I can attest to the article as I am close by in Abu Dhabi and it’s 114 degrees (45C) with a heat index of 118. Luckily it’s cooler today as the heat index yesterday was 123. Getting in the car is fun after it’s been heat soaked as the interior can get well above 140. Ahhh, the Arabian peninsula in summer.
I will not go to Dubai/Abu Dhabi in the summer. I make sure my trips are by April or after October. I am in Beijing today and it is only 94F but a heat index of 109F. It was pretty brutal walking the 4 blocks to the office this morning.
Its unlikely that many of the shieks stay long outside in the heat. They’re likely inside in the air conditioning.
Once you get used to air conditioning its real hard to go back to the stifling heat.
Some —but not many—like it hot.
(I may be wrong about arabs. Please correct me if I am wrong. For I know none.)