Exploring Fujairah

Fujairah is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the fourth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, and April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman.

Fujairah is a small island (1165 square kilometers; population 108,546). The Fujairah Government Portal web site (FGP) describes the emirate:

"Fujairah holds a unique position in the UAE. It is the only emirate that lies on the eastern side of the UAE, along the Gulf of Oman, while the other six emirates are along the Arabian Gulf. The Emirate derives its name from a spring of water located beneath one of the mountains. The Hajar mountain range that divides the UAE in two, from Ras Al Khaimah to Al Ain has kept Fujairah separated from the rest of the country. The historical importance of Fujairah dates back to the period before the birth of Christ. It was known in the old ages as the land of sea giants. The main cities and villages in Fujairah are Dibba, Murbeh, Qidfa, Al Bidiyah, Masafi and Al-Siji. Fujairah is a land endowed with remarkable beauty."

Granted, this is an official government web site, but just reading that paragraph makes me want to visit Fujairah, and get to know its people, culture, and natural wonders. We in the USA date our history, at most, to 1492 (having eliminated most of the history of the indigenous peoples). Imagine living in Fujairah and tracing your roots back well over 2000 years. I wonder if such a long historical perspective gives the residents a better sense of being centered, and knowing who they are, than we in the USA have. Wouldn't it be great to share a meal with a Fujairah family, and share our ideas and ideals? I'm willing to bet that we would have more in common than you might imagine (maybe along the lines of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs). See my post on Maslow.

The following excerpt from the FGP describes not only the important strategic value of Fujairah, but also gratefully puts to rest a stereotype that many outsiders have of this area of the world. You'll read about the highways that connect Fujairah to cities in other emirates. Now admit it. Didn't you envisage the emirates as being akin to the images in the film Lawrence of Arabia? Sand dunes followed by sand dunes. You may now consign that stereotype to the dustbin of history. Read on:

"This small community today enjoys modern facilities and conveniences, and is linked by modern highways to all major cities in the United Arab Emirates. Fujairah is a mere 90 minutes drive time from Sharjah, under two hours from Dubai, and just three and a half hours from Abu Dhabi. Its strategic location, which provides easy access to international shipping routes, has played a key role in its development as one of the world's top oil-bunkering ports. Over 40 giant tankers pass through the port daily."

Shall we further deconstruct the stereotype of Arabian lands being sand and sand alone? The Port of Fujairah web site has these tidbits:

"Fujairah is also renowned for its high mountains of multiple colours and deep valleys where water courses flow throughout the year which represent yet another attraction for tourists. There are marine reserves where a variety of beautiful and rare sea creatures live amongst a jungle of coral reefs - another attraction for tourists interested in the diving sport.

Tourists are also attracted by the mineral and healing waters such as those to be found at the Madhab and Gamour springs. The waters of these springs are claimed by natives to heal from rheumatism and some skin diseases. The Wareea's waterfalls are is one of the most beautiful mountainous spots in Fujairah.

The attractions of Fujairah are not merely the rugged mountains, the mild weather or the unspoiled beaches, but tourists interested in relics may also leisurely have a stroll in area dating thousands of years before Christ. The ruins of old fortresses and mosques at Fujairah, Bithna and Bidiya areas provide enormous clues to the spectacular history of the region."

Another, far more vicious stereotype to address and, hopefully, erase. These prior quotes that I found from official Fujairah Government web sites, chosen at random, make references to "...the birth of Christ." and "... years before Christ." The mainstream Fujairah rulers, by using these references to the capital 'C' Christ, are revealing, in a small yet significant way, that their religious beliefs are more tolerant than the Western media portrays them to be. The references to dates could have used the current non-religious scientific acronym BCE (Before Common Era), but instead chose to use Christ. I found this an important bridge between peoples, one that was built by the Fujairah leaders. I thank them for that.

But back to the Port of Fujairah, and how reading about it led me to a connection with my home town - Chicago. On Chicago's far south side is the Port of Chicago. I visited it several times as an adult, and was always impressed by its size, its contribution to industry, and how it displayed the brute strength and diversity of Chicago's economy. Have Fujairah citizens reacted like I did when they first viewed their Port? I'll bet their civic pride ran just as deep as mine whenever we saw our respective Ports. Another bridge between peoples.

One of my first jobs after finishing college was at the U.S. Labor Department. My duties included traveling throughout the Midwest and giving audio-video presentations about a newly passed pension protection law known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The first presentation I made was at a Longshoremans Union Local meeting near the Port of Chicago. A rough, tough crowd to be sure, but one that was overjoyed to hear that their pensions finally had some government-backed protection.

As I continue these monthly explorations of the emirates, I am continually surprised and pleased with the commonalities I find. It hasn't taken much time or research to find them. I'll bet that other folks, in the emirates and elsewhere, are doing the same thing I am. That thought makes me feel good about our world. Technology is expanding communications in ways as yet unimagined. Let's explore.

Bye Bye, Dubai?

The worldwide economic house of cards continues its collapse. The latest victim? Dubai. On February 11, the New York Times carried an article entitled, "Laid-Off Foreigners Flee as Dubai Spirals Down" Click here to read more. Before examining this report, let's look at a bit of background on Dubai.

What and where is Dubai? It is a city/emirate within the country known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) See Dubai map. An 'emirate' is defined as a domain that is ruled by an emir. An 'emir' is the term applied to a leader, or chiefain, especially in the Middle East. The UAE is located in the Middle East. It borders Saudi Arabia and Oman. See UAE map. It is made up of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain) that were previously known as the Trucial States.

What is Dubai's recent history? The following is a partial quote from an official Dubai government website: Click here to read more

"In the 1980s and early 1990s, Dubai took a strategic decision to emerge as a major international-quality tourism destination. Investments in tourism infrastructure have paid off handsomely over the years.

Dubai is now a city that boasts unmatchable hotels, remarkable architecture and world-class entertainment and sporting events. The beautiful Burj Al Arab hotel presiding over the coastline of Jumeira beach is the world's only hotel with a seven star rating. The Emirates Towers are one of the many structures that remind us of the commercial confidence in a city that expands at a remarkable rate. Standing 350 meters high, the office tower is the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe.

Dubai also hosts major international sporting events. The Dubai Desert Classic is a major stop on the Professional Golf Association tour. The Dubai Open, an ATP tennis tournament, and the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, draw thousands every year."

The world's tallest building is being built there. Man-made recreational islands were constructed for those in the world's wealthiest class to enjoy. At least one could admire Dubai's attempts to diversify its economy.

These projects were begun when oil was approaching $100 a barrel, and economic boom times seemed to have no end in site. Tens of thousands of people from around the world flocked to Dubai for good-paying jobs and low, sometimes non-existent, taxes. As a matter of fact, 90% of Dubai's population is comprised of these foreigners.

That brings us to Sofia's story in the Times article:

"Sofia, a 34-year-old Frenchwoman, moved here a year ago to take a job in advertising, so confident about Dubai’s fast-growing economy that she bought an apartment for almost $300,000 with a 15-year mortgage." ... “I’m really scared of what could happen, because I bought property here,” said Sofia, who asked that her last name be withheld because she is still hunting for a new job. “If I can’t pay it off, I was told I could end up in debtors’ prison.”

Well, debtor's prison certainly worked wonders during the Middle Ages, didn't it? It worked so well that it totally eliminated the problem of people going in over their heads in debt, right? Similarly, when punishment for stealing a loaf of bread resulted in the thief's hand being cut off resulted in the virtual end of theft as a category of crime. But back to Dubai.

Dubai may also have the dubious distinction of having the world's largest used car lot. It's known as the Dubai airport parking lot.

"With Dubai’s economy in free fall, newspapers have reported that more than 3,000 cars sit abandoned in the parking lot at the Dubai Airport, left by fleeing, debt-ridden foreigners (who could in fact be imprisoned if they failed to pay their bills). Some are said to have maxed-out credit cards inside and notes of apology taped to the windshield."

The Dubai government has officially declined comment on this economic collapse-in-progress. However, the word on the street, in the form of real estate and auto sales, says it all:

"Some things are clear: real estate prices, which rose dramatically during Dubai’s six-year boom, have dropped 30 percent or more over the past two or three months in some parts of the city. Last week, Moody’s Investor’s Service announced that it might downgrade its ratings on six of Dubai’s most prominent state-owned companies, citing a deterioration in the economic outlook. So many used luxury cars are for sale , they are sometimes sold for 40 percent less than the asking price two months ago, car dealers say."

Many people must wonder if no corner of the globe is immune from this recession/depression. We might have thought that even though oil prices are down to ~$35 a barrel, the oil-producing Middle Eastern countries would still stay monetarily afloat, minus a few Mercedes or so. But look at Dubai. Its foreign population is fleeing. And what of its native populace? Neighboring emirates of the UAE are not helping Dubai. Neighboring Middle Eastern countries are not helping. It has become every group for itself.

Now is the time for a unified vision and approach. Not fractured fearful reactions. Yet what has history shown us? The Great Depression of the 1930s did nothing to unite nations in the common bond of economic despair. It was followed by World War II, setting the world chessboard for the matches we've been playing the past 65 years.

Will this current economic free fall result in a reshuffling of the chess pieces? Maybe, it's time to change the game.

See my other posts on emirates: Exploring Abu Dhabi, Exploring Ajman, and Exploring Fujairah