Q: It is more tolerant although it shares the major religion of the middle east, and many of the cultural traits of the rest of the region. It is also geographically closer than most middle eastern countries to Saudi Arabia, which is one of the least westernized countries of them all. And what do you think the rest of the middle east thinks of Dubai?
A: Please do not forget that the UAE was a british colony before it became the UAE. Means, the Emirates where under western influence a long time before getting independent. The leaders of the UAE (especially Dubai) know that sooner or later they have to depend on tourism because oil will not last forever. Most of UAE today's leading heads got educated in the West and are familiar with Western customs without loosing their own heritage. But of course these people are more open minded than others. Leading people in the UAE just know that there is no future of the UAE without compromising with the West (accepting Western culture up to a certain extend). Point is, that the UAE is and will always be a Muslim country. Opinions from other Middle East Countries may be divided, but the UAE has to think it's own interests first. From own experience I can tell you that many people from other Middle East countries would like to come here and live/work in the UAE. Guess in most cases the offered salary is more worth than thinking about how westernized the UAE is. Money and knowledge is what makes the world go around. Same for the UAE - but Emiratisation is on the way. Take care.