US EditionTrump welcomed in UAE with traditional 'hair flip' Al-Ayyala dance: Here's more about it
- U.S. President Donald Trump ended his Middle East visit on May 15, 2025, at Qasr Al Watan palace in the United Arab Emirates, greeted by a traditional Al-Ayyala dance performance.
- The visit was the concluding part of a Middle East tour that included earlier engagements in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, during which key defense and technology agreements were established between the U.S. And Gulf countries.
- The Al-Ayyala performance featured men synchronizing drumbeats and chants, women rhythmically flipping their hair, and sword-like props to simulate a battle scene reflecting Gulf heritage.
- Al-Ayyala, inscribed by UNESCO in 2014 as Intangible Cultural Heritage, represents over 400 years of tradition symbolizing pride, unity, and community spirit across the Arabian Peninsula including UAE and Oman.
- The cultural welcome highlighted the UAE’s emphasis on heritage alongside Trump's announcements of AI and multibillion-dollar deals, suggesting strengthened U.S.-Gulf cooperation in technology and defense.
53 Articles
53 Articles
Emirati girls perform Khaleeji hair-flip dance to welcome Trump, netizens react
A video clip of several young Emirati girls performing the traditional hair-flip dance called as Khaleeji for United States (US) President Donald Trump in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has gone viral on social media, capturing global attention and sparking a wave of online reactions. The performance took place at the presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan, as part of an elaborate cultural welcome during Trump’s three-country tour of the Gul…
Hair-tossing women honor Trump with ceremonial greeting at UAE’s presidential palace · American Wire News
President Donald J. Trump traveled to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, marking the final leg of his Middle East trip. While visiting Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace in the capital city of Abu Dhabi, Trump was greeted by an unusual group of cultural performers. A group of women wearing flowing white gowns tossed their long black hair from side to side as Trump walked through the palace, while a small group of men waved sword-lik…
What is Al-Ayyala, the hair-flipping welcome that Donald Trump received in UAE?
When Donald Trump arrived at Abu Dhabi's presidential palace, he was greeted by an eye-catching visual of girls in white robes flipping their hair side to side, while men beat rhythmic drums and chanted in sync. The Unesco-honoured dance form known as Al-ayyala blends music, poetry and is popular in the UAE and Oman
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left, 42% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
