A house in Dubai without a door… has been receiving visitors and tourists for 35 years

In a rare humanitarian gesture, citizen Ahmed bin Sulayem bin Butti Al Ameri, in Dubai, chose to design and leave his house without a door for more than 35 years, so that it will always be open to everyone and to receive everyone who passes through the neighborhood, including guests, visitors, tourists, the poor, and workers, in a living message that reflects Emirati generosity and embodies the values ​​and spirit of giving, assistance, and solidarity that characterize society.

The house, located in the first Zabeel area, provides a practical model of the security and safety that Emirati society enjoys, as the house has remained open for decades without witnessing any problems, becoming a permanent space for the meeting of family, neighbors, relatives and children, in a way that brings together and reflects the meanings of “gathering”, meeting and human communication, and enhances mutual trust between members of society, and a feeling of reassurance and stability for citizens and residents together.

In detail, Ahmed Al Ameri told the story of his house to Emirates Today, saying: “I built my house in 1983, and I got married in it in 1984, and at the beginning it contained a door on the western side. After five to six years had passed, we expanded the house and made modifications to it, and I decided to redesign it without a door and without any barriers, so that it would always be open to everyone and to receive guests, neighborhood members, and children on occasions and holidays.”

He explained that the philosophy of the open house stems from a firm conviction in the importance of meeting and communication, saying: “If we had closed the door, no one would have come, and we would not have gathered. From that time until today, we have not faced any problems, and the house has remained an open space for people.”

He pointed out that his house was the last house built in the neighborhood, and over time it became a natural stop for everyone passing through the area, where everyone entered without hesitation. He narrated a remarkable situation, saying: “Several days ago, some foreign tourists visiting Dubai entered the house and thought it was a garden or a public park. When they saw us sitting, they were surprised when they learned that it was a private house, so we received them, welcomed them, and offered hospitality, and this is what makes us happy, because generosity and good reception are values ​​we were raised on.”

He continued that these values ​​go back to his upbringing in the Zabeel area, where the council of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God have mercy on him, was open to everyone, adding: “We used to go to the council and sit in the barza without anyone stopping us or asking us, and we were accustomed to receiving guests and not rejecting anyone. These are customs that we inspired from our sheikhs and leaders, and from here came the idea of ​​having my house without a door.”

To enhance this spirit, he designed in his house a tent dedicated to receiving visitors and gathering family, neighbors, relatives, children, and even workers and the poor, to provide hospitality and revive the tradition of open majlis. He stressed that the house remained open over the years without fear or worry, saying: “My children sleep while the house is open, and we have not faced any problem, and this is clear evidence of the security and safety that we live in in the UAE.”

He stressed that residents of Dubai feel as safe as citizens do, and are keen to preserve it, saying: “We did not complain about anything, and we thank the leadership and government for the goodness in which we live. The resident fears for the place just as the citizen fears for him.”

He pointed out that the pressures of life and work made people need an outlet, explaining that his home is open to everyone because of the natural atmosphere it provides that gives visitors a feeling of comfort and distance from the pressures of work. He also pointed out his passion for traveling, as he is considered one of the first Emiratis to travel around the world by car, as he set out on his journey in 1988 and visited a number of countries all the way to Britain, stressing that these experiences strengthened his love of closeness with people and hosting them.

The story of this open house in Dubai remains a living witness that generosity, safety and coexistence are not slogans, but rather daily practices that reflect the spirit of Emirati society and its authentic values.

. Some Dubai tourists entered the house thinking that it was a garden or a public park, and they were surprised when they learned that it was a private house, so we welcomed them and offered them our duty of hospitality.