Umm Al Quwain 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 last of the seven that I will have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009 (Bye Bye, Dubai?), March 6, 2009 (Exploring Abu Dhabi), April 3, 2009 (Exploring Ajman), May 8, 2009 (Exploring Fujairah), June 12,2009 (Exploring Ras Al Khaimah), and July 17, 2009 (Exploring Sharjah). It has been a fascinating and enriching journey for me.
Umm Al Quwain's population is 41,000, which makes it the least populated of the seven UAE emirates.
gowealthy.com summarized the history of Umm Al Quwain:
"The history of Umm Al Quwain dates back to remote antiquity. The name Umm Al Quwain is derived from Umm Al Quwatain, which means "Mother of two powers", a reference to the powerful seafaring tradition of this emirate.
The earliest settlements in Umm Al Quwain had strong Hellenistic traits; some of these are more than 7,000 years old. Traces of these ancient communities are still discernible in Al Dour, near the town of Umm Al Quwain.
Arrowheads and other polished flint tools have been unearthed in various sites across the UAE, including Umm Al Quwain. And pieces of Ubaid pottery have been unearthed along the shores of the emirate; all evidence obtained so far indicate that contact with Mesopotamia existed as early as the 5th millennium BC as an indigenous ceramic industry did not emerge until the 3rd century BC.
During the Bronze Age (3000 – 1300 BC), semi-nomadic tribes inhabited the region; they shifted in groups from place to place foraging for timber from the indigenous acacia for smelting copper. The metal was sent to all the prominent ports on the Gulf, Umm Al Nar being one of them. Ties with Mesopotamia were jealously maintained and consequently the trade in copper ushered in prosperity in the region.
Also during the Bronze Age, agriculture flourished, with dates being the prominent crop. Wheat, millet and other grains were also cultivated wherever there was enough water for irrigation. It is now widely believed that the climate during the period was more temperate than now. Buildings, mostly fortress towers came up in the UAE, especially in Umm Al Quwain, during the Umm Al Nar period (2500 – 2000 BC). The most common buildings associated with this era are the circular burial tombs. In Alexander the Great’s day, Hellenistic culture thrived in the Al Dour settlement in Umm Al Quwain.
Al Dour was located roughly where the town of Umm Al Quwain is now. It was an important trading port from about 200 BC to 200 AD. The site is interesting not only due to its fort and cemeteries but also because of the discovery, of a temple which has been attributed to the sun god.
The modern history of Umm Al Quwain began some 200 years ago when the Al Ali tribe moved their capital from Al Sinniyah Island to its present location in the mid 18th century, when the sweet water supply dried up.
In 1775 Sheikh Majid Al Mu’alla, founder of the ruling Al Mu’alla lineage of the Al Ali clan, established an independent sheikhdom in Umm al-Quwain. The emirate became a British protectorate on Jan 8, 1820 when the then ruler Sheikh Abdullah I signed the General Maritime Treaty with the United Kingdom. Owing to its strategic position on the way to India, Umm Al Quwain, like Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah was made a salute state. And on Dec 2 1971, Sheikh Ahmad II joined the United Arab Emirates. The current ruler of Umm Al Quwain is Sheikh Rashid III bin Ahmad Al Mu’alla; he has reigned since 1981, when he succeeded his father Sheikh Ahmad II.
In the 21st century, Umm Al Quwain has made major economic and technological inroads and ranks as one of fastest developing emirates in the country."
How has the current economic crisis affected Umm Al Quwain? This question came to me as I had just read that the unemployment rate for Las Vegas is up to 13.1%. Do we have an unfortunate area of common interest with the citizens of this emirate? Unfortunately, yes.
recruitgulf.com has a page devoted to Umm Al Quwain. I clicked on each of the 30 job categories and found the following lead sentence on each of them:
"There are currently no job vacancies matching your particular criteria in Umm al-Quwain."
Let's hope that the job situation in Umm Al Quwain and Las Vegas reverses the current trend so we can both share prosperity again soon. Of course I want to expand that hope to all countries as well.
Check out the recreation. You might enjoy the emirate's Dreamland Aqua Park. If you can wait until 2015, the Umm Al Quwain Marina will be a site to see. With an expected completion date of 2011, White Bay sounds like a residential area not to miss, with "...an arrangement of 8 thousand leasehold residential units as waterfront villas, park-view villas, terraced condominiums, mid-rise apartments and townhouses...".
Can you see yourself enjoying these attractions, and chatting with local folks? I can. Such a vision makes the alleged differences between the citizens of the United States and the citizens of the United Arab Emirates seem trivial.
Forget what fearmongering politicians might want us to believe. Think for yourself. The benefits might surprise you.
Showing posts with label UAE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UAE. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Exploring Sharjah
Sharjah 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 sixth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman, May 8, 2009, Exploring Fujairah, and June 12,2009 Exploring Ras Al Khaimah.
The Department of Seaports & Customs of the Government of Sharjah web site provides the following overview of Sharjah's commercial offerings:
"The Emirate of Sharjah has been associated with maritime trading in the Gulf for centuries. Today, that proud tradition is maintained through its three modern sea ports – Port Khalid and Hamriyah on the west coast on the Arabian Gulf and Khor Fakkan on the east coast on the Gulf of Oman.
The Emirate’s unique position enables it to benefit from these three maritime access points which are owned and managed by the Sharjah Government’s Department of Seaports & Customs.
The management team reports directly to His Highness the Ruler who takes an active interest in the ports’ development resulting in their modern construction, having been upgraded and improved constantly in line with increasing trade.
We handle all types of vessels with cargoes ranging from break-bulk to timber, logs, refrigerated, vehicles, Ro Ro, heavy lifts and containers for which the terminals are equipped with the latest ship-shore gantries and modern yard equipment. Two cold stores of 10,000 tons capacity are located at Port Khalid, where passenger ships call periodically and a regular passenger service operates to Iranian ports.
Our employees are especially trained and customer focused and port users receive personal and dedicated attention throughout our 24 hour operation."
The current world economic downturn made me imagine that such an energenic series of port facilities, with their associated support services, stores, maintenance, homes, et cetera would provide numerous well-paying jobs, leading to positive and prosperous career futures for Sharjah's citizens.
A Sharjah travel web site adds some history and cultural details:
"The Sharjah city is located on the west coast of United Arab Emirates. However, the Sharjah Emirate has been connected with both sides, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The city of Sharjah is renowned for its commitment to art, culture and the city has preserved the local heritage. In 1998, the city was rewarded as the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ by the UNESCO.
The history of Sharjah dates back to 5000 years when it was one of the wealthiest towns in the gulf region. At that time, the population of the city was very low and the income sources were associated with the economic activities such as trade, farming, hunting, fishing and peal (editor's note: probably 'pearl') farming.
In the 16th century, the town became little unstable as the Portuguese conquered area of the east coast in order to control the spice trade. The fort at Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Dibba were built during their command. After that Dutch tried to dominate the area for the same reason.
The 17th century was the turning point of city as British arrived in the region and started trading with Qawasim, the forefathers of present Sharjah ruling family. The area of Gulf and Red sea was preferred by Europeans for linking principal routes of communication between the Mediterranean and India.
In the early of 18th century, ruling Qawasim turned out to be a stronger marine power in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaima. In 1804, Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi became the Sheikh of Sharjah. This forefather of present ruler governed Sharjah for over 50 years.
At the end of 18th century, the relationships between Qawasim and British deteriorated as they blamed each other for attacks and misbehavior.
In 1809, the initial land based attacks by British were stopped. In the year 1820, the first of other peace treaties was signed assuring maritime peace, security and protection of British against any attacks for 150 years. Then the coast was known as Oman Peaceful Coast and Sheikhdoms of Oman as reconciled countries. Until the formation of United Arab Emirates in 1971, these names were attached to the relevant regions."
Would you expect a nation in the Middle East to promote vehicles that run on natural gas rather than on gasoline? Probably not. However, on July 1, 2009, the following article, entitled 'Street cleaning vehicles in Sharjah now run on natural gas', appeared on the Gulfnews web site:
Sharjah: Street sweeping vehicles in Sharjah are now using compressed natural gas in order to promote a healthier environment in the emirate.
"At present, we are supplying the gas to 300 of our vehicles and 20 vehicles that belong to other companies," said Tareq Rashid Deemas, Head of the Directorate of Gas at the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa).
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is the cleanest burning fuel, requires less vehicle maintenance and supports a longer engine life.
"Through this initiative we hope that it will encourage other companies to take on the responsibility of using environmentally friendly fuel, which will in turn make Sharjah a greener emirate."
CNG is the most suitable alternative to petrol as it does not release carbon dioxide, which in turn prevents further global warming.
He pointed out that Sewa is also planning to convert 85 per cent of its fleet to natural gas vehicles. CNG vehicles produce the fewest emissions of any fuel.
"We have set up the first natural gas station in the region with the intention of eliminating car emissions in the emirate, but this can only be done with the cooperation of all companies, whether private or publicly owned," said Deemas.
Sewa launched the first CNG station in the Halwan area, near the Sharjah Co-operative Society, in 2005 and initially only vehicles of Sewa were fitted with the converters to run on gas.
Converting a petrol engine to gas takes about a day and a half, and one canister lasts for about 140 kilometres."
Frankly, I was impressed. Aren't you?
I fear that many Americans see countries like the UAE as socially very conservative and not much fun for its inhabitants. Wrong! In researching Sharjah, I learned about various festivals and entertainment that put that stereotype to rest. Here is but a sampling:
- Sharjah Water Festival: The Sharjah water festival offers several activities that include sand sculpture competitions, water skiing, fireworks display and many more activities.
- Sharjah Arts Biennial: Since 1993, the Department of Culture and Information of Sharjah organizes international Art Biennial event in the city. This event is organized to encourage contacts between artists and art institutions of Arab countries. This event gives great opportunity to Arab artists to share their ideas, art with the artists coming from all around the world. The event is held in the months of April and June.
- The international book fair: The city of Sharjah hosts annual international book fair which is a popular event among the tourists. It takes place in beautifully landscaped Expo centre of Sharjah. The Emir of Sharjah personally takes interest in annual book fair event. Hundreds of publishers from all over the world come here to join this event.
- Sharjah Spring Festival: Every year, thousands of tourists visit Sharjah Spring Festival takes place in the month of January. The event is participated by over 1700 outlets selling variety of things. The promotions in the spring festival include special discounts, offers, fun and entertainment events and activities aimed at highlighting the tourism scene of Sharjah.
Besides these events, I counted 21 different sports that have events for the public in Sharjah - everything from cricket, bowling, and hockey, to snorkeling, powerboat racing, and wind surfing. I got winded just reading about the variety of entertainment available in Sharjah.
The best thing about the preceding information is that it will hopefully put to rest many negative stereotypes about countries like the United Arab Emirates.
The many that are good eclipses the few that are bad. Let's ALL keep that in mind.
The Department of Seaports & Customs of the Government of Sharjah web site provides the following overview of Sharjah's commercial offerings:
"The Emirate of Sharjah has been associated with maritime trading in the Gulf for centuries. Today, that proud tradition is maintained through its three modern sea ports – Port Khalid and Hamriyah on the west coast on the Arabian Gulf and Khor Fakkan on the east coast on the Gulf of Oman.
The Emirate’s unique position enables it to benefit from these three maritime access points which are owned and managed by the Sharjah Government’s Department of Seaports & Customs.
The management team reports directly to His Highness the Ruler who takes an active interest in the ports’ development resulting in their modern construction, having been upgraded and improved constantly in line with increasing trade.
We handle all types of vessels with cargoes ranging from break-bulk to timber, logs, refrigerated, vehicles, Ro Ro, heavy lifts and containers for which the terminals are equipped with the latest ship-shore gantries and modern yard equipment. Two cold stores of 10,000 tons capacity are located at Port Khalid, where passenger ships call periodically and a regular passenger service operates to Iranian ports.
Our employees are especially trained and customer focused and port users receive personal and dedicated attention throughout our 24 hour operation."
The current world economic downturn made me imagine that such an energenic series of port facilities, with their associated support services, stores, maintenance, homes, et cetera would provide numerous well-paying jobs, leading to positive and prosperous career futures for Sharjah's citizens.
A Sharjah travel web site adds some history and cultural details:
"The Sharjah city is located on the west coast of United Arab Emirates. However, the Sharjah Emirate has been connected with both sides, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The city of Sharjah is renowned for its commitment to art, culture and the city has preserved the local heritage. In 1998, the city was rewarded as the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ by the UNESCO.
The history of Sharjah dates back to 5000 years when it was one of the wealthiest towns in the gulf region. At that time, the population of the city was very low and the income sources were associated with the economic activities such as trade, farming, hunting, fishing and peal (editor's note: probably 'pearl') farming.
In the 16th century, the town became little unstable as the Portuguese conquered area of the east coast in order to control the spice trade. The fort at Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Dibba were built during their command. After that Dutch tried to dominate the area for the same reason.
The 17th century was the turning point of city as British arrived in the region and started trading with Qawasim, the forefathers of present Sharjah ruling family. The area of Gulf and Red sea was preferred by Europeans for linking principal routes of communication between the Mediterranean and India.
In the early of 18th century, ruling Qawasim turned out to be a stronger marine power in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaima. In 1804, Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi became the Sheikh of Sharjah. This forefather of present ruler governed Sharjah for over 50 years.
At the end of 18th century, the relationships between Qawasim and British deteriorated as they blamed each other for attacks and misbehavior.
In 1809, the initial land based attacks by British were stopped. In the year 1820, the first of other peace treaties was signed assuring maritime peace, security and protection of British against any attacks for 150 years. Then the coast was known as Oman Peaceful Coast and Sheikhdoms of Oman as reconciled countries. Until the formation of United Arab Emirates in 1971, these names were attached to the relevant regions."
Would you expect a nation in the Middle East to promote vehicles that run on natural gas rather than on gasoline? Probably not. However, on July 1, 2009, the following article, entitled 'Street cleaning vehicles in Sharjah now run on natural gas', appeared on the Gulfnews web site:
Sharjah: Street sweeping vehicles in Sharjah are now using compressed natural gas in order to promote a healthier environment in the emirate.
"At present, we are supplying the gas to 300 of our vehicles and 20 vehicles that belong to other companies," said Tareq Rashid Deemas, Head of the Directorate of Gas at the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa).
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is the cleanest burning fuel, requires less vehicle maintenance and supports a longer engine life.
"Through this initiative we hope that it will encourage other companies to take on the responsibility of using environmentally friendly fuel, which will in turn make Sharjah a greener emirate."
CNG is the most suitable alternative to petrol as it does not release carbon dioxide, which in turn prevents further global warming.
He pointed out that Sewa is also planning to convert 85 per cent of its fleet to natural gas vehicles. CNG vehicles produce the fewest emissions of any fuel.
"We have set up the first natural gas station in the region with the intention of eliminating car emissions in the emirate, but this can only be done with the cooperation of all companies, whether private or publicly owned," said Deemas.
Sewa launched the first CNG station in the Halwan area, near the Sharjah Co-operative Society, in 2005 and initially only vehicles of Sewa were fitted with the converters to run on gas.
Converting a petrol engine to gas takes about a day and a half, and one canister lasts for about 140 kilometres."
Frankly, I was impressed. Aren't you?
I fear that many Americans see countries like the UAE as socially very conservative and not much fun for its inhabitants. Wrong! In researching Sharjah, I learned about various festivals and entertainment that put that stereotype to rest. Here is but a sampling:
- Sharjah Water Festival: The Sharjah water festival offers several activities that include sand sculpture competitions, water skiing, fireworks display and many more activities.
- Sharjah Arts Biennial: Since 1993, the Department of Culture and Information of Sharjah organizes international Art Biennial event in the city. This event is organized to encourage contacts between artists and art institutions of Arab countries. This event gives great opportunity to Arab artists to share their ideas, art with the artists coming from all around the world. The event is held in the months of April and June.
- The international book fair: The city of Sharjah hosts annual international book fair which is a popular event among the tourists. It takes place in beautifully landscaped Expo centre of Sharjah. The Emir of Sharjah personally takes interest in annual book fair event. Hundreds of publishers from all over the world come here to join this event.
- Sharjah Spring Festival: Every year, thousands of tourists visit Sharjah Spring Festival takes place in the month of January. The event is participated by over 1700 outlets selling variety of things. The promotions in the spring festival include special discounts, offers, fun and entertainment events and activities aimed at highlighting the tourism scene of Sharjah.
Besides these events, I counted 21 different sports that have events for the public in Sharjah - everything from cricket, bowling, and hockey, to snorkeling, powerboat racing, and wind surfing. I got winded just reading about the variety of entertainment available in Sharjah.
The best thing about the preceding information is that it will hopefully put to rest many negative stereotypes about countries like the United Arab Emirates.
The many that are good eclipses the few that are bad. Let's ALL keep that in mind.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Exploring Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah 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 fifth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Fujairah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman, and May 8, 2009, Exploring Fujairah.
Ras Al Khaimah, Arabic: رأس الخيمة,, literally translated means "The Top of the Tent". The Gulfnews.com web site describes Ras Al Khaimah:
"Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northern-most emirate in the UAE and has been ruled by His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohmmad Al Qasimi since 1948.
It is the smallest of the seven emirates by some way, covering just 168 square kilometers. That’s just over two per cent of the total mainland of the UAE.
The Emirate has been largely dependent upon traditional occupations, such as fishing, trading and agriculture. Since the establishment of the Federation, much effort has been put into modernising these traditional sectors to meet the demands of the UAE's economy.
In the 1980's, Ras Al Khaimah discovered the small, though useful, offshore Saleh oilfield. Ras Al Khaimah abounds in tuna fish. Another important local industry is cement and building materials.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Saqr Port (Mina Saqr), located next to the town of Ras Al Khaimah, is a deep water port with the latest facilities. It has also developed its new Free Zone on the Al Holaylah Island.
The city of Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two sections by Khor (creek) Ras Al Khaimah. In the western section, known as Old Ras Al Khaimah, are Ras Al Khaimah National Museum and a number of government departments.
The eastern part, known as Al Nakheel, houses the Ruler's office, several government departments and commercial companies. The two sections are connected by a large bridge built across the khor.
RAK was also once the centre of the naval strength of the southern Gulf states. Clashes with the British Navy led to its downfall in 1820 and the subsequent arrival of a British presence upon the local scene.
Ras Al Khaimah officially became a part of the UAE Federation on October 10, 1972, a year after the Federation was formed."
The Awafi Desert is an increasing tourist draw to the area. According to a January 2005 posting on www.ameinfo.com, the inaugural 2005 Awafi Festival included: "...traditional Arabic song and dance shows, colourful display of fire works and a performance by a band troupe..."
I was particularly interested in the traditional Arabic song and dance shows item. Cultural exchanges will ultimately bring various peoples together. Not politics. Not conquest. Sharing each other's dances, songs, and foods establish strong common bonds. They also bring smiles.
While actively involved in the Diversity Committee at a former employer of mine, I found that our annual Diversity picnic was the one event that virtually everyone looked forward to. The chance to share a culinary treat reflective of one's heritage was both irresistible and delicious!
How about a United Nations cultural initiative based on sharing culinary delights in a cooperative, not competitive, way? It's an idea I could really sink my teeth into. What about you?
Ras Al Khaimah, Arabic: رأس الخيمة,, literally translated means "The Top of the Tent". The Gulfnews.com web site describes Ras Al Khaimah:
"Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northern-most emirate in the UAE and has been ruled by His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohmmad Al Qasimi since 1948.
It is the smallest of the seven emirates by some way, covering just 168 square kilometers. That’s just over two per cent of the total mainland of the UAE.
The Emirate has been largely dependent upon traditional occupations, such as fishing, trading and agriculture. Since the establishment of the Federation, much effort has been put into modernising these traditional sectors to meet the demands of the UAE's economy.
In the 1980's, Ras Al Khaimah discovered the small, though useful, offshore Saleh oilfield. Ras Al Khaimah abounds in tuna fish. Another important local industry is cement and building materials.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Saqr Port (Mina Saqr), located next to the town of Ras Al Khaimah, is a deep water port with the latest facilities. It has also developed its new Free Zone on the Al Holaylah Island.
The city of Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two sections by Khor (creek) Ras Al Khaimah. In the western section, known as Old Ras Al Khaimah, are Ras Al Khaimah National Museum and a number of government departments.
The eastern part, known as Al Nakheel, houses the Ruler's office, several government departments and commercial companies. The two sections are connected by a large bridge built across the khor.
RAK was also once the centre of the naval strength of the southern Gulf states. Clashes with the British Navy led to its downfall in 1820 and the subsequent arrival of a British presence upon the local scene.
Ras Al Khaimah officially became a part of the UAE Federation on October 10, 1972, a year after the Federation was formed."
The Awafi Desert is an increasing tourist draw to the area. According to a January 2005 posting on www.ameinfo.com, the inaugural 2005 Awafi Festival included: "...traditional Arabic song and dance shows, colourful display of fire works and a performance by a band troupe..."
I was particularly interested in the traditional Arabic song and dance shows item. Cultural exchanges will ultimately bring various peoples together. Not politics. Not conquest. Sharing each other's dances, songs, and foods establish strong common bonds. They also bring smiles.
While actively involved in the Diversity Committee at a former employer of mine, I found that our annual Diversity picnic was the one event that virtually everyone looked forward to. The chance to share a culinary treat reflective of one's heritage was both irresistible and delicious!
How about a United Nations cultural initiative based on sharing culinary delights in a cooperative, not competitive, way? It's an idea I could really sink my teeth into. What about you?
Friday, May 8, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Exploring Ajman
Ajman 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 third of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, please see my posts dated 02-13-09 Bye, Bye, Dubai? and 03-06-09 Exploring Abu Dhabi
The Oxford Business Group webpage has this to say about Ajman:
- Ajman was formed by the Al Nuaim tribe, who migrated to the region from Oman around 1775. Ajman’s first recognition as an autonomous state was the General Treaty of Peace with Britain (1820). It also subscribed to the Maritime Truce of 1835 and to the Perpetual Maritime Truce in 1853. An exclusive agreement was signed in 1892, placing Ajman and the other Trucial States’ foreign relations in the hands of the British government. In 1968, Britain announced its intention to withdraw from its Gulf treaty obligations by 1971. In December 1971, the British left the area permanently, leaving a path for the formation of the UAE, of which Ajman was a founding member.
- Ajman itself is the smallest of the seven emirates, with a total landmass of 260 sq km, accounting for approximately 0.3% of the total UAE. It is composed of three sections, the principal portion being landward on the Gulf coast, sharing almost its entire border with Sharjah. This section is also the capital city of Ajman and the emirate’s only urban settlement.
- Ajman’s climate is very dry, with minimal rainfall. The weather varies depending on distance from the Gulf coast. The climate is pleasant from November to April, with warm sunny days, cool evenings and low humidity. Daytime temperatures range from 18 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. From May to September, the summer heat and often-high humidity forces most people to head to cooler climes, with daytime temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius. There are occasional tropical storms from January to March.
- Ajman has granted petroleum concessions to foreign companies; however, no supplies have yet been discovered. The Al Zora gas field, off the coast of Ajman, has potential to be developed in the future, but operations have not yet begun. click here to read more
Additional interesting facts about Ajman that I found while looking up other things:
(1) From the brief history above - "Ajman was formed by the Al Nuaim tribe, who migrated to the region from Oman around 1775." One year before the colonies, which were to become the United States of America, declared their independence from England, the Al Nuaim tribe left Oman and, in a sense, declared its own independence. Why did the Al Nuaim tribe decide to leave Oman? Was there repression of some kind to escape, like what motivated the USA's founders? Was it to search for better natural resources?
After a lengthy research battle, with both Google and Dogpile as my allies, I most humbly admit scholarly defeat and refer to Wikipedia for this possible answer: "The Al Nuaim (Arabic: النعيم) tribe is an Arab bedouin tribe, based primarily in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The tribe is the ruling family in Ajman. In Bahrain, the traditional home of the tribe has been Halat Nuaim island. The tribe used to be involved in the lucrative pearl diving industry. The Al Nuaim tribe was one of the several bedouin tribes to move to Bahrain in 1783 after the Al Khalifa conquered the island."
(2) In 1988, the Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) was founded. Reading this brought to mind one of my alma maters, DeVry University, formerly known as Devry Institute of Technology. It would be interesting to sit down with some AUST students in electronics and compare notes. I suspect their coursework is now so far advanced from what I learned in 1979-1981, that we'd likely be speaking different languages (in more ways than one!). If I brought up troubleshooting a circuit board at the individual component level, they would probably laugh. Well, I enjoy a good laugh - even when it's at my expense.
(3) Traditional methods of learning about a foreign land can sometimes make what should be a vitally interesting exercise... well... boring. I mean, are population figures, Gross National Product, and budget figures really interesting? I know, I myself included some facts like this at the outset of the post. So your intrepid explorer has found a topic that truly bridges the gap between peoples of different countries: sewage disposal! In July of 2007, the website, arabianbusiness.com, carried an article entitled, "Ajman turns on sewage system". I quote the opening two paragraphs:
- The northern emirate of Ajman will soon switch on its new AED 800 million sewerage system, according to the Ajman Municipality. The addition to the emirate's infrastructure is being set up to cope with large-scale commercial and residential projects.
- "A healthy living environment for residents, a more vibrant economy, and a greener Ajman are just a few of the benefits promised by the new system," said Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, chairman of Ajman Sewerage Company. click here to read more
Yet another area of common interest, my memory called out. In the late 1950s, I remember new, large sewage pipes being installed in my south side Chicago neighborhood. They seemed enormous to my 8 year old self. The large piles of dirt created in order to accommodate the pipes were great fun to climb, and being modestly dangerous was a bonus too. Did the children in Ajman have similar fun experiences? I'd like to hope so.
(4) Finally, what better bridge-builder between peoples is there than sports? When members of racial minorities were permitted to play in the major USA sports, resistance was experienced at first. But soon, you had white Americans cheering for African American, Hispanic, and Asian players. And what is rarely mentioned, is the reverse. You had minority group kids and adults cheering for white athletes. It gets tougher and tougher to hate someone when you're cheering for them.
So I close this week's post with this item from the March 18, 2009 Gulf Daily News:
- Al Nuaim Boys School clinched the Secondary Schools Handball Championship after a 44-32 victory over Ahmed Al Omran School at Al Shabab Club gym in Jedhafs.
- The final match was held under the patronage of Education Ministry's physical education and scouts director Dr Shaikha Al Jeeb who presented the trophy and other individual prizes to the winners at the awarding ceremony in presence of physical education head Ghazi Al Marzooq and other ministry officials.
Impress your friends, coworkers, and neighbors by mentioning that sports item at your next get-together!
The Oxford Business Group webpage has this to say about Ajman:
- Ajman was formed by the Al Nuaim tribe, who migrated to the region from Oman around 1775. Ajman’s first recognition as an autonomous state was the General Treaty of Peace with Britain (1820). It also subscribed to the Maritime Truce of 1835 and to the Perpetual Maritime Truce in 1853. An exclusive agreement was signed in 1892, placing Ajman and the other Trucial States’ foreign relations in the hands of the British government. In 1968, Britain announced its intention to withdraw from its Gulf treaty obligations by 1971. In December 1971, the British left the area permanently, leaving a path for the formation of the UAE, of which Ajman was a founding member.
- Ajman itself is the smallest of the seven emirates, with a total landmass of 260 sq km, accounting for approximately 0.3% of the total UAE. It is composed of three sections, the principal portion being landward on the Gulf coast, sharing almost its entire border with Sharjah. This section is also the capital city of Ajman and the emirate’s only urban settlement.
- Ajman’s climate is very dry, with minimal rainfall. The weather varies depending on distance from the Gulf coast. The climate is pleasant from November to April, with warm sunny days, cool evenings and low humidity. Daytime temperatures range from 18 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. From May to September, the summer heat and often-high humidity forces most people to head to cooler climes, with daytime temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius. There are occasional tropical storms from January to March.
- Ajman has granted petroleum concessions to foreign companies; however, no supplies have yet been discovered. The Al Zora gas field, off the coast of Ajman, has potential to be developed in the future, but operations have not yet begun. click here to read more
Additional interesting facts about Ajman that I found while looking up other things:
(1) From the brief history above - "Ajman was formed by the Al Nuaim tribe, who migrated to the region from Oman around 1775." One year before the colonies, which were to become the United States of America, declared their independence from England, the Al Nuaim tribe left Oman and, in a sense, declared its own independence. Why did the Al Nuaim tribe decide to leave Oman? Was there repression of some kind to escape, like what motivated the USA's founders? Was it to search for better natural resources?
After a lengthy research battle, with both Google and Dogpile as my allies, I most humbly admit scholarly defeat and refer to Wikipedia for this possible answer: "The Al Nuaim (Arabic: النعيم) tribe is an Arab bedouin tribe, based primarily in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The tribe is the ruling family in Ajman. In Bahrain, the traditional home of the tribe has been Halat Nuaim island. The tribe used to be involved in the lucrative pearl diving industry. The Al Nuaim tribe was one of the several bedouin tribes to move to Bahrain in 1783 after the Al Khalifa conquered the island."
(2) In 1988, the Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) was founded. Reading this brought to mind one of my alma maters, DeVry University, formerly known as Devry Institute of Technology. It would be interesting to sit down with some AUST students in electronics and compare notes. I suspect their coursework is now so far advanced from what I learned in 1979-1981, that we'd likely be speaking different languages (in more ways than one!). If I brought up troubleshooting a circuit board at the individual component level, they would probably laugh. Well, I enjoy a good laugh - even when it's at my expense.
(3) Traditional methods of learning about a foreign land can sometimes make what should be a vitally interesting exercise... well... boring. I mean, are population figures, Gross National Product, and budget figures really interesting? I know, I myself included some facts like this at the outset of the post. So your intrepid explorer has found a topic that truly bridges the gap between peoples of different countries: sewage disposal! In July of 2007, the website, arabianbusiness.com, carried an article entitled, "Ajman turns on sewage system". I quote the opening two paragraphs:
- The northern emirate of Ajman will soon switch on its new AED 800 million sewerage system, according to the Ajman Municipality. The addition to the emirate's infrastructure is being set up to cope with large-scale commercial and residential projects.
- "A healthy living environment for residents, a more vibrant economy, and a greener Ajman are just a few of the benefits promised by the new system," said Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, chairman of Ajman Sewerage Company. click here to read more
Yet another area of common interest, my memory called out. In the late 1950s, I remember new, large sewage pipes being installed in my south side Chicago neighborhood. They seemed enormous to my 8 year old self. The large piles of dirt created in order to accommodate the pipes were great fun to climb, and being modestly dangerous was a bonus too. Did the children in Ajman have similar fun experiences? I'd like to hope so.
(4) Finally, what better bridge-builder between peoples is there than sports? When members of racial minorities were permitted to play in the major USA sports, resistance was experienced at first. But soon, you had white Americans cheering for African American, Hispanic, and Asian players. And what is rarely mentioned, is the reverse. You had minority group kids and adults cheering for white athletes. It gets tougher and tougher to hate someone when you're cheering for them.
So I close this week's post with this item from the March 18, 2009 Gulf Daily News:
- Al Nuaim Boys School clinched the Secondary Schools Handball Championship after a 44-32 victory over Ahmed Al Omran School at Al Shabab Club gym in Jedhafs.
- The final match was held under the patronage of Education Ministry's physical education and scouts director Dr Shaikha Al Jeeb who presented the trophy and other individual prizes to the winners at the awarding ceremony in presence of physical education head Ghazi Al Marzooq and other ministry officials.
Impress your friends, coworkers, and neighbors by mentioning that sports item at your next get-together!
Friday, February 13, 2009
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
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
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