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Algeria, Egypt and the Arabic competition culture

To start with, we have to congratulate Egypt for a convincing win over Algeria. It doesn't get clearer than 4-0, and the win is obviously well deserved. Having said that, this game is a living example of everything that is wrong with Arabic football, and this reflects the many flaws we have in other aspects of life.

Algeria is probably as good as Egypt, maybe a little better or a bit worse. 4-0 might lead observers to believe there is a huge technical gap between the two teams , but what it really reflects is how bad we are at losing, and how unequiped we are in defeat. 3 red cards for a team of professional footballers who've just celebrated a birth in the coming World Cup! One might be a result of an honest mistake, or a clumsy challenge, but 2 or 3 is just an indication of emotional immaturity! They gave up, were pissed off and decided to have a go at the players to vent and conceal their weakness! Let's be clear, what the Algerians did doesn't reflect dedication, patriotism or professionalism. It only indicates bankruptcy and desperation. We are emotionally defeated and immature. We give up and as a result we change the course of the fight and start our own objectives which no one cares about but ourselves. There should be a very big question mark over the maturity of those red carded, and their involvement in the team going for the World Cup should be re-evaluated.

As for Egypt. Well, a game of football can not be equated to October War. Sending the whole population on full alert and having actors, singers and all sorts of celebrities charging up the atmosphere is an indication of desperation and utter absurdity. You lost the game and Algeria deserved to go through to the world cup. Live with it. If they were aggressive in supporting their team, you were not exactly the most gracious of hosts! Algeria is not the enemy. Much bigger rivalries exist in the footballing world! Argentina and Brazil, Italy and Germany, Italy and France, Argentina and England who played each other few years after the Falkland War, and till now the players respect and show admiration of each other! Grow up and accept the fact that you always choke when it comes to the World Cup!

Egypt are likely to go home with the cup, and Algeria are likely to lose 3 games in the World Cup and go home. In both cases our media will hail the result as a success, and we will still talk about that game Algeria won against Germany back in 1982. Basking in old glories just as we do in any other field of life.

We need to be reasonable and consistent. We need to be mature and rise to the occasion. We need to stop choking when things matter and accept our failures and successes as our own doing.

To all those reasonable Egyptian fans, congratulations and good luck in the final. To all those reasonable Algerians fans, hard luck and better luck in the World cup. To all the rest, get a life!

The Arab National Anthem!

Well... Not exactly. It's not even in Arabic, but it says exactly what almost 300 Million Arabs give or take think and wish every single day of their lives!



Uprising by Muse. A song for the oppressed. for those who had their dreams stolen, their ambitions shattered, their hopes diminished and their life hijacked by fat cats and blood suckers!

The Tallest Buildings in Dubai

Dubai has 54 buildings taller than 180 meters, and 47 buildings taller than 200 meters, only New
York City and Hong Kong come before Dubai in the number of buildings taller than 200 meters with
50 and 52 buildings respectively.

But, Dubai comes first in the number of buildings stand taller than 300 meters with 11 buildings,
While Hong Kong and Chicago both have 6 each.

The Tallest 10 Buildings:

1- Burj Dubai, height equals to 818 meters with 160 floors built for multipurpose usage. It’s also the tallest building in the world.

2- Almas Tower, height equals to 363 meters with 68 floors built as an office tower. It’s the 15-th tallest building in the world.

3- Emirates Office Tower, height equals to 355 meters with 54 floors used as offices. The 17-th tallest building in the world and the tallest completed building in the UAE.

4- Rose Tower, height equals to 333 meters with 72 floors used as a hotel. 22-ed tallest building in the world and the tallest building in the world that is used as a hotel.

5- The Index, height is 328 meters with 80 floors used for multipurpose.

6- Burj Al Arab, it’s a 321 meters tall tower with 60 floors used as a hotel.

7- HHHR Tower, 317 meters high with 72 floors.

8- Ocean heights, 310 meters height with 84 floors.

9- Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, 309 meters height with 56 floors used as a hotel.

10- The Address Down Town Burj Dubai, 306 meters height with 63 floors.

For the complete list please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Dubai