Saturday, March 11, 2006
Dubai
Only if I had a dollar for each time I heard the phrase: "I want to go work in Dubai after my degree."
Time for some background. Dubai is one of the seven states that forms United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Out of these seven states, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most developed and well known. I lived in Abu Dhabi for five years before moving to Canada so my perspective is not completely of an outsider. For simplicity's sake and because I'm too lazy to type U.A.E., everytime I refer to Dubai, it means the entire country.
On a superficial level, Dubai certainly does represent the 'modernity' that the Muslim world has been looking for centuries now. The word itself, in the minds of the uneducated masses and the secular self-proclaimed intellectual elites, has become synonymous with tall glass buildings, short skirts, and the like. I find it very interesting when mixed-marathons are staged in Muslim countries and advertised as a symbol of 'progression.' Never mind the rampant corruption and lack of clean water, as long as men and women have the right to run with each other, everything is A-ok.
So it comes as no surpirse that Dubai with its marvelous waterfront skylines, Benzes and BMWs, artificially grown parks, and mind-boggling architectural projects is seen as the 'perfect fusion' between the East and the West. With mosques at every street corner and the melodius sound of Adhan (call to prayer) being echoed five times a day, it certainly is an example for the rest to follow. Or is it?
Modernity does not come through the constructions of the world's tallest building or the most expensive hotel in the shape of a sailboat overlooking crystal blue water, but its essence lies in the treatment of individuals and in our way of thinking. Justice, equality, mutual respect, observance of human rights, etc. are the pillars that a healthy society should be founded on. When I say 'our way of thinking,' I'm referring to whether we don't litter in the street due to the fear of a fine or because Islam tells us that even removing a harmful object from the road is a good deed? Do we pay the correct bus fare even if the bus driver is not looking or not present?
While I have much respect for how far Dubai has come because it's one of the few resource-rich Muslim country that has put the wealth to good use through excellent long term planning, the society itself is hollow.
Over 50% population of Dubai are expatriates, whom have no right to own land, start a business, or appeal as much as a speeding ticket without getting deported. There's an unwritten code of sorts by the government:
ps. don't forget to come out to the Human Rights in Islam talk/presentation/Q&A session on this Tuesday at Tory Lecture B1. It's actually a GIVE event in conjunction with MSA and part of Islam Awareness Week but our emailing list has stopped working so we can advertize it properly.
Time for some background. Dubai is one of the seven states that forms United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Out of these seven states, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most developed and well known. I lived in Abu Dhabi for five years before moving to Canada so my perspective is not completely of an outsider. For simplicity's sake and because I'm too lazy to type U.A.E., everytime I refer to Dubai, it means the entire country.
On a superficial level, Dubai certainly does represent the 'modernity' that the Muslim world has been looking for centuries now. The word itself, in the minds of the uneducated masses and the secular self-proclaimed intellectual elites, has become synonymous with tall glass buildings, short skirts, and the like. I find it very interesting when mixed-marathons are staged in Muslim countries and advertised as a symbol of 'progression.' Never mind the rampant corruption and lack of clean water, as long as men and women have the right to run with each other, everything is A-ok.
So it comes as no surpirse that Dubai with its marvelous waterfront skylines, Benzes and BMWs, artificially grown parks, and mind-boggling architectural projects is seen as the 'perfect fusion' between the East and the West. With mosques at every street corner and the melodius sound of Adhan (call to prayer) being echoed five times a day, it certainly is an example for the rest to follow. Or is it?
Modernity does not come through the constructions of the world's tallest building or the most expensive hotel in the shape of a sailboat overlooking crystal blue water, but its essence lies in the treatment of individuals and in our way of thinking. Justice, equality, mutual respect, observance of human rights, etc. are the pillars that a healthy society should be founded on. When I say 'our way of thinking,' I'm referring to whether we don't litter in the street due to the fear of a fine or because Islam tells us that even removing a harmful object from the road is a good deed? Do we pay the correct bus fare even if the bus driver is not looking or not present?
While I have much respect for how far Dubai has come because it's one of the few resource-rich Muslim country that has put the wealth to good use through excellent long term planning, the society itself is hollow.
Over 50% population of Dubai are expatriates, whom have no right to own land, start a business, or appeal as much as a speeding ticket without getting deported. There's an unwritten code of sorts by the government:
Behave yourself, stay out of trouble by not criticizing the government or its policies, know that you are not from Dubai and never will be no matter how long you live here and will always be treated like a second class citizen -- comply with these and we will provide you with the best of opportunities to make money that you didn't have in your home countries.So, when people begin to detail the achievements of Dubai, I usually try to maintain a smile on my face for it's not nice to 'burst bubbles' though I've been guilty of making a few 'kids cry.'
ps. don't forget to come out to the Human Rights in Islam talk/presentation/Q&A session on this Tuesday at Tory Lecture B1. It's actually a GIVE event in conjunction with MSA and part of Islam Awareness Week but our emailing list has stopped working so we can advertize it properly.
Faraz Ahmed 9:43 a.m.
8 Comments:
good luck with the event
:)
:)
JazakAllahu Khair anonymous :-)
Plz try to spread the word to everyone. Though the event is intended for non-Muslims, I'm sure the Muslims can also pick up a thing or two insha Allah.
Plus it's no fun speaking before an empty room :-(
[though with a sincere attention, it's as if a million ppl attended...literally!]
Plz try to spread the word to everyone. Though the event is intended for non-Muslims, I'm sure the Muslims can also pick up a thing or two insha Allah.
Plus it's no fun speaking before an empty room :-(
[though with a sincere attention, it's as if a million ppl attended...literally!]
I'm sorry but I think you are talking about ages ago
expats are now allowed to own property and have some rights if not all. so Dubai is making progress in terms of equality and human rights as well
Besides no country is perfect and never will be since perfect life and perfect dwelling is Jannah, right?
expats are now allowed to own property and have some rights if not all. so Dubai is making progress in terms of equality and human rights as well
Besides no country is perfect and never will be since perfect life and perfect dwelling is Jannah, right?
You and I would have a very interesting conversation :-)
I have more experience of Dubai than you do
lived there all my life minus a few
lived there all my life minus a few
your writing gets better with time.
Thank you :-)
I lived in Al Ain for 17 yrs.. before I moved to Canada for 5, and now I'm back here.
Yeps, it's true you can own property- we do- and commercial property is selling like hot cakes! Every single corner of Dubai is under construction, and huge signs of models of what's to come. Check this out: http://odd-wisdom.blogspot.com/2006/12/lots-of-water.html
Total madness!
However, it's sad to see the state of the Muslims going nuts... Alhamdulillah, things are very under control in Al Ain.
The reality is that these are nothing but the signs of the Day of Judgement, and the Arabs rejoice here thinking it's progress.
The few times I drove in Dubai at night, the view is breathtaking, but there's something very sinister about these giant towering buildings all around you...
And finally, many Human Rights commissions are trying to solve the issues of mistreatment of maidservants, cheap labour for construction and punishment such as stoning for adultery. I hope UAE can stand upto it and implement a fair Shariah based system.
(and I agree, lol, it's so much easier to say Dubai than UAE coz ppl know that name!)
Yeps, it's true you can own property- we do- and commercial property is selling like hot cakes! Every single corner of Dubai is under construction, and huge signs of models of what's to come. Check this out: http://odd-wisdom.blogspot.com/2006/12/lots-of-water.html
Total madness!
However, it's sad to see the state of the Muslims going nuts... Alhamdulillah, things are very under control in Al Ain.
The reality is that these are nothing but the signs of the Day of Judgement, and the Arabs rejoice here thinking it's progress.
The few times I drove in Dubai at night, the view is breathtaking, but there's something very sinister about these giant towering buildings all around you...
And finally, many Human Rights commissions are trying to solve the issues of mistreatment of maidservants, cheap labour for construction and punishment such as stoning for adultery. I hope UAE can stand upto it and implement a fair Shariah based system.
(and I agree, lol, it's so much easier to say Dubai than UAE coz ppl know that name!)