10 Reasons why it's great to live in Dubai

Dubai has been the subject of gazillion news items in for several years now. Ranging from articles written in owe of the huge progress and growth the city experienced, to the bashing of its policies and it's "supposed" decline. Nevertheless, everybody agrees that the buzz this city created throughout the world is unmatched in the region, and in fact many regions across the world. 


Reflecting on my five years I spent in this city, prompted by a discussion with a friend who finally decided to go back home, I decided to share with everyone some of the reasons why I, and many like me I would argue, consider Dubai to be one of the best places to live.

10. Business
Despite all what the doubters say, and indeed despite of the mistakes Dubai committed during its astronomically fast growth, it remains a perfect hub in the region. Let's face it. Dubai has the infrastructure needed to be the link between the East and the West. It also has what it takes to be the starting point for a regional and international business. 


A huge airport, and a first class airliner, in Emirates, gives Dubai the privilige of being the perfect highway people can take travelling anywhere in the world through this region. Numerous Free Zones catering to the needs of multinational companies provides a perfect home for regional offices and logistic centres. Free zones like Jabal Ali, Internet City, Media City, Knowledge Village, Healthcare City, Dubai International Financial Centre cater to numerous business segments and model.


It's also equally important that Dubai historically doesn't mix business with politics. This is most clear in the huge trade volume between UAE and Iran despite of the differences the two countries have, and the ongoing occupation of two UAE islands by Iran. Therefore, you won't  worry that one day the ruler will wake up on the wrong side of his bed one day and decide that certain country nationals are no longer allowed to enter the country, or conduct business in it. 

9. Weather
Europeans are in love with Dubai. The reason being that for a period of six month you constantly live under sunshine and temperatures ranging from 19 to 29 throughout the day. It's the perfect recipe. Perfect weather with a lot of sunshine that will significantly wipe off most of the reasons you might think of to be depressed. The only reason weather is not ranking higher than 9, is that for 4 months during the summer the weather is very unpleasant.

8. Mobility 
For many of us, who are not blessed with having a passport stating in one way or another that your are not a terrorist, or not an illegal immigrant, living in Dubai gives you a great deal of mobility. Your visit visa is less likely to be rejected if you are planning for a vacation in Europe for example. Apparently, they believe that if you live in Dubai, then you have a good job and no good reason to runaway or go and kill yourself somewhere! So, if you are a Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian, Egyptian, Iranian or from any of the other doomed countries, your chances of being able to travel are better off if you live in Dubai than if you live in your own country. Suffice to say, you are more likely to be able to afford it if you have a job in Dubai, in most cases.


Equally important is that of all the countries in the Gulf Region that offers financial stability and career opportunities, Dubai as part of the UAE offers the greatest level of freedom to expats. You don't need your sponsor's approval to go on a vacation, and if you want you can leave for a 2-day trip on a weekend without the need to request your passport from the company because you are entitled to have it with you at all times. Trivial you might think. But if you live in Saudi or Qatar you will know what I mean.

7. Safety
This is not to say that Dubai is the safest place on earth, or that crimes don't happen in here. But if you are familiar with cosmopolitans, you will notice the difference in Dubai. Whether a male or a female, you will notice that you can walk almost anywhere in the city at three o'clock in the morning without fear of being attacked or hassled. You can leave your car running, apartment open, laptop bag on a chair in a coffee shop and you are sure that they will be untouched by the time you come back. This is in large due to the fact that UAE has a strict policy of deportation of criminals, as well as the fact that most residents are professionals who are benefiting from their presence in the city and they don't want to jeopardize that fact.

6. Freedom
Whether you are Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, atheist or a follower of any other religion in the world, you have the freedom to practice your religion. The city has several churches and Hindu temples. Christmas is celebrated in a similar fashion like Eid, and Diwali is equally as important. 


In Dubai you can choose to be conservative or a liberal. You can wear hijab and you can wear shorts. You can relax on the beach in your bikini, and you can set there dressed in a proper islamic costume. Alcohol is available in hotels, clubs and bars for those who drink. If you are a non-Muslim you can acquire a liquor license and have your own alcohol stock at home. The bottom line is, as long as you don't abuse it, and start getting crazy or intimate in the streets, no one will bother you. You do your own thing, as long as you are not publicly disrespecting the country's traditions and values. 

5. Luxury
Everything in Dubai was built to reflect a life of luxury. From hotels to malls. Streets to parks. Public transportation to cars. Everything is new and done neatly. You can drive an SUV while you'll be dreaming about it in Europe. You can own a Porsche, while you would only call it a DREAM car elsewhere. Even in the metro, you can have your gold section tickets and commute as if you are on board a world class airliner. 

4. Services and Facilities
If you are a European, you will know deep in your heart, even if you don't admit it, that Dubai provides a world class service in most aspects of life. All your bills and transactions can be done online. If you pay a handsome some of money for an apartment, you get your pool, Sauna, gym, security, facility management and parking with it. No compromises. Barring International City and Discovery Gardens, you always get value for your money. More so now that rents have went down to a more realistic and acceptable levels. 


Gas stations are malls. business buildings are fully equipped, and almost everybody have their delivery services. Dubai residents are spoiled to the point of laziness when it comes to services, and people love it. 

3. Activites
If you are an outdoor activities' fan then Dubai is the place to be. Walking, cycling, golfing, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, desert activities, fresh water activities and beach & sea activities. The facilities are available. You can always join a club or a community or do it on your own. 


skiing, ice skating and bird watching. When in the desert, you can take the pleasure of activities like camel safari and desert jeep safari.

You can enjoy the sea with activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, parasailing and deep sea fishing

Team Sports? No problem. Some popular outdoor games are ball games like football, Basketball, Volleyball and Rugby.

2. Events
One of the most interesting things about Dubai is that you always have a feeling that there is something going on. It's true that the buzz went down a little bit after the crisis, but this normal even if you go anywhere else in the world. 


Concerts and tournaments. Art galleries and plays. Fashion shows and exhibitions. The cultural agenda in Dubai is always full, and you can count on a dozen of big time events every year that will break you routine and give you a taste of how life is all over the world. In the past few month Nickelback and Sting were here. Soon David Guetta will play in Dubai, preceded by Kelly Rowland. Bands like The Killers, Coldplay, Scorpions performed in Dubai. The Dubai Movie festival is an annual event. Circus de Soleil is a regular fixture. Car, Technology, Healthcare, arts and architecture events take place all the time. In simple words, you will not be bored. 

1. Multicultural Taste
In a world destined to shrink further into a tiny village, Dubai has taken the lead in becoming the melting pot of different cultures from all over the world, and definitely the only place in the middle east that practically lives the global village dream. 


It's not abnormal to be sitting on a table with 10 people from 10 different culture and be able to call them friends. This unique experience helps you get out of your box. Learn to understand people in a different way that the one you were made to understand through TV and mainstream media. Dubai gives you the chance to meet people from different religions and social background, and serves as a bridge that helps people see beyond stereotypes. It's a given that through mingling with different cultures you create this panoramic view of life, and learn as you go about what matters and what doesn't. You become more adaptable to change. More flexible in dealing with the other. You learn about what's important to people and what they hold important to their heart and values, and this to me is the greatest thing about this city.

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

Christmas is early in Dubai

"I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.", Albert Einstein.

It's already Christmas in Dubai! After a couple of weeks of uncertainty, Dubai woke up today to a gift. 10 Billion Dollars is the amount that Abu Dhabi splashed to make sure that Dubai's troubled government-owned companies are safe.

In simple terms, this means that companies like Nakheel will be able to fulfill their commitment and pay back the banks. Is this a good news? Well, it depends on how you look at it. See, the alternative for Dubai would've been risking the City's reputation as a safe and reliable investment destination. Companies and individual investors would have been reluctant to come here and spend millions of dollars on investments.

So we established that this will help Dubai protect it's image. The question is; are there any strings attached to it?

Well, let's agree that no one gives free money. Definitely not 10 Billion dollars. It is highly probable that Abu Dhabi would like to have some stake in Dubai's thriving businesses; like Emirates Airlines or Dubai Ports, etc. It's also possible that Abu Dhabi wants to get a chunk of the Cherry that is Dubai's global image. Is it that bad? Absolutely not.

UAE is made of 7 small emirates, and it's certainly not bad that you have one Emirate helping the other. That's what a union is all about after all. Besides, if one city goes down it will drag the other one with it, and if one thrive it will pull the other up with it. So, if there were any strings, it will only make the bond between the two cities stronger and the residents whether locals or expats will definitely benefit from it.

This scenario becomes all the more favorable when you consider that other sources of funds/ strings can come from abroad. It was never a positive thing to have an external influence on your domestic policies or decisions. Whether help comes from USA, EU, Russia, China, KSA or any other source, that is an influence and a potential risk that UAE doesn't need.

So, Happy Eid and Merry Christmas to Dubai.

Dubai... A Middle Eastern Dream

As I grew up people dreamt about going to the US, the land of opportunities. Some wanted the UK, others wanted anything out of this stagnating region!

As I graduated there was a new destination. One that is unusually close, and easier to fit in. An Arab country. Somewhere we don't worry about being descriminated against or punished for who we are or what we believe in. People came from all corners of the world to experience it and live it. To be part of the boom and part of the phenomenon. This place is Dubai.

Unfortunately, the world is not fair. And while we always demand the best from governments and coutnries, we tend to crucify those who dream. Even if there dream worked for awhile. We rush and compete in bringing those who dream down. We point the fingers of blame and we open our mouths and we say: I KNEW IT!

I don't blame Europeans or North Americans. It just amazes me how middle easterners and specifically arabs feel so vendicated by what's going on now! What was it that you wanted? One more mundane place? Inorganized, flat, dirty, dull, Oil-dependant, aid-dependant & grey City? 

Dubai offered people an alternative for our corrupted countries and cities. A place to work and live in security and peace. A multi-cultural environment. A platform to meet people from other cultures in an unbiased condition. Prejudice free. Tax free. 

Everyone is allowed to dream, and everybody is encouraged to. nevertheless, we jump into the forefront and race to step on the the shoulders of a giant that fell down to accelerate its demise.

One question for, Egptians, Lebanese, Jordanians, Palestinians, Iranians, Indians, Filipinos, Australians and others; What is your alternative? What is your plan B?

Was Dubai perfect? Definitely not. Was everyone here happy and living the perfect life, absolutely not! But for many of us it was the perfect solution and the perfect alternative? Thousands of families lived on remittances from this country. Thousands of other families were built because of careers and expereicnes which would have been otherwise impossible. 

I still believe that it is not over. Maybe it will never be the same booming city it was before. There were mistakes and they will definitely need to be fixed, but that doesn't mean that the dream is dead.

It better still be alive. For everyone's sake! 

Miles Away.. Decades Behind!

Warning: No good vibes in this post. The main purpose for it is to bitch and moan about the subject matter. So, if you don't want to be put down, don't read it.

Now that you have been warned, my main reason for this post is basically to complain about an area that, for me, is major cause of distress and suffocation!

Sharjah!!



I stated in numerous occasions to my friends living in Sharjah that under no circumstance will I be going there for a visit or to spend some time. It was due to the rediculously screwed up traffic for the most part. But today reality hit me. The moment the skyline of Sharjah welcomed us and we dived into the hellish traffic of Sharjah I suddenly became depressed! It surprised me because five mintues ago as we were crossing Garhoud Bridge overlooking Festival City on the right, and Grand Hayyat on the left I was happy and dandy. It's amazing how this city changes my mood into one that is suitable of a grumpy old fart who lost his wife to cancer and was abandoned by his six kids.

The first thing that welcomes you into Sharjah is a chaotic skyline. Towers that seem to be stemming out of nowhere, so random that you find it hard to imagine what network might put them all together. inexplicable 10:00 pm traffic, and raodworks that you know damn well will not lead to any remedy. I can't imagine the meeting in which the "City Planners" have sat to come up with the grandest of plans to make this a metropolitan! They stuffed hundreds of thousands of people in a couple of square kilometers adjacent to Dubai to harvest as much as they can from those who can't afford a living in Dubai. No horizon, no air to breathe and countless number of small time shops adding to the overwhilming fuzzy atmosphere of this place.



It seems to me that Sharjah was builts to bring together the worst of Riyadh and Cairo. Mind you, I never went to Cairo, but it is my imagination that those rotting buildings standing for decades in the old and crushed district of Cairo can't be any worse. And since I was born in Riyadh I can say that they remind my of those concrete blocks gracing NOT the city! Lively? it sure is. But, you get the feeling that this city is a combination of Bat'ha in Riyadh, Al Balad in Amman and a refugee camp somewhere in Irbed!

A jungle of Concrete. This is exactly what it is. No parking, no traffic flow, no beautiful buildings, no grace whatsoever. Ironically, if you go and visit the Lake "a.k.a EL Buhaira" this article will be what you call a Phu Phuck Lai! A new level of lying.

But it's not. It really isn't. Apologies for all those who live in Sharjah, but I can't deny that the moment I step foot in that city I feel like I need a session with Dr. Phil!!

Can you imagine the desparation!!

Gothic Dubai!

I have seen a lot curious stuff in this city. Dubai strived to bring together everything New York, London and Paris stood for. However, it tried to retain its oriental feel, and I doubt that it succeeded.

Recently, Dubai has experienced a drastic change in the way it looks and feels. Less traffic, less glamour, prices going down, promotions on practically everything! Hell even Lexus is running promotions nowadays, and RAIN!! It's crazy. It's been raining in Dubai practically every other day for the past two weeks. This never happened for as long as I've been here, and certainly not in late March. Reports say that the country hasn't experienced that kind of rain for the past 15 years, and my experience during Coldplay concert confirms it.

Now to share with you the latest twist in the atmosphere here in Dubai, take a look at these photos! It feels like a mediveal european castle where Count Dracula lived. Actually it feels like Mount Doom from Lord of The Rings! How do you think those who invested in this building see these images? A sign? That there investments have been struck by a natural "or not so natural" disastor?







I personally think it was beautiful.

Coldplay STORM Abu Dhabi!!

One of the most interesting things that one can do in his/her life would be to do something you know you'd enjoy after a long wait. Now, doing that in one of the most awkward and unlikely circumstances adds that edge to it and makes it even more wonderful!

Coldplay, which in my opinion is one of the best rock bands ever were in Abu Dhabi last weekend. This band is one who successfully built I unique sound for themselves and produced some songs that became anthems like Yellow and Fix you! And no, these are not the sugar-coated anthems you think about. So in case you were one of those who had the pleasure of watching Coldplay live you'll know what I mean!

Chris Martin has this unique ability of acting dorky in an adorable way! The guy connects with his crowd in an effortless fashion! Certainly he was helped by how great their songs are and how genuine their fans are! I actually attended an Akon concert here in Dubai and I don't remember a single song he did! I was enjoying the crowd, my group, and that dance floor hanging from a 15-storey crane! But with Colplay everything felt right! Their music, Chris Martin's antiques, the beautiful lighting system and the huge crowd! 15,000, Gulfnews reported the next day!




Now, imagine this coupled with thunder storms and amazonic rain!! in freaking UAE!! It's almost poetic! I remember I was soaking wet, and I looked like an idiot but I loved every minute of it! Chris asked the crowd to stick around in spite of the rain, but I really don't think he needed to! The only people who might have thought of running away were those sitting in the VIP section, because the rain ruined their dream of a Ragheb Alama like concert with people rounding dinner tables and a cheesy Haifa giving her butt to the crowd!

One funny thing though was that Chris thought that the crowd would be insulted because he couldn't speak arabic! Little did he know, which was a bit awkward, that more than half the crowd was made of non-arabs! Still he threw around some words like Shukran, ma alsalama, ahlan wa sahlan and key-fuck!!

To their credit, Mercury Rev, the opening act did a good job as well. Their music took time to be digested by my ears but I can't say they were bad. Their lead singer, however, needs to be told that if he is planning to act dorky, he better be as famous and successful as Chris Martin to get away with it! Also, that flying eagle thingy he did, or whatever you want to call it, was not cute! But hey, what do I know?! In few years time they'll probably produce a masterpiece and after that no matter how idiotic they will look, it will still look coool.

All in all it was an unforgettable night, and probably a once in a lifetime experience! Next concert should be Matchbox Twenty or U2

World's Friendliest Countries

A couple of months ago David Sutton wrote for Forbes.com a very interesting story about the world’s friendliest countries, when I saw the title the first country that came in my mind was the UAE represented Dubai, but after reading the conditions that make the country friendly in their views I thought no way the UAE or any GCC country can win this, below are some parts of the article;

“The country that once welcomed the tired, poor, huddled masses is now asking for a little reciprocation. And Canada, Germany and Australia are heeding the call.
They top a list of the countries most welcoming to expats. There, relocators have a relatively easy time befriending locals, joining a local community group and learning the local language.”

By reading the above lines, it becomes easy to anyone to figure out why the GCC countries can’t be the friendliest, becoming friends with the locals?? It’s really not that easy!

And we continue;

“Canada is the most welcoming; almost 95% of respondents to HSBC Bank International's Expat Explorer Survey, released today, said they have made friends with locals. In Germany, 92% were so lucky and in Australia 91% befriended those living there. The United Arab Emirates was found to be the most difficult for expats; only 54% of those surveyed said they'd made friends with locals.”

There were some talks about China and India in this article but I don’t care about it that why I will stop quoting here.

Now in the writer’s and survey’s point of view, you should go to one of the top three if you are considering relocating, and try not to go to the UAE or India or China, in my point of view he is totally wrong, and this survey just shows how willing the expats to melt into the local communities and not how hard the local community accepts them as part of it.

The country can be friendly is you can live freely, live the life you’ve had back home, or at least something close to that, and from my experience with a lot of western expats, they all said the same exact words “everyone wants to come to Dubai” “not just for the money”, as they told me that the money is one of the top priorities, but the most important reason is that they feel SAFE more than in their home lands, not as free, but free enough.

That is a friendly country….

For the full article please visit http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/09/relocate-world-countries-employment08-forbeslife-cx_ds_1210friendly.html

Dubai & The Financial Crisis

All around the world countries have been hit badly by the financial crisis. People being laid off, companies going bust and houses stand empty like ghost houses from a Hollywood movie. Occasionally, you hear a comment here and there, about Ford, Lehmann Brothers, even Iceland. Not to mention the overwhelming amount of news you get fed daily about the effect of the crisis on the United States, which sometimes gives me the feeling that I’m actually living in an American State! Although it is probably safe to say that this feeling is not totally imaginary. On the other hand, for some reason you can feel that everyone have something to say about Dubai. They are all pundits and experts, and have the sight and the wisdom needed if they were asked to steer the city in the right direction.                                                                                                                                                                                

I can understand some of those people. It’s competition. Europe, Canada & The US started losing people to this city. Not those fat asses and useless people we used to get in the Gulf in the past, but actually people with skills, who can contribute to the place. Companies started coming here and sitting up headquarters, factories and logistic centers, as they realized that this is where growth is happening, or at least this is the closest point to where it’s happening. However, the part that I don’t understand, is how some of the city’s neighbors sound so wise and all knowing now. Everybody is cursing the boom, and everyone had anticipated at one point of time that this city is going back to the ground. Sand as it was once before. My question to those is, what is your alternative for Dubai? And if this city is going to go down, where else are you going to find a place that pays you that much and offers you this lifestyle!? Saudi? Kuwait? Oman? Jordan? Lebanon? Egypt? Or maybe the right choice is Qatar! A place where Jordanians and Egyptians are currently denied visas. A place where you still need the permission of your sponsor to go back home for a vacation!

Everyone now is critical of what Dubai did. I remember six months ago everyone was in owe, and many where envious! Now, they are like hyenas waiting to quench their thirst! Not with their success god forbids! But with the anticipated failure of others!                                                                                                                                                                                

For the good of everyone, this city should not go down. Because if it did, we will all go back to working as slaves in KSA, Kuwait & Qatar! Begging our sponsors for a holiday to spend at home. Suffering every time we want to change jobs. Living like prisoners in our homes because we don’t feel the freedom and the security we used to feel in Dubai!

But if you think about it for a while you realize that this city is not going back to the dark ages! It has the infrastructure needed for a business hub, and for a tourists’ destination. It might and actually did slow down, but as everything else, nothing lasts forever. That is why it was called a boom. They will have to adjust. The correction will take its course and things will and should pick up again. At that point of time, if any multinational thinks of establishing headquarter here, or focus on this market they will do it from Dubai. Simply because there is no other option! You may search for it as much as you want, but other than Dubai & Abu Dhabi, and I think they will do themselves a favor if they actually start giving those who lived here for 10 years or more passports or permanent visas “Something similar to a green card” because on the long run people will need more reasons to stay other than work!                                                                                                                                                                                      

I don’t see where else it can happen. Qatar? Well, maybe. But they need to start treating expats as humans more.                               

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It's all Christmassy in Dubai!!

In a world struck by a financial crisis, hunger, famine, war, and environmental decay it's nice to celebrate an occassion even if you don't directly relate to it!!

But then again, Christmas is like Eid. It's all about family, feeling blessed, giving gifts and receiving some if you are lucky! Never forgetting of course that during these occassions you can't fly anywhere unless you've made your booking a year ago!

In Dubai, Christmas is special! It is so because Dubai is, by definition, a Muslim city! Granted that 90% are expats, but the fact that Dubai like all other Gulf cities and states makes sure none of those lives the crazy dream of being a national, makes the freedom they have here exceptional!!

There is no census that gives you a breakdown of population by religion here, but you definitely can not call Muslims a minority here. Despite all of that, Christmas is being celebrated, and given so much attention that you can not find a single shoppiing mall that doesn't sport a HUGE and sparkling Christmas tree. It gives you a warm feeling. It makes "Merry Christmas" that you say to your Christian friends more meaningful.




Finally, I think the past couple of years, and the coming couple of years should be the perfect time to bring us together. December has been and will continue to be in few years to come a festive season for everyone! Starts with Eid Al Adha, then Christmas, then Islamic new year, and the The New Year!! You can hardly get any work done during this period, but it would be wonderful to see different people greeting each other, and wishing each other a blessed Eid or Christmas. Making new year's resolutions together, and exchanging gifts! Dubai is being underestimated and reduced into a wannabe business hub and a shopping destination! I personally think that it can do a great job breaking down the barriers and bridging the gaps! Make people see beyond the haze! Beyond Fox & Sky. Beyond Bush & Bin Lden.









MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

Dubai: Moment of Truth!

Our fears have been confirmed. Now, even after using all our senses and twisted logical methods we couldn't mask the truth. Dubai now, is officially affected as every other part of the world by the Credit Crunch!

Nakheel, a government-owned developer, and one of the most innovative and daring real estate developers has decided to cut its workforce by 15%. 500 employees were told today that their services are no longer required. Now, what you decided to make of that is your choice, but I for one, will hold dearly to my job! I think the days of job-jumping and double digit salary hikes are over. It will be interesting to see how the government will go about applying the planned VAT tax, and their initial promise of introducing it at a low rate of 2.5%.

The matter of the fact is that Dubai is not going to collapse. Simply because the economy here is diversified. But the question will be, how capable is the city of showing the rate of growth it showed up till now in the future?! Another interesting question is how strong will the Domino effect be?! Nakheel, Damac and the rest of real estate companies in Dubai offered some of the best paying jobs in the country. Along with that comes a strong purchasing power, so how will those who found themselves suddenly with no jobs react to the situation in term of spending, and how will that affect all the consumer-driven businesses in the country? It is wise to assume that a lot of people will be watching their bills from now on, and unnecessary and lavish spending practices will be re-visited.

What will be the next step? I think we have to sit and watch!

Dubai protects its Real Estate boom during crisis

To react to the ongoing global financial crisis, Dubai has introduced new regulations to protect one of the segments that led the way in Dubai's financial growth.

During the past few days a couple of events that took place in Dubai gave the indication that the bubble everyone was talking about is about to burst. Damac letting go 200 employees, stories about Nakheel putting a hold on 7 major projects, stocks of major real estate companies nose diving in the stock market. All of that added to a rumor that prices have went down 4% since September!!

To counter this fear factor new regulations have been introduced to boost investors' confidence in Dubai's real estate market. Some of these new regulations include: Power vested in developers to issue residence visas for investors at the point of sale, which is obviously an important boost to the invstors' confidence given that Dubai is the only place in the world that offers such option. An important ammendment is the assurances that ivestors will get by registering every deal in Dubai Land Department which guarrantees to those investors that shady deals and properties that used to be planned and advertised and then put on hold after the first payment is history. Other rules regarding mortgage and freehold further boost confidence.

All that will be put to test in the coming few months, and everyone will be watching how Dubai will react to this global crisis! Questions will be asked about how diversified Dubai's economy is, and how this will help protect its growth.

Fingers crossed.

Dubai in the eye of the storm

I woke up late today and was extremely annoyed by the fact that I wasted 4-5 good hours because of my laziness! And so, adamant on not wasting more I jumped into my jeans and left home in a rush. The outside world welcomed me with nice breeze, and I thought this is going be a good day! At least what is left of it.

As it turned out, that breeze was merely a strained gesture of hospitality from the city, because as I got into the car, I felt like I was put in a time machine and airborned to kuwaiti desert with sands attacking me from all directions! I gazed at the sky with a frown, and there were armies of black clouds masking the sun! I thought to myself, this doesn't look like dubai at all! And the sentence was vindicated by the absence of Burj Dubai from the horizon! Eclipsed by the sand crunch! This is not good for those beach goers!

However, for some reason my mind almost immediately fetched another crunch from my memories' database. I have to say that this word wasn't so popular with me, and I barely remember using it. The Credit Crunch Effect on Dubai feels almost similar to that of the sand storm! Sudden, unexpected, and without a timetable or a set of actions on the agenda! Just chaotic. More importantly both of them are creepy. Although an expact, you can not help but to be afraid that something wrong is going to happen for this city. A lot of things have been eclipsed, but there is nothing to confirm it. Recently, a company CAME OUT!. Yes, I'm using the same term because it is a similar TABOO! Damac fired 200 employees! And this is the first bite. Some rumors are circulating about Nakheel doing the same.

Dubai is a wonderful city, no matter our complains about traffic and prices and artificiality! Seriously, what did egyptians get from Cairo's authenticity?? The matter of the fact is that this city offers endless opportunities and experiences to its residents. Granted, it's not perfect. But so is every other city.

I expect other developers like Nakheel and Emaar to follow suit and start downsizing. We'll feel the heat for awhile. But I have a feeling this city is going to bounce back again. We will see the benefits of the diversified economy.

Who knows, maybe all of this is gentle reminder for Dubai that she needs to take it easy, and give herself time to grow. Afterall, God created Heaven and Earth in seven days.

Atlantis of Dubai

Not like the ones you see in ads!!! But these are from a real experience!! Beautiful place. Just beautiful

Dubai - Vertical city 2.4 km high

I've been trying for 2 days to find the right words to describe this project, or just say anything about it, seriously anything, i just couldn't, but then i remembered the saying "1 picture is worth a 1000 words" so here's what i'm going to say....

No further comments.....

.... Thursday!!

25,000 people lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers, some 40 of those are based here in Dubai, in the DIFX!! Their office was operational only for a short period, before the doors were locked and visitors were not allowed in. It seems like the current crisis is causing a premature climax & END OF THE STORY!

Interestingly enough those 40+ will not be asked to leave the country, as other unemployed exapts are! They will be given financial assistance, and their kids tuition fees will be covered by the government!!! Some big financial institutions have started interviewing them, and some already joined other companies!

And you people say that traders have no heart!! This is so sweet of them!... Is oprah Involved in this?

OR, are they that desparate to keep people pouring in?! Especially after what has been said about 90% of foreign funds being pulled out of UAE!

This last piece of information I heard from someone, and I need to verify!!

Ramadan experience, Dubai Style!! Episode II

In a country where nationals constitute more than 80% of the population, ramadan experience is nothing new! I mean, every couple of years a new fashion pops up, and everyone starts following the trend.

In Jordan for example, everybody goes through ramadan with almost the same set of habits. And since this post is not about Jordan, I will not go through the details.

But here in Dubai, where 92% of the population are expats! Where Arabs are a minority, and Muslims are a small majority (if this expression is actually correct, & if they actually make up more than 50% of Dubai's population, which I doubt) Ramadan can be very different.

I spoke in a previous post about how my ramadan experience was different in Saudi from that one in Jordan, from this one in Dubai. But how do other people - other nationalities, non-muslims - actually react to the event?

From my experience, and considering the conversations I had with the above mentioned segment, and from my real life encouters with people, I will try to describe how major nationalities handle it.

British & Australians: (Generally an Elite group in the society): They deal with it very conservatively. Probably won't greet you on the first day fearing that this will start a sequence of events leading to them having to be more considerate during the month. They act as if nothing happened. Some of them though, would complain! about restaurants being closed, and females will complain about having to dress modestly!! As if they actually do. Nevertheless, they will cut down on eating in public.

Americans: (Also, a super Elite group in the society): Well, how can you put this?... They are totally disconnected. This is the way they are even during other months! I think they have some kind of paranoia that people are out there to get them! Courtesy of their government's efforts to make the US the most friendly country on earth!!... However, they will generally greet you, and you will rarely see them eating in public.

South Africans: (British wannabe's) Complain more than those they claim to be like.

Other Europeans: (Also Elite) Generally more polite & considerate. They will greet you, and try to enjoy the atmosphere with you. You'll see them in Iftar buffets & smoking Shisha in coffee shops after iftar!! Credit goes to us for making them think this is actually one of the month's customs!! They'll apologize if you saw them eating in the office!! which is usually permitted. They ask so many questions about the spiritual importance of the month! And sadly, a lot of us screw up the answer, and we end up giving the impression that the month is a bunch of silly customs which usually mean nothing.

Filippinos: (From all levels of society) I usually call them the HAPPY PEOPLE. They are fund of dancing, singing, partying, taking pictures & meeting other people (Other than filippinos). As a result, they are very polite, considerate, they also try to share the spirit, and one office mate of mine actually fasts just like us!! They also ask a lot about the spiritual significance of the month.

Indians: (From all levels of society) Generally speaking, indians operate within a very small wavelength! Meaning, it is extremely rare that you'll meet an indian who will have abrupt changes in his lifestyle or reaction to events!! Very systematic. As a result, nothing changes. They stay the same. However, they are still considerate and polite.

Non-muslim arabs: (From all levels of society) Generally speaking, they are the least considerate and polite people during the month!! Which actually comes as a surprise!

The thing is that in jordan many of my best friends are christians, and they were very polite, very considerate & extremely well mannered! In a car, my christian friend would be the one to turn music down when the call for prayer is on! But here, and I hope I'm unfairly generalizing, they eat, drink, & dress like nothing happened! In fact, In the office - during other months of the year - I rarely see any of them eating on their desks!! Now, they all do it!! every single day! Despite the fact that the food court downstairs is working with full capacity!!.

It begs the question; is there a reason why this observation is so prevelant???

Having said all that, I think the muslim population is to blame for whatever misconception other people have regarding Ramadan. We are killing the spirit of the month, and we take the blame for the results.

Salik, The Immaculate RIP OFF!

The human mind has always been the most powerful tool in the universe. It's ability to invent & re-invent is the reason why I'm sitting in front of what is called a laptop, clicking on what is called a keyboard, to upload my thoughts on what is called a blog!

However, throughout history, this mind has been used to come up with tricks and schemes to disguise evil plots!!
....
New two Salik gates have been installed on the streets of Dubai! You know, since the last two worked perfectly, two more will kiss traffic jams goodbye!

It used to take me 60 minutes to drive home from work (26 km), after the first Salik gates were installed It was reduced to 55 minutes. And so, as you can see, I'm totally convinced that two more Salik gates will probably give me 5 precious minutes more!! for 4 AED!

I'll pay 480 AED/month for 300 minutes/month!! ...

Talk about value for money!

Dubai will make in excess of USD 240,000,000/ year out of this!

Talk about ideas for money!

....

On a different level, Jordan is sending experts to UAE to help them in setting up a system for Tax collection, as UAE is planning to introduce a VAT tax starting 2009! I just hope that as part of the mutual cooperation UAE don't send experts from RTA (Road & Transport Authority) to Jordan!! Beacuse our government will LOVE IT!!

Ramadan experience, Dubai Style!

In Saudi, People prayed, read Quran, went to the mosque.. and kids used to play in the street until the dawn prayer.

In Jordan, people prayed less, read Quran, Got excessively angry, went to Ramadani tents.. and kids tortured everyone with their fire crackers!

In Dubai, A female colleague of mine offered me a donut today in the office!!... in the streets, girls are still competing who is wearing the skimpiest skirt... and kids!! .... Well, I still can't get over the donut incident!

It's so hard to fast in this country! The only thing different in Ramadan is that coffee shops are over populated, because it's a dry night every night through out the month, and bars are closed!

Funny how manners have sunk to record depths!!

As weird as it may sound, I miss Saudi!

Atlantis On Fire!!

This is not Atlantis of Plato!! It's Atlantis of Dubai. The new resort scheduled to be open to public by end of September 2008!







It was built to resemble the mythical beauty and greatness of the civilization of Atlantis, which ended by some kind of a one-day destruction scheme!.

But our guys here in Dubai got a little bit confused, they started the other way around. See, Atlantis the civilization prospored and then was destroyed, but here they started the other way around! The damn thing caught fire! According to Gulfnews, and you can follow that by clicking the link, the building caught fire today at 7:02 am. I work few kilometers away and couldn't see it.

This place is going to be extra cool! It is supposed to be open on September 24, and I'm seriouslt thinking of enjoying my Eid holiday there! So, they better fix everything on time!


Something I also find very interesting, is that there were 9 major fires in Dubai between March 23rd and September 2nd! This was not the case in 2007! You know what, I think their construction works' pace is finally taking its toll on them!


Awaiting Atlantis, and the Eid Holidays!