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Hassan, 62, has been living in Abu Dhabi for 38 years. His work experience ranges from picking up trash on the streets of Abu Dhabi to working as a security guard. When asked whether we could take his photograph, he jumped up with excitement and said, “Of course!” When asked whether he considered Abu Dhabi his home given how long he has been living here, he replied “No, not really. My home is back in Kerala with my family.”

Ghulam Shabbir is from Bahawalpur, Pakistan and has been working in Abu Dhabi for 30 years. He runs three tailor shops and is all too happy working in Abu Dhabi. “There’s peace, there’s work. What else do you want?” he said. His happiest moment in his life was when his daughter was born. With true Pakistani hospitality, he offered us a drink before saying goodbye.

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Sardar Wali Khan (right) and his two workers, all from Afghanistan, run a tandoor right next to DTC. Emotionally charged, Sardar Wali Khan questioned, “You’re a student. You must be smart. Tell me this. Abu Dhabi is a great city and they have so much progress. Why can’t we have that? We gained freedom before the UAE, and yet we are in the mess we are.” Seeing that he would receive no response, Khan smiled and said, “If you need any help, be it water, tea or you’re in a dilemma, you’re always welcome in the shop.”

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Ibrahim works in the Baqala right next to Sama Tower. Possibly the shyest of all the interviewees, he is from near Shiraz, Iran. He misses his family dearly but enjoys running the shop, which he does for 8 months before returning home. He told us that his job sometimes entails dealing with weird customers but that it doesn’t deter him. He also possesses a great Urdu accent, which makes speaking to him all the more engaging.