Ahmad N. Allabban
About this Interview
Ahmad N. Allabban was interviewed by Saja Badwadi, his cousin and student AAST 3151/HIST 3672 Public History in Arab Detroit. Allabban lives in the United Arab Emirates. He has traveled extensively in the Middle East and has visited the United States. In this interview, Badwadi asks Allabban about his travels in Egypt. He discusses the process of planning the trip, and traveling there, and describes his experiences from the visit. Allabban also explores the cultural and lifestyle differences between Middle Eastern countries and the United States. He also explains how his identity as an Emirati resident informed his experiences and interactions with locals during his travels.
Development Notes ▼
Photographs
Qasr El Nil Bridge
Statue of a lion on Qasr El Nil Bridge in Cairo, Egypt. Ahmad Allabban took this photo during a visit to Cairo.
The Pyramids of Giza
Allabban visited many of the famous cultural sites Egypt had to offer, including the Pyramids of Giza.
Mummy of a Pharaoh
Prior to visiting Egypt, Allabban knew about some aspects of Egyptian history. During his visit, he was able to learn more and view significant exhibits like this one highlighting a mummified Pharaoh.
For Further Reading
On Egypt
Bakir, Reem A., and Sahar A. Attia. "Changing use of Public Spaces in Cairo during COVID-19." Urban Research & Practice 14, no. 5 (2021): 576-593. Link.
Malmström, Maria Frederika. "Making and Unmaking Masculinities in Cairo through Sonic Infrastructural Violence." Urban Studies (Edinburgh, Scotland) 59, no. 3 (2022; 2021;): 591-607. Link.
Ibrahim, Mohamed R. "How do People Select their Residential Locations in Egypt? The Case of Alexandria." Cities 62, (2017): 96-106. Link.
On the United Arab Emirates
Alawadi, Khaled, Sahar Khaleel, and Ouafa Benkraouda. "Design and Planning for Accessibility: Lessons from Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s Neighborhoods." Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 36, no. 2 (2020; 2021): 487-520. Link.
Alawadi, Khaled, Victoria Hernandez Striedinger, Praveen Maghelal, and Asim Khanal. "Assessing Walkability in Hot Arid Regions: The Case of Downtown Abu Dhabi." Urban Design International (London, England) 27, iss. 3 (2021): 211-231. Link.
Ewers, Michael C. "International Knowledge Mobility and Urban Development in Rapidly Globalizing Areas: Building Global Hubs for Talent in Dubai and Abu Dhabi." Urban Geography 38, no. 2 (2017): 291-314. Link.
Mohammad, Robina, and James D. Sidaway. "Spectacular Urbanization Amidst Variegated Geographies of Globalization: Learning from Abu Dhabi's Trajectory through the Lives of South Asian Men." International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 36, no. 3 (2012): 606-627. Link.
Sotoudehnia, Maral, and Reuben Rose‐Redwood. "‘I Am Burj Khalifa’: Entrepreneurial Urbanism, Toponymic Commodification and the Worlding of Dubai." International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 43, no. 6 (2019): 1014-1027. Link.