U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a brief visit to Qatar and received a grand welcome steeped in Emirati tradition. He was welcomed by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in an elaborate ceremony that quickly captured global attention—especially a moment that has since gone viral across social media platforms.
The standout highlight of the welcome was a performance of the traditional Emirati ‘Al-Ayyala’ dance, which drew particular fascination for its symbolic and eye-catching hair-flipping ritual.
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Shared by Margo Martin, Special Assistant to President Trump and Communications Advisor, the viral video on X (formerly Twitter) was captioned: “The welcome ceremony in UAE continues!” The clip shows young women in traditional Emirati attire standing in elegant rows, rhythmically swinging their long hair from side to side as part of the cultural display.
Behind them, men are seen performing the classic Al-Ayyala dance—chanting poetic verses in unison and holding slender bamboo sticks meant to represent swords or spears, a visual nod to mock combat.
Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Al-Ayyala is a celebrated folk tradition that blends music, poetry, and synchronized movements to symbolize courage, unity, and national pride.
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Performed at weddings, national events, and high-level receptions, it involves two rows of men, usually twenty per side, moving in coordinated steps while beating drums and reciting rhythmic chants. The presence of women, especially in the front rows flipping their hair, adds a graceful and powerful visual element, often reserved for special ceremonies.
The participation of people from all ages, genders, and social backgrounds in Al-Ayyala reflects the inclusivity and cultural richness of the UAE. Trump’s presence at such a ceremony highlighted both the UAE’s deep-rooted customs and its use of cultural diplomacy in welcoming international dignitaries. The moment not only honored tradition but also showcased the UAE’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its heritage on the world stage.
Here’s how social media users reacted:
To everyone confused by the “hair swinging” ritual in Trump’s UAE visit:
That wasn’t random. That wasn’t a TikTok dance.
That was ancient. Intentional. Royal.Here’s what it really meant:
The ritual is known in Gulf Arab culture especially in the UAE as part of a ceremonial… pic.twitter.com/RT1SYyqG8g
— 589bull (@589bull10000) May 16, 2025
JUST IN: President Trump was greeted in the UAE Thursday, by a cultural performance involving women tossing their hair from side to side!
The honor and respect President Trump receives in other countries is remarkable, this is what a true leader looks like 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rR4Yc3IaAp
— FromConvict2Conservative (@YaakovRenewed) May 15, 2025
The hair flipping ritual of Gulf women: A symbolic submission to the conqueror #Trump in the UAE. pic.twitter.com/dh1k1VOaul
— Carole Tahan (@ctahan) May 15, 2025
Dubai Walo What is this … ??? #Trump #TrumpinUAE #Dubai pic.twitter.com/gy3tX2VsHQ
— Zahoor Akash 🇵🇰 (@Zahoori65) May 15, 2025