UAE Youth Ambassador busts stereotypes at Osaka expo

MOST COMMON QUESTIONS RELATE TO EMIRATI ATTIRE, MOOSA AL ZAABI SAYS

- BY ASHWANI KUMAR

Are you a king? That's one of the many surprising questions Moosa Al Zaabi, the Emirati Youth Ambassador in the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, often hears from curious visitors, who are mostly Japanese.

As the first point of contact for thousands entering the pavilion, Al Zaabi embraces the role of cultural guide, correcting misconceptions and showcasing the UAE's heritage.

“Being a representative of your country is a huge responsibility, but also a tremendous privilege,” he said. “You're the first face people see when they interact with your country. It's an opportunity to share our culture, history and identity.”

Among the most frequent questions are those about Emirati attire. Some visitors ask if he is royalty because of his traditional attire.

'Oh! Are you a king?'