While You're There

Spiritual life creates space to explore life’s meaning, purpose, and how to foster connection to the deepest part of one’s self. Exploring and developing spiritual identity is an aspect of cultivating belonging, which is part of NYUAD’s commitment to IDBE.

The United Arab Emirates encourages religious and spiritual inclusion and is home to practitioners of many faiths who live and worship side-by-side. Islam is the United Arab Emirates’ official religion. In addition to the many mosques located throughout the country, there are places of worship available to practice different faiths and beliefs.

• On-campus facilities: We have six prayer rooms (three for males and three for females) as well as a multi-faith room, where we sponsor a lending library. The multi-faith room is a quiet space for reflection, prayer, and meditation open to all students for their personal spiritual and/or faith practice. The room is also available to reserve for small gatherings, such as meditation circles, religious student group meetings, or interfaith dialogues. Jum'a Prayer is also held on-campus on Fridays.
  
• Transportation to places of worship: During the school year, we arrange free transportation to some Muslim mosques, Christian churches, Hindu temples, and Jewish synagogues for our undergraduate students. If our school shuttles do not go to your place of worship, travel costs are reimbursable.
• Pastoral care and spiritual direction: We understand that students are often far from their home faith communities. NYU New York Chaplains are available to speak with students via phone or video conference. Our Student Life advisors and local affiliates are also available for pastoral care and support. This may include comfort in times of sorrow, prayer in times of need, and conversation regarding spiritual reflection and vocational discernment.

Religious holidays are a time for celebration, reflection, and community. Giving students the opportunity to celebrate religious holidays from a diverse spectrum of traditions is crucial to NYUAD’s commitment to IDBE. Consider reading The Diversity Awareness Partnership’s calendar of observances and holidays celebrated across 25 traditions (PDF) to learn more about religious holidays happening during your time abroad.

The Holy Month of Ramadan is a time of fasting, reflection, charity, and prayer. The Muslim population in the UAE fasts from before sunrise to sunset. During fasting hours, Muslims do not eat, drink, or smoke. In most workplaces, including NYUAD, private dining space is provided for those not observing fasting to have their meals during Ramadan.

Ramadan coincides with the academic calendar. Daylight during UAE Ramadan is tranquil and reflective. Nightfall brings thanksgiving and celebration as Abu Dhabi’s city is adorned with festive lights and majestic iftar tents. Here’s a little of what you can expect:

• NYUAD hosts Ahlan Ramadan (meaning “hello Ramadan” in Arabic), an event designed to introduce attendees to Ramadan rituals and explore their meanings.
• The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque hosts public iftars and lectures.
• Extra-curricular events happen after sunset and iftar, so fasting students can participate in programming. 
• Iftar tents pop-up up all over Abu Dhabi, offering a place for those fasting and those who are not to gather and break bread together.
  

Learn more about Ramadan at NYUAD by reading our Semester at NYUAD during Ramadan (PDF) guide.

NYUAD supports students with faith-inspired cultural events and has several student interest groups (SIGs) organized around spiritual practices. These programs include Bible study, fellowship and prayer partners in the Christian tradition, sharing insight into Jewish culture and tradition, and events and community service learning about the Islamic faith.

Members of any religious group may, without penalty, absent themselves from regularly scheduled class timings when compliance with their religious obligations requires an absence. Students are entitled to miss class without any penalty to their grade. Students must provide Information regarding religious observance absences in advance of an absence.

Dietary Considerations: NYUAD offers an assortment of food choices that suit the needs of all students. Staff can provide students with a list of halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo options.

As a community member, if you have specific dietary needs, you can personally get in touch with our Executive Chef or even contact our Chef-in-Charge on that day, whose photo is on display in the main dining hall. Students may also reach out to our campus dietician for further consultation and advice. For general information on dining, visit our Dining webpage.

You may also want to reflect on the role religion and/or spirituality play in your life now and what your expectations or needs are for your time away. Questions to consider:

• Do you have a strong connection and/or sense of belonging to a religious or spiritual group?
• Do you have a prayer or meditation space?
• Do you go to certain places for dietary needs?
• Do you celebrate certain holidays? Are these holidays you would want to celebrate during study away?

Exploring timeless questions about human experience and the world around us should be relished for its own sake, and it is at NYU Abu Dhabi. For more information on Diversity-related Course Offerings, visit our Core Colloquia page.

• Gender and Representation
• Dis/Abilities in Musical Contexts
• Religion and the Boundaries of Tolerance
• Feminist Theory in a Globalizing Context
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Tolerance?: Contemplations on 21st Century Identity Formation
• Islamism, Islamophobia, and Muslim Popular Culture
• Religion, Revolution, Media
• Black Internationalism
  

The SLICE Screens series screens films that celebrate depth, profound meanings, and authentic messaging. These films are followed by intellectual dialogues led by experts in the field and, sometimes, interviews with directors and/or filmmakers. Watch the films, enjoy the discussions and maybe win a cool prize!

Sustained Dialogue is an initiative designed to create a “brave space” where students can connect, practice empathy and vulnerability, and explore a range of sensitive topics in a cohort of their peers.

This three-part cultural competence training facilitates becoming more self-aware and conscious of the ways that you have been socialized.

Global Education offers visiting students the opportunity to visit local cultural sites, including Diwan Mosque in Dubai Creek.

One-third of our SIGs represent identity groups, serving a dual purpose of offering "affinity" and "solidarity" space for students. SIGs help develop friendships, challenge you to grow and express yourself, and provide opportunities to lead and follow across a broad spectrum of activities. Here are a few SIGs to look forward to:

• Arab Culture Club
• ADvocacy (Community Service and Human Rights)
• Caribbean Student Association
• Chinese Culture Club
  
• Latinoamérica SIG
• Muslim Students Association
  
• Pakistan Student Association
  
  

NYU Abu Dhabi is committed to building and strengthening a university-wide inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity culture. Visit our Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, and Equity page for more about the IDBE landscape.