Emirati Woman Starts Campaign to Add Arabic to Café Menus for Elderly

Emirati photographer Alia bint Sultan has launched a campaign to encourage cafés across the UAE to include Arabic in their menus, aiming to improve accessibility for elderly citizens who often struggle with English-only menus.

The campaign, coinciding with the International Day for Older Persons, responds to concerns raised by seniors who find themselves relying on family members to translate when ordering in cafés, a dependency that can impact their sense of independence.

Since the campaign launched, approximately 16 cafés in the UAE have responded positively by adding Arabic options to their menus. Businesses in the Gulf and other Arab nations have also shown interest, with some offering to translate menus into Arabic at no cost.

With the slogan “Together We Make Change,” Alia’s campaign has sparked a movement that fosters community inclusivity, proving that small steps can have a meaningful impact on people’s daily lives.