An Emirati content creator has successfully assumed a diplomatic role on his Instagram page to promote culture and arts, utilizing his skills in both Hindi and English to build cultural bridges and human connections that link Arab customs and traditions with the 1.3 billion people in India. This has been achieved through hosting Bollywood stars and facilitating exchanges that introduce elements of customs, traditions, heritage sites, and tourist destinations.
Ahmad Al-Marzouqi, whom his followers describe as a cultural diplomacy ambassador in the UAE, won the Best Content Creator award in the Middle East at the "International Iconic Awards," which focuses on Bollywood. His journey on Instagram began in 2019 when he decided to open his page under the name "Chai with Ahmad" on his birthday, dedicating it to interviewing cinema and art stars from India and presenting them to the Arab audience, driven by his passion for Indian films and stories.
Al-Marzouqi mentioned that the days of the ancestors in the UAE and the Gulf region used to involve cultural and commercial interactions during the 1960s, where Gulf residents worked with Indians in import and export, forming close relationships. He added, "I try through my page to revive the brilliance of this inspiring communication and strengthen cultural and social ties, allowing interested Arab followers living in the UAE to learn about both Emirati and Indian cultures.
Shy and Introverted Victim of Bullying
Al-Marzouqi faced a difficult childhood, having been a tragic victim of bullying for over 20 years. He was an introverted person with no close friends and was naturally shy, but he broke this barrier in front of the camera and was able to convince his followers to enjoy entertaining cultural content. He stated, "Social media granted me inspiring energy and a kind and loving circle of friends, healing 20 years of psychological scars, and I am now happy to achieve a moral ambition and healthy success."
Al-Marzouqi is among the top 50 content creators and faced challenges in his digital journey, initially messaging Bollywood stars who often declined to conduct video interviews for his page. However, once he gained popularity, they began sending him invitations to interview them for his Instagram. In 2020, Al-Marzouqi succeeded in securing a collaboration with the digital platform "Vuuzle TV," where he became a host and aired eight episodes from their studio.
Cultural Ambassador in a Grand House
He described social media as "his grand house," noting that it significantly changed his personality and made him comfortable speaking with people without fear. He indicated that live interactions boosted his self-confidence, and he received positive impressions from his audience, stating that an influencer can be a cultural ambassador for their society and should thoroughly understand cultural specifics when presenting any content to ensure accurate information for the public.
Live Coverage at Expo 2020
Ahmad plans to provide live coverage from the world’s most significant event, Expo Dubai 2020, which will commence on October 1, through interviews with visitors, artists, and celebrities. He intends to include a visit to the Indian pavilion to introduce updates on Indian culture, entertaining stories, exclusive conferences, and news about visiting Bollywood stars. He expressed, "I am passionate about Indian cinema, and I have knowledge of the traditions and customs in Indian culture. My followers call me 'Google Bollywood.'"
Bollywood Stars and Their Love for Arab Culture
He added, "India possesses a rich cultural heritage with many diverse traditions and religions, and everyone accepts and respects differences while uniting in love for their country. All the Bollywood stars I have met expressed their love for Arabs and confirmed the existence of shared historical commonalities between the two cultures. Every actor has beautiful memories in the UAE, notably stars such as Jacqueline Fernandez, Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, and Urvashi Rautela."
