The next time

A recent post on Secret Dubai's Diary regarding the date upon which Eid this year would fall caused a whirlwind in commentary; sensible and not sensible; with various name calling and incredibly ridiculous arguments.

First off let me start by saying Eid Mubarak, Kil Sine wo Into Taybeen, Season's Greetings, and Happy Holidays to all. It is that time of the year.

If the US Postal office can find it in themselves (even if there is some huge conspiracey theory behind it) to print a stamp acknowledging all 3 major religions to mark this time of the year, wouldn't it be logical to assume that we as individuals can at least acknowledge each other with respect and admissions to the awful truth that life is unfair because we have made it unfair for ourselves?

The commentary on Secret Dubai's blog has proved that we cannot do so.

I feel the need to address a few things that came up in this blog though. Despite all the ramblings that took the form of sensible debating, I still can't put my finger on one person that was able to stay objective during all of it.

It's troublesome. Not because there has been so much time wasted away from regular mundane tasks and errands we are all burdened with but because there are so many people out there unable to recognize that we have the power to change the status quo if we really want to and yet they continue to attack the wrong people or the wrong behaviour.

And no I'm not talking about making the world a better place and feeding the orphans. I'm talking about simple exchanges of respect between people whether or not there are miles of cabling and monitors at each end to hide behind.

First things first:

The deliberation of Eid.

Fortunately for muslims in a way there is a regulating authority for judgements and fatwas that is based out of KSA. Unfortunately for muslims we can't agree on anything.

Fortunately, the prophet left behind him teachings on how to determine the start and end of Ramadan. Unfortunately, everybody wants to be boss.

And yet, millions of muslims look towards Saudi's regulating body to tell them that Ramadan is upon us and that Eid is tomorrow.

It's a societal dynamic. If I follow Saudi and I fast on the day they tell me to, then I am not making a mistake because I followed a higher authority appointed by God, the prophet, and the people.

If I don't follow Saudi, and I fast a day after or a day before, God isn't going to smite me. The point is, that this is a celebration for all and by default, the saudi authorities determine it and the remaining GCC countries follow as many other sinne muslim countries. The point is and remains, the joyous, feel-good time, follow your fast with good deeds time is upon us.

Fortunately for all muslims; innama al a3malo bil niyyat wa li kol imri'in ma nawa.

"Actions are determined by their intentions, and you are owed what you intended"

So if you want to fast and you have intended to do so whether or not you start or stop a day earlier or later than the rest, you're still good and god's going to credit you for whatever days you fasted.

Whether or not people choose to believe there is a government party tallying up how many days the public sector should get as eid holidays does it matter? I doubt there is but a society built on a shaky foundation such as this one with many cultures being forced into cramped quarters where tolerance is truely tested needs regulation. Hence the issuing of holidays to public sector as such and private sector following suit if they choose too. According to religious teachings Eid holidays are to be no more than 3 days upon which everyone returns to normal activities.

A simple blog entry and everyone was up in arms.

The whole point of having a Eid has been distorted over a ridiculous argument.

In any case, had the sky been cloudy last night or not, with the advancement of technology, those issuing the command on whether or not Ramadan this year is 29 or 30 days are required to use those technological advancements to determine such otherwise we could have had a 3 day sandstorm and the moon was never to be seen. Should we just keep fasting even after the 30 days?

Point is, conspiracey theory has no place in an issue such as this one.

Moving on to the expat vs local and expact vs arab and everyone vs the subcons debate that keeps coming up and up again.

It is true; the locals are paid more money for the same job. In the past little or no work was done to justify those salaries from non-local point of view. However, the alternative of having the freshly graduated locals with no experience sitting at home with nothing to do and their minds rotting is not a good one. It is the duty of those that run this country to their people to invest in their minds and talents however slowly the results come by. It is out duty to question unfairness but to also respect that when coming here we knew full well what the deal was. It is also our duty to do what we deem necessary in order to survive within reason. The argument that if you don't like it here means nothing simply because if you are already complaining and you had any other alternative you wouldn't be here.

Lets face it for alot of people this is a cushy life with over the top adventures and we're here because of that.

I for one could not bear the sub zero weather in Canada nor did I find it fair that no matter how hard I worked the slice of tax to the government just got bigger and bigger. Yes medical care is free but its well on its way to privatization and if I lived another year in below 0 weather I would have surely needed it.

As for expats: The majority of you get better jobs than your arab and subcon counterparts whether or not you agree based on the assumption you will be smarter, brighter, more efficient, more professional, and bring more money into the company because you are the embodiment of the blonde and blue. If you're from the west you must be better at doing the job than the arab I know will sit drinking coffee all day with his paper. A stereotype. Very wrong one. The thing is the cushy packages the expats were getting a few years ago are dwindling and fast. The other thing is its because the arab, local, subcon, talent came back educated from the west and the advantage the expats had has begun to fade. After all, we've all worked and succeeded in the same place you came from so why should the packages you get be exclusive to you alone. There are still some out there that enjoy it but they've been here so long whose got the energy to argue it. And just as there are many arabs and subcons that fake the working and spend lots of time chatting, blogging, and just reading the paper in their comfortable jobs, expats, rule the game too. I've seen it with my own eyes.

I won't begin to address the subcon issue with anything other than it is a landmine field riddled with every social stigma there is. The bottom line the treatment they receive is unfair and we all help it along.

As for arabs, well, there is no need for us to get hot headed about issues such as this. The same goes for muslims all over the world. No need whatsoever, you're only playing into the sentiment and stigma that muslims are terrorists by default.

You're doing fine as you are, we're not the only ones threatened by hungry Bush we're just on the top of the list right now. It's the oil and the economic value of the middle eastern region that makes us so important. Its the fierce unity we display when we all cry for the sake of our religion that scares Bush and his little helpers. It's the willingness to die for a religion and the commitment we have to it that offends them. This is not wrong in principle however it is powerful and can be a negative propegator. Bush had to come up with the fight for freedom and democracy to give the entire Iraq campaign a valid emotional cause that people could relate to and want to die for because we rule in that department. But if we are so proud and so closely tied to the religion emotionally wouldn't it be better if we tried to spread the word of our religion with positive messages?

I mean I don't practice but I do believe in the fundamental message that is Islam. I would die defending it but I wouldn't provoke an argument or use anything other than peaceful means no matter how futile or bleak the outlook is.

The issue that is lost on many expats or westerners is that we are not raised to do whatever makes you happy or comfortable in the confines of our homes. We are not brought up to think that our sole individualistic needs are the only ones that matter when our emotional or physical well-being is threatened. We are not brought up in small tight family cells or units with the focus on moving out at 18 and finding our own way.

We are raised that the group needs always prevail. We are raised that family comes first and that everything we do is to be in line with an expectation or expectations dictated to us about how or what we do with our lives since we are children.


We are raised to be proud not as individuals but as a part of a family that extends beyond the immediate. We don't have family reunions because we are continuously in touch. An aunt in Canada or a cousin in France or a great uncle in Brazil or a family home in a small tiny village somewhere are all weaved into the fabric of our lives since the day we are born no matter where we are born.

This includes christians and muslims alike in this region but to be truthful the unifying feelings among the muslims are much stronger than the ties purely built on arabism.


Some if not most expats fail to see that. They fail to realize that an attack verbal or more on a muslim value can and will cause uprise and uproar from the people.

Don't expect those that govern us to be a fair representation of who we are however. Democracy is lacking in our side of the world however that in our defense, the defense of the people that live under the rule, was aided and helped along by super powers that claim they are now bringing it to us, when they are the reason we have been deprived of it for so long.

That is besides the point however. What I aim or want or wish for is for people to stop being so judgemental and willing to label other people terrorists for simply getting angry over something that is considered offensive in our culture. I also want those that got angry over SD's post to see the humor in it no matter what the intentions of SD were.

SD's post although funny was meant to cause a debate. I don't know SD therefore I can't determine what her intentions are. I believe that yes maybe she does bring up sensitive topics in order to garner some kind of attention maybe not personally maybe to bring about change? maybe because she expresses herself this way? Does she get a kick out of it? Why doesn't someone just ask her that? I think I will. Why do you post such things without putting forward a solid opinion of your own? Why do you focus on highlighting the cons before the pros of this society and without an opinion that can be attributed to you? Why do you continue to do so even though you are fully aware of the fire you could be fueling? Do you get a kick out of it? Mind you SD, I'm not accusing you of anything I just want to know what has motivated you to keep this blog going for so long as is even after it was temporarily blocked? What makes you do it?

However, no matter what her intentions are it does not justify that the debate on her blog took the nasty turn that it did and revealed the awful feelings we all have for one another. We are all educated people with open minds - in theory -. Therefore it stands that this debate shouldn't have gone as far as it did.

Dubai and the UAE, has brought in so many cultures and so many types of people that the only unifying force amongst us all is that we all seem to be really good at complaining and questioning without much decisive action. This place will never be a melting pot because the dominant powers do not want that.

Remember, you agreed to all the crap you were going to get when you got here. No you don't have to put up with it or take it but you do have to form a comprimise between you and yourself and those around you in order to move forward with your life.

The next time you see a sub-con worker tirelessly toiling in the sun and you feel outrage for the way they are being treated give him a hundred dirhams and walk on. Don't even wait for the thanks.

The next time Etisalat and Dewa overcharge and underserve you, deal with it quietly and patiently and move on to the next set of problems.

The next time you work overtime for a week or 6 months maybe and you feel underpaid, find another job that pays you more if you can and if you can't invest in your skills and then find another job that pays you more.

The next time the Pope says something offensive and then apologizes for it, accept the apology and move on.

The next time SD posts a blog that you find offensive, express your opinion clearly if you feel the need to do so without resorting to name calling and if you're faced with a person that is not respecting you state how you feel without degredation to your ownself and move on. I've made the mistake of arguing with a blogger on my blog before and on his. I look back at it now and I regret I let my anger get the best of me no matter how justified I felt. It just wasn't worth it.

And the next time you feel the need to attack SD, don't attack her person, attack the behaviour and question it calmly.