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Looking at the "Bright Side" of Dubai
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 9 April 2009Posted on Friday, 8 May 2009
The Independent's article was a piece of racist trash
Posted by Suhail Shafi at 06:10 UAE time
I urge everyone on this forum to read the Independent article on Dubai - if only to realize what kind of a hateful racist diatribe it was.
The article was high on hyperbole and selective interviews, incredibly short on hard facts and constructive criticism
I think it suffices to say that some of the most determined criticism against the article comes from Western expats in Dubai itself. I think that there are so many Westerners living and working in the city speaks for itself, and does that fact that so many are willing to defend the city, as did a certain Keith Prosser, a UK expat in the city who wrote an article to the Independent in response to its hatchet piece.
Let us bring the handful of articles attacking Dubai into some perspective. A quarter of a million Brits vacation in Dubai each year, close to a hundred thousand live there. This means the city has something to offer that many people enjoy, the number of whom far outnumbers sensationalistic British journalists who print hateful attacks on everyone under the sun for a living.
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Posted on Monday, 27 April 2009
What a Joke?
Posted by Ek Bechara at 17:06 UAE time
"I didn’t say that Emiratis are the most tolerant people in the world without grounds; I can’t imagine Britain having 55 million expats and only five million Brits"
Above made me roll on the floor laughing, of course it cannot be possible as after 5 years of stay in UK even expats become UK citizen and are considered as British, so whoever from other country become citizen of UK he/she is no more expat for UK but one of their own people. Whereas in UAE despite continous stay of 20 years we are still expats because we dont become citizen here.
This is the only country which preserves you till your all limbs are intact, may god forbid if you meet with an accident and proves useless for this country, as an expat you have no choice but to go back to your own country.
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Posted on Saturday, 18 April 2009
Dubai is the dream...
Posted by Duo Maxwell at 14:12 UAE time
In the Arab world, that is. Surely you have noticed by now that all who have commented so far and so vehemently do so under the comfort of their own homes and most probably don't work in the service, medical and engineering sectors. I did not come to Dubai as a tourist so this allowed me to see the what's behind the smoke and mirrors. Yes, the UAE is superior to almost all Arab countries in terms of economic power, but culturally and politically it is still lacking, as even Mr. Sultan would discreetly admit. All blue-collar Asians working there are treated as second-class citizens, with no hope of owning homes or become citizens of the UAE. To Aarkay I say, the Emiratis should be proud of their progress achieved in so short a time, but please do give credit to the expats working there. It would be a safe bet that if all Filipinos, Indians, Pakistanis, etc. would leave the UAE, its economy will be ruined.
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Posted on Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Where?
Posted by Kristiina Mayra at 23:35 UAE time
WHERE is a country that allows person to take a huge loans and then just hug them and let them walk away? - I do not know any!
WHERE are those hundreds of expats sleeping in their car at the airport, parking places OR on the desert dunes? - I have not seen them!
The Canadian Lady was ready to sacrifice so much that she was ready to quit drinking and were black when coming to Dubai with her husband. - WHERE is that promise... I felt she was still drunk when interviewed IF that person is real at all?
She told HOW she and her husband were just partying all days long? - We others are working in Dubai!
I just wonder if all of the interviewed expat (including Mr. Hari) were too high or drunk - unable to separate the real life from fiction OR maybe even the persons interviewed were fiction?
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Posted on Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Transparency
Posted by Bryan Connor at 07:17 UAE time
A nation cannot pride itself on its achievements unless and until it graciously acknowledges its flaws and remedies them. Skyscrapers never symbolized success......... The more Dubai is antagonistic and hostile to transparency, the more it will lose global credibility all over the four corners of the world.
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Posted on Monday, 13 April 2009
Eye Opener
Posted by Ganesh Narayanan at 18:47 UAE time
The article was an eye opener and very credible despite all the unwarranted hue and cry from some fawning people. Hasnt this global recession taught us all that no nation is invincible???
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The Beautiful side of Dubai
Posted by AARKAY at 14:00 UAE time
I cannot understand people whose report begins with a "dark" side. Reporters should report facts and let the reader make their own judgements.
DUBAI IS STILL ONE OF THE EASIEST AND MOST FRIENDLY CITIES TO LIVE IN. Its true that there are some unfortunate people who live in poor conditions but that is the fate of many in other countries including the so called"perfect" countries.
I am a long time Indian expatriate living in Dubai and I have also traveled to all parts of the world. I still like to return back to DUBAI and it feels like 'home'. I also consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy this beautiful, friendly city without having to face corrupt people everywhere and without having to pay taxes.
I think that the Emiratis and their leaders deserve a lot of credit for having created this society where so many non Emiratis enjoy such a wonderful life and have been doing so for so long.. God Bless this country and its leaders...
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Western Views of Eastern Promise
Posted by Abu Ali at 13:17 UAE time
This tone of voice that Western journalists take when writing about the Arab and Islamic world, but particularly about Dubai, has become hackneyed and hollow. Orientophobists, I will call them. Underlying these negative opinions is the racist notion of the undeserved wealth of the Arabs. The barage of assaults on contemporary Dubai centers around human rights, trafficing, free speech. It is important to note that all G7 countries achieved their major development during and in the wake of colonizing the world where little human rights or free speech were evident. Not that I condone such a behaviour, but those who practiced it can't be its critics.
Another example of this tone of writing is Sharon Waxman's article in the February 2009 Issue of ArtNews; "An Oasis in the Desert". Instead of contemplating the massive art deal between Abu Dhabi and the Louvre and the Guggenheim, She dwells on the same issues that Hari does in his article. It is remarkable that this criticism should come form citizens of nations whose museums have been filled to capacity with loot from other nation's art.
These articles are yet another lesson in the futility of Arab nations' incessent seeking the West's admiration.
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Lets come out of negation
Posted by Syed Mehdi at 12:17 UAE time
I understand the problems Dubai is facing right now in terms of articles/stories.
I can tell you that everyone has un-exhausted tolerence if busy in his/her work and earning money. But, as soon its going to slow down, the tolernece level also goes down with it.
On the other part Dubai can not recover if it presistently negating the reality of life. I believe they are still in a denial phase of admitting all problems that may have entered their room or kncoking on the door. I can not react to any situation if I don't admit that I have a situation.
Please accept this reality and take bold/concrete steps to recover rather than thrashing out at everything.
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Bright side of Dubai
Posted by Raj at 10:32 UAE time
Having worked in UK and Dubai I still feel Dubai will recover sooner than UK. In regard to Dark side of Dubai by J Hari I do not agree with him at all. I would say the bright side of Dubai is better future for our coming generation. It is easy to make comments but the fact is what would happen in UK if people who receive Social funds, suddenly stop getting these benefits ? The problem is worldwide and in my vew Dubai will recover within next 12 months. UAE goverment is doing their best and I hope the situation will be normal soon.
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TRUE BUT EXAGGERATED
Posted by rss at 08:39 UAE time
I DO ALSO DISAGREE WITH THE COMMENTS OF Mr HARI BUT WE ALL HAVE TO DO A DEPTH INTROSPECATION OF OURSELVES THAT WHY SOMEONE OUTSIDER HAS TO WRITE SUCH NEGATIVE ARTICLES ABOUT DUBAI BECAUSE THERE IS SOMEWHERE SOMETHING WRONG AND MAJOR REASON IS THE GREADINESS,UNFAIRNESS,WHEN PRICES OF FOOD STUFFS INCRASE BY FEW DHS.THERE IS TOO MUCH HUE & CRY BY OFFICIALS BUT WHEN GREEDY LANDLORDS INCREASE RENT IN THOUASND THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO DEMAND & SUPPLY PHILOSOPHY.
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Bright side of Dubai
Posted by lakshman Dalpadado at 06:30 UAE time
The purpose of Mr. Hari article was to show ' The Dark Side of Dubai' and he has done exactly that. The article was more about people living in Dubai than Dubai it self. Judging by the deluge of ' hate mail' , he has scored a bull eye.
There is no country that could be called ideal, but a few places like Sweden come close. Each one has advantages and disadvantages.
It all depends on ones preferences. People who like earning a lot of money and likes the so called luxury life style will like Dubai. If you are the kind of person looking at the ' Carbon footprints' or likes equality and human dignity, then Dubai would be the last on your shopping list.
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Posted on Sunday, 12 April 2009
Agreed, but let's agree that there is always room for improvement
Posted by Mark at 22:13 UAE time
Many Westerners who look at Dubai forget that it is a work in progress, and that it has advanced by huge leaps unmatched in human history. They forget how long it took that West to deal with many of its problems.
Having said that, it is important to keep in mind that there is always room for improvement. Dubai's (and the UAE's) residency policies can be changed to bring more benefits to the UAE and to its foreign residents.
Mr. Hari was indeed unbalanced in his views. However, we have a saying in the US that goes: "If life hand you a lemon, make lemonade." This can be viewed as an opportunity to make improvement.
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Johann Hari's Dark Side of Dubai Article
Posted by Coco at 19:43 UAE time
Fourteen years ago a friend in Dubai quoted the following to me: Consider the source!! More and more I apply this in every day life and doubly so in Hari's case. One positive out of this: The Independent readership has soared out of everyone's curiosity about this inaccurate account of Dubai.
Having run a check on Johann Hari and discoverd the listing of his 'public disgreements' I am convinced that his prime role in life is: controversy. I am of the belief that Johann Hari thrives on acrimony.
It is not surprising that he had a brief spell in Dubai to lift up the rocks to find maggots. In any walk of life you will find disgruntled people and with the world recession, he could have gone all the way to God's Heaven and found fault.
After forty years in Dubai and with no servant, no credit cards, no nightly/weekly/monthly parties, I hope my little contirubution is allowed to reach the common man, woman and child and reassure them that Dubai has provided a livelihood for people from all walks of life for decades and will continue to do so.
Many students who left for universities all over the world have returned to 'give back something' to the country!!!! These are young adults who have spent 4 - 5 years out of Dubai - returning for holidays at Easter, summer and Xmastime but choosing Dubai to earn a living and branching out in their own adult lives..... Can it be that bad!!!????
Of course the construction workers have a difficult life – they are contracted workers for CONSTRUCTION – they are not brought out here on an all-expenses paid vacation!!!! There are no ‘hole-in-the-ground’ latrines unless the workers themselves choose to ‘construct’ that which they are accustomed to.
A Canadian woman living in her car? How inaccurate!!!! Hari talked about the sweltering heat…..these past few months have been the coldest in the UAE for decades and Asians have been buying warm clothing to ward off the cold.
The picture of a ‘crowded’ room showed a refrigerator much larger than any I have seen in a normal British home…. How can they have a refrigerator if they have no electricity and if Hari reported that they are so pressed for space why have such a large refrigerator – to store what????? Oh, I think they actually use it as a chiller for the room!!! How ingenuous!!!!
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Yet another speculator
Posted by Imtiaz Muslim at 16:41 UAE time
Mr. Hari writes a highly cynical and exaggerated article about what he sees (or wishes to see) Dubai as. Perhaps a bit too in love with his own words and hand-picking ex-pats who have made dire mistakes and are looking for someone/thing else to blame; well why not use Dubai as a scapegoat? Especially while we are facing these testing times.
Mr. Hari mentions a number of 'Dubai Victims' and though their situations sound very hard to believe, for the sake of humanity my heart goes out to them. However, by no means are they "Dubai's dirty little secret" or "The Dark Side of Dubai"; they are individuals who got stuck in a situation because of their own obliviousness, bad luck, and dare I say maybe even ignorance.
Mr. Hari, for every Karen Andrews you throw at me, I shall retort with 5 Imtiaz Muslims who have called Dubai home for years and have found a secure, safe, and content life.
For every Sahinal Monir you name, I will revert with a greater number of Basheer Awans who work in a prominent Dubai based maintenance company and have finally gathered enough money to be able to purchase land for their families in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Throwing baseless and hallow figures just to spice your article up are the acts of a man with little integrity, a sell out even. While it is true, we are a young nation (as you, Mr. Hari, state "only a few decades old"), but a nation that has accomplished so much in such a brief time span.
Rome wasn't built in a day, Dubai was.
Thank you for your overview sir, but we'll take it from here.
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