Journalists' body stands by bloggers

Interesting read:Journalists' body stands by bloggers

Deviant Art Blocked in the UAE

Etisalat has et again blocked another harmless site - Deviant Art.com

Many of my friends who are graphic designers use the site to showcase their artwork and portfolios. No idea why they blocked it, but it would be a good idea to petition Etisalat to unblock it.

You can join the Facebook group as well.

Any du users having the same issue?

In The Shadow of a Monster

The mushroom clouds are fading from the Gaza skies today, and the phosphor gels no longer shower the women and children tonight, and the people of Gaza have stood tall against a vile and demented monster. A monster that robbed children from their parents, parents from their children and now it returns home. Home to this monster is a parasite nation made up of parasites.

 

Many will cry for this monster and the parasites, many of them are vampires that shed tears of blood tonight crying for the villages of Sderot, Ashqelon and Beersheba. None of them will cry for the ruins of the villages that were there before the parasites. None of them will cry for the refugees that have been evicted from their lands for no other reason than being an Arab and Muslim. But these vampires are crying tonight.

 

Lets us not forget though, and I call on each one of you to take part in documenting this aggression against a civilian population that has legitimate right to exist, on its own land, under its own law. I have created this page on my blog that I will use to document this genocide and I would like your help with:

 

• ·         The write up of the document
  
• ·         Research specific items as needed
  
• ·         Submit online media and photos for proof
  
• ·         Help raise the awareness of this initiative
  

 

Many of you have participated in various activities during the assault to help Gaza, and I ask you to take one more step and help bring justice to these embattled people, and let the world see the abomination of this cancerous state.

The Phaedrus - Gaza Assault Page

Residence Visa

I've looked online but can't find anything on this issue. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place..I don't know. So I thought I'll bring my query over here so that someone could show me where to look exactly or better tell me about it. I basically want to know if a father or a sibling can fund his unemployed son/brother who is above 18 years of age a 1 year residence visa through ANY possible legal way.

Thanks in advance!!!

Arrest bad news prognosticators?

Los Angeles Times

He foretold the collapse of Lehman Bros., the U.S. investment bank, and anticipated the resulting plunge of the South Korea currency, the won, all the while castigating policymakers for their blunders.

But prosecutors say Minerva crossed the line.

In a Dec. 29 posting, the online commentator wrote that the South Korean government had ordered financial institutions to stop buying dollars in order to curb the won's fall against the greenback.

The posting devastated the local foreign exchange market, forcing the nation's financial authority to spend $2 billion of its reserves as the demand for dollars surged wildly, prosecutors claim.

To Supplement the Lightning in Dubai

I got the full recording of the lightning/rain/thunder "sound effects" -- 26 minutes MP3 of the rain/thunder/lightning for relaxing and other psychogeographic purposes (e.g. listening to it with headphones while walking in a desert area on a sunny day.)


If anyone is interested in aquiring a copy (for free, of course) of this 26-minute "Rain in Al Ain relaxation tape [MP3]", please email me and I'll send it to you.


existentialalain[at]yahoo[dot]com

Do I really need to say anything!!! :D

Note: for those who can't make it out...the lightning has hit Burj Dubai!!! I saw it hit the building atleast a dozen times!!!

Rain in Al Ain

Maybe you would like to hear some of the thunder and rain we had in Al Ain early this morning. (via existential al ain) [Yes, this link is to my blog, sorry, but you may not have been able to hear otherwise.]

Islamic Events and Talks in Dubai

The Facebook Group 'Islamic Info in Dubai' gives information on the different talks, events and general Islamic resources available in Dubai including books, literature, DVDs on Islam available in Dubai.

This group also lists the different Islamic talks happening at the various Islamic centers and Universities in Dubai.

JOIN 'Islamic Info in Dubai' on Facebook

Click Here to Join

Wagyu anyone?

I was really surprised when restaurants in the UAE started to offer Wagyu and other Japanese beef variations on their menu plans.
Today, the National even covered this Japanese delicacy.
What I am wondering about, is how this meat can be labelled as "Halal" on the menus, because as you may or may not know, these animals are being fed Beer and Sake. There are now many farmers in Europe which have switched to breeding Japanese cattle because they can make more money with it.

A New Day in Gaza

They are those who would you like you to believe that there is justification for this brutal onslaught. Some would site defense, others would refer to the fight of terrorism and some would even blame the victim. None would ever mention that this is an occupation, and occupation that is merciless, and an occupation that has lasted more than any other in modern history.

Many have preached the virtues of freedom, democracy and understanding, most of them now either are quiet, and the disgusting ones try to force their sick rationalizing down our throats. They want us to see why our children, women and men need to be killed. They want us to stand up applaud every time a young freedom fighter is blown to pieces and call it progress towards peace. A new middle east, they say.

To them I say that the children in Gaza are our children, their families are our own families, and the freedom fighters are our hope for a new tomorrow. We will not let them suffer no more; we will not stand by and let vampires have their way. Palestine for us is all of Palestine, and we will send our ghetto visitors to their ghetto homes sooner or later.

Today all across the Middle East people protested, and many in Dubai and the rest of the Emirates did the same, and today the resistance, in the embargo ridden land, is still standing tall. Today, 6 toddlers where found alive next the bodies of their mothers, scared and hungry in their home in Gaza.

We are all Gaza today, and are all Palestinians. To the rest of the world, take your hypocrisy elsewhere.

Repost from The Phaedrus

Freej Folklore

Just to let you all know that Freej Folklore, the major Arab theatrical production that's running at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena from the 8th-17th January, is offering two tickets for the price of one up until Thursday. We're blogging the run-up to the event here and the official website's here.

Gold-diggers and speculators cut journey times on Dubai roads

The situation in the world is pretty crazy these days. The situation here in the UAE is no less special. We've opened up our doors, e-gates, airports and hotels; embracing capitalism with open arms and welcoming everyone and anyone with a passport by "adding value" via the pink stickers you can get at your nearest Immigration and Naturalisation branch, typically valid for 3-years.

Now you can really reap the benefits (and drawbacks) to such a model. Ok there is a liquidity problem in the UAE and the world, but on the flip side I can safely say that traffic in the UAE and especially Dubai has become better. I think I can even call it "manageable". This is a great thing and a time for us to rejoice. We can spend less time on the road and more time with those we love.

Last thoughts: Where have all the gold-diggers and speculators gone to? Where is their next Dubai? Maybe they have gone to volunteer in Gaza?

H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al-Mualla

President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns the death of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al-Qaiwain, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al-Mualla, who passed away Friday morning in London.

A week state of mourning has been declared during which flag will fly at half mast, while all ministries and other government departments and institutions will close for three days beginning from today, Friday.

May Allah the Almighty grant the soul of the deceased perfect peace and his family and the UAE people the patience to bear the great loss.

Aid Points for Gaza in UAE

I was looking for concrete charitable organisations within UAE to whom I could donate to for Gaza.

I came across Aramex, and I thought I'd let everyone know they have a Gaza Campaign going on in UAE and will be collecting donations in:

• Mall of the Emirates
• Deira City Centre
• Sharjah City Centre
• Ajman City Centre.
• Carrefour, Airport Road - Abu Dhabi
• Al Ain Mall, Al Ain - Abu Dhabi
• 
  
• They require:
  

First Aid kits, medical emergency supplies, chronic illness medication, Personal hygiene products, Non-perishable foods, New clothes, Tents and Blankets.

Some things which Israel is NOT allowing through:

• Salt
• Whole Dates (only seedless dates are allowed)
• Used/old clothes (only NEW clothes are allowed)

Please ensure the validity date is at least 6 months for food and at least 1 year for medicine.

Donations are accepted from 1st of January till the 11th of January.

Please pass on the word and if you know of any other organisations who are sending aid to Gaza and need donations within UAE, please post them here including their locations. The death toll has gone past 400 and there are thousands injured and in need.

*Updated*

You can also donate through [Funds & might be out of the Country]:

• UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
• Islamic Relief
• Red Crescent - You can call them at: 800 733 - They are accepting donations and will also send someone to your residence to pick up items.
• Palestinian Children Relief Funds
• Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has an account set up to for cash donations.
• http://www.freegaza.org
  

Dubai Cares Campaign: From Jan 14th to Jan 20th.

Dear Friends,

Dubai Cares is joining a united front of UAE-based relief and charitable organizations to pledge humanitarian assistance and mobilize the UAE community to help alleviate the suffering of children in Gaza. There are approximately 275,000 students of primary school age in Gaza and Dubai Cares is asking for your help to support them in this time of need.

Here's how you can help. Dubai Cares is currently recruiting volunteers to help package 50,000 basic school kits and 50,000 hygiene kits for the Children of Gaza. Approximately 150 participants are needed each day for this event as we are aiming to assemble approximately 10,000 kits a day. We would be honored if you could join us.

Dubai Cares will supply all of the items required for the kits and we need your help to pack and prepare them for shipping to the children of Gaza.

Date: Wednesday, January 14 through January 20, 2009
Venue: DIFC (Emperor Hall)
Timing(s):
• Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Friday January 16, 2009: 2:00 -6:00 p.m.
• Saturday January 17, 2009: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.


You are welcome to join us anytime. Please bring your friends and family to the venue during our working hours and we will put you to work. You can also help us spread the word by forwarding this email to others who you believe may want to help. We will have snacks and beverages available.

Should you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at Gaza@dubaicares.ae .

We hope you will be able to join with us to show solidarity for the children of Gaza.


Sincerely,
Kawthar Bin Sulayem
0503588220

Also, please, keep any political talk about Israel/Palestine out of this. You all can argue about it somewhere else. This post is about sending aid and helping people. Thank-you.