Banal, civic, and cultural nationalism in the United Arab Emirates: paradoxical discourses and complexities

Unlike other areas of the Middle East, where nationalism indexes war, border disputes and the dichotomy of ‘us / them’, nationalism in the UAE is usually considered ‘banal’. Banal nationalism, which refers to everyday unconscious flagging of nationalism, receives less attention than ‘hot’ nationalism. However, banal nationalism is not benign. Rather, chronotopic complexities in ‘imagined communities’ impact intercultural communication and belonging in diverse societies. With almost 90% of the UAE’s population being foreign residents, many residents have loyalties and ideological habits from both their country of birth and country of residence. Here, a ‘third space’ often emerges whereby notions of belonging are complex and multilayered. Paradoxical discourses around the creation of ‘authentic’ national spaces run parallel to discourses of tolerance and cosmopolitanism. This article aims to critically assess the implications of contemporary banal, civic, and cultural nationalism to inform future research directions in the UAE setting and beyond.