In defense of Dubai

Congratulations to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai, for his robust defense of Dubai in an interview. He has been most reassuring. He should have spoken out much earlier, for a well informed stance by the leadership can restore investor confidence.

The key issues for which Dubai is lambasted are: Recession, workers’ living conditions, status of Indians, mall culture and lack of democratic freedom. The sense of indignation at the spate of articles criticizing Dubai is understandable. However, a sense of perspective is necessary.

The fact is that Dubai is a modern marvel, with excellent civic facilities and infrastructure. Its progress in 30 years testifies to the vision and the management skills of the city’s leadership, principally Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad. It requires brilliant managerial skills and hard labor to build a multicultural city in three decades. However, when there is sizzling, rapid growth and achievement, there are always gaps, which need addressing.

The recession is an international phenomenon. Dubai cannot be blamed for it. True, Dubai was overleveraged. With a GDP of $80 billion, its debt is $80 billion. The US’ GDP is around $13.84 trillion, and its debt $11.18 trillion. So Dubai, alone, is not overleveraged. And, Dubai’s debts are due to infrastructure expansion, not consumption, as in the US. Perhaps, more time and help should have been given to those citizens, who could not meet their financial commitments due to sudden recession.

Workers’ living conditions do need urgent addressing. How they live or lived in their home countries is irrelevant. If Dubai boasts of a First World infrastructure, it should be reflected in how workers live, work.

Those who resent the Indian presence in Dubai should remember Indians worked in Dubai before it commenced its modernization march, and the Indian “rupee”, was a key local currency.

The criticism about omnipresent malls is superficial. Dubai has positioned itself as a retail destination. The city is a massive mall, by itself. This is a conscious economic decision. However, the time has come for UAE/Dubai to diversify into industry and services. Dubai needs more factories, industries, and mills.

Rajendra K. Aneja, Dubai published 21 April 2009

Abdullah’s vision

King Abdullah is the man who initiated the interfaith dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims. He brought together Muslim and non-Muslim nations to dispel the misconceptions about Islam. He argued for the Muslim nation to speak with one voice against the enemies of Islam. The dialogue which focuses on the common denominators that unite faiths and constitute the essence of religion was initiated by Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam and land of the Two Holy Mosques, and by a king who believes in dialogue, culture, communication and peace.

King Abdullah deserves no less than a Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 for initiating a constructive dialogue between the world’s religions that allow people and nations to rediscover their shared ideals, defeat evil and provide mankind with a just, secure and prosperous future.

Therefore, I request all the readers to vote for King Abdullah because his exceptional work deserves no less than a Nobel.

Syed Zaki Ahmed, Riyadh published 21 April 2009

Aussies and racism

Australia pulling out of the racism summit does not look good, even if it is used as a platform to criticize Israel. An openly “Jewish” state has a case to answer for being racist. It’s not that different from a white Australia policy — an openly racist policy that Australians have rejected.

Peter Vervoorn, Woodside SA published 21 April 2009

Why ‘black day’?

This refers to Masood Khan’s letter, “Pakistan’s black day” (April 19). Can he explain why a government can’t implement a law if it is according to the will of the people, does not harm the people of other areas and is not contradictory to Islamic system. If there is something that violates Islamic teachings, it can be discussed and changes brought about. Critics find no grounds for opposing this law so they link it to Taleban. This law had been in force in Swat before the term “Taleban” was in vogue and later it was replaced by civil law and people had been eagerly demanding revival of the old law. In fact, the Islamic legal system should be implemented in all parts of Pakistan to prevent the impression of parallel courts. The relevant question should be why the Islamic system should not be implemented in a country that was created in the name of Islam. So the decision of the government should be appreciated. At least peace has been restored in Swat because of this law.

Riaz Ahmed Khan, Riyadh published 21 April 2009

Obama in Turkey

An Arab proverb says, “Traveling offers you seven benefits.”

President Obama is said to have been taken aback when he set foot on the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

This exquisite mosque with its state-of-the-art facilities (huge lamps, interior decoration and expansive floor-to-floor carpet among other things) is one of the World Heritage sites and Istanbul is nothing without this mosque.

Indeed Obama must have gained deep historical insight when he toured this magnificent mosque-turned-museum.

Though a secular democratic state, Turkey is 99 percent Muslim. This is a land suffused with Islamic culture and civilization. Of course, nobody will gain an insight into the culture and heritage of a country by undertaking a whirlwind tour.

Saeed A. Siraj, Al-Kharj published 21 April 2009

Don’t depend on others

This is in response to the letter by Zafar Raja.

I agree with the points raised about Israel, but I do not agree with his call that the world community should send a clear message to Israel. There is no such thing as a “world community” today! Of course, there are plenty of “communities”, consisting of bullies, liars, hypocrites and thieves. The UN Security Council is a good example of the so-called world community. The whole world can sit together and come up with a plan (resolution) only to be told by one of the five Security Council members, “sorry, you are all wrong, I am right and therefore all your plans are vetoed.”

There are other powerful communities, sometimes consisting of France, Germany, UK; sometimes the UK and the US; and every now and then Russia also jumps on the bandwagon. These communities decide what they want to do and then they do it by lying, threatening, bribing, hijacking and even assassinating those who come in their way. The world community is never, ever going to do anything for the Palestinians. First and foremost, it is the job of Muslims around the world to do something about it.

Azad Miah, Oldham, UK published 21 April 2009