Given the sizable Filipino community in Dubai, it is not surprising that the country has a hub for anything Filipino.
With Filipinos already making up 21.3% of Dubai's population as of this year, it’s no small feat that establishments devoted exclusively to Filipinos continue to flourish.
After all, these locations provide remedies for homesickness among Filipinos.
Al Attar Shopping Centre
This commercial area is a Pinoy classic located in Karama, Dubai. Al Attar Shopping Centre changed into a one-stop shop for anything Pinoy around 2001.
OFWs would often visit there for purposes other than shopping. In addition, they visit the now-defunct online stores to video chat with their relatives back home. In Dubai, Pinoys would also go to Al Attar to see their family dentists and physicians.
Al Attar Shopping Center is still the center for all of the Pinoy needs in Dubai today. Pinoys in Dubai continue to visit this location despite the catastrophic pandemic, especially on the weekends or their days off.
Kabayan territory
This mall is considered Kabayan territory by the locals. Even Indian and Pakistani vendors who speak fluent Filipino can be found in this multicultural area.
It is referred to as the Divisoria of Dubai by fellow Filipinos. Some claim that because of all the tiangge-style mobile stores, it reminds them of Greenhills, San Juan.
