 26, is due to give birth to her baby in just a few days.
The Saudi national moved to the UAE three years ago but had already fallen for the country.
The move inspired the couple’s decision on a name for their baby.
“Zayed, of course,” Ohoud says. “There wasn’t even a doubt in our minds. As a tourist I immediately fell in love with the country. When I found out that I was going to live here, I was thrilled.”
A few months ago, she was hired by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company in customer relations.
“Many Saudis are married to Emiratis. Our ties go as deep as that,” Ohoud says.
“It isn’t just geographic or economic ties but blood ties as well, and nothing makes me happier than witnessing that.”
She says the UAE resembles Saudi Arabia in many ways.
“I don’t see any difference, which is why I never feel homesick,” she says. “Our customs are the same, our traditions, our culture. Almost everything.
“There is no difference other than maybe dialect. We say a few words differently but even that isn’t that big a difference.”
Ohoud says she had her first child, Sultan, 2, while living in Saudi Arabia.
“But when I became pregnant for the second time I decided to have it in the UAE at Corniche Hospital,” she says.
“My family and friends are all here as well so I’ve never felt far away from home.
“The UAE is home.”