Lumia Khan views the UAE as more than a residence. The founder and CEO of Furrari Events and Marketing has lived in the Emirates for all 40 years of her life. Her father moved to the country over 50 years ago, placing her family among the early expatriates who saw the nation develop. She says growing up in a multicultural society taught her to respect diverse cultures and backgrounds.
The Gulf News profile, written by reporter Tricia Gajitos and last updated on June 18, 2026 at 14:57, notes that Khan says, “We have not only witnessed the UAE's incredible growth over the decades but we have grown alongside it. This country is the only home I have ever truly known.” She frames her personal story as tightly woven with the country’s rapid transformation. She notes that the sense of safety she experienced allowed her to pursue ambitions without fear.
"One of the things I value most about the UAE is the sense of safety. Growing up here, we never felt uneasy or unsafe," Khan said.
She explains that this feeling of security gives residents the confidence to dream, take risks and build a future. In her view, the stable environment lets families thrive and children grow with a strong sense of stability, which in turn fuels personal ambition. She adds that such confidence is essential for entrepreneurship and creative ventures.
"The UAE is constantly evolving and living here teaches you how to evolve with it. It has taught me not to fear change but to embrace it," shared Khan.
Living through successive phases of economic change, Khan says each period required her to learn new skills, adapt quickly and find creative solutions. She credits the nation’s infrastructure, vision and people‑first approach for encouraging ambition, hard work and community values. Those pillars, she believes, bring out the best in those who live here. She observes that resilience and innovation often create new opportunities even during periods of uncertainty.
Watching the country develop over the decades reinforced a mindset that guides her today. Khan says the experience inspired her to believe that anything is possible with dedication and perseverance, a sentiment that resonates with many long‑term expatriates who consider the Emirates their true home. She points to her own career across various industries as evidence of the UAE’s dynamic environment.
Frequently asked questions
What does Lumia Khan say about safety in the UAE?
Khan says the sense of safety in the UAE allowed her to pursue ambitions without fear, noting that growing up there she never felt uneasy or unsafe, which gave residents confidence to dream and take risks.
How has the UAE's growth impacted expatriate careers?
She explains that the country's rapid development created infrastructure, vision, and a people‑first approach that encouraged ambition, hard work, and community values, enabling expatriates like herself to evolve their skills and seize new business opportunities.
What opportunities does the UAE offer for Pakistani expats?
Khan highlights that the multicultural society and stable environment provide Pakistani expats with career growth, entrepreneurship prospects, and the ability to thrive in diverse industries, as reflected in her own journey across multiple sectors.
How can women entrepreneurs succeed in the UAE?
According to Khan, the UAE’s evolving landscape rewards resilience and innovation; women can leverage the nation’s safety, supportive infrastructure, and openness to change to build successful ventures, as she has done with Furrari Events.
Why does Lumia Khan consider the UAE her true home?
She states that having lived there all her life, the UAE’s safety, opportunities, and community values have woven her personal story with the country’s transformation, making it the only home she truly knows.
