Desert Challenge Empowers Emirati Youth Identity

Return to Roots: A 1000-Kilometer Desert Challenge for Emirati Youth Cultural Renaissance

In the United Arab Emirates, there is a growing recognition that younger generations are increasingly distancing themselves from their cultural heritage. Modern lifestyles, technological advancements, and urban environments have sidelined traditional values and connection to the natural environment. The Misrah initiative offers a solution to this social issue by uniquely combining physical challenge and cultural reconnection.

The goal of the program: Reconnect with the desert and heritage

“Misrah,” which means “morning departure” in Arabic, is an intensive two-phase program. The initiative aims to lead young people aged 18–25—whether citizens or residents—back to the roots of Emirati culture, particularly desert life. This is achieved not through theoretical lectures, but through real, tangible experiences.

The first phase of the program offers 500 applicants a 12-hour heritage preservation training over one week, lasting four days with daily four-hour sessions. The training takes place at the Police Camel Camp in Abu Dhabi, where participants learn camel care, traditional saddle making, folk arts, and storytelling.

After this training phase, the most dedicated 100 participants are given the opportunity to take part in a 1,000-kilometer desert expedition that travels through various landscapes of Abu Dhabi emirate.

The desert as a teacher

The program is not just a physical challenge. The desert serves as an ancient teacher, testing perseverance, patience, and adaptability—values that are fundamental to Emirati identity. Participants traverse the route on foot, just as their ancestors did for centuries. In the desert environment, survival skills—finding water, making fire, setting up camp, navigating without a compass—develop competencies that are valuable even in modern life.

Training themes: tradition, community, survival

Participants learn the basics at three main stations:

The Coffee House – The art of traditional coffee-making, where they learn not only about the coffee but also the stories associated with it and the culture of hospitality.

Folk Arts Workshops – Folk art sessions that demonstrate Emirati rituals and community experiences through Al Ayala and Al Harbiya dances.

Camel Pastures – Techniques for camel care, tool usage, and the basics of harmonious coexistence with animals.

In addition to technical training, live cultural preservation plays a significant role: storytelling, singing together, and reviving old tales. These moments convey cultural heritage that goes beyond textbooks, creating an emotional bond between participants and the past.

The social significance of the challenge

The initiative responds to a serious social problem: research indicates that more than 40% of Emirati youth feel disconnected from their own culture, and over 35% lead sedentary lifestyles. This is an alarming phenomenon not only from a health standpoint but also culturally since heritage can only remain alive if the next generations truly feel it as their own.

One of Misrah’s main goals is to educate cultural ambassadors who, through their experiences, can pass on the knowledge and experiences gained. Preserving identity is only possible if young people experience their cultural heritage not as alienated onlookers, but as active participants.

Openness and participation

The program is open not only to citizens but also to residents living in the UAE. Applications are made through the volunteers.ae site, and the training sessions are conducted between August 21 and October 19, 2025. More information can be found on the official Active Abu Dhabi website.

Summary

Misrah is more than a desert trek; it is a cultural pilgrimage that shapes not just the body but the soul as well. Young people who take on this path not only learn survival techniques but also rediscover their own identity, roots, and the power of belonging to a community. The program’s message is clear: the Emirati culture is alive, breathing, and in every step on the sand—you just have to step onto this journey.

(Source of the article: Statement from the Police Camel Camp.)