Residents of the Emirates were racked with the shocking news that Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed (younger brother of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi) was involved in a plane crash last Friday. On the recovery of his body from a lake in Morocco just yesterday, the United Arab Emirates has now officially declared the customary 3 days of mourning.
As a sign of respect during mourning periods of this sort, radio stations cancel regular programming in deference to playing either classical music or recitations from the Holy Quran, and similarly events/concerts/gigs previously scheduled to take place during this duration of time are either cancelled, postponed or requested to ‘tone it down a notch.’ Literally meaning that there’s to be ‘no booze tonight.”
Now, expats residing here are already aware that Dubai is a very liberal city, especially with that permission slip it distributes to certain watering holes and restaurants, licensing them to serve alcohol (yet responsibly). And as a result, many residents are more than understanding when on a regrettable event such as this, that permission slip is retracted for a couple of days. No harm done. No offence taken.
It comes as no surprise then, that on the receipt of this text from a popular establishment, the entire local and expat community were left reeling:
"STOP! COLLABORATE & LISTEN! VANILLA ICE AT BARASTI IS GOING AHEAD TONIGHT AS PLANNED. NORMAL OPERATION. (Contd) WE ARE NOT DRY! NICE, NICE BABY! 5PM-3AM C U ON THE SAND"
This crude ‘reassurance’ that their gig is on as scheduled, delivered a response far from the enthusiastic 'hurrah!' the institution probably expected.
Both the online and offline community reacted strongly and almost instantaneously to the SMS, deeming the establishment ‘disrespectful,’ ‘inconsiderate’ and ‘insensitive' (among other aliases). And the fact that it was sent entirely in upper case suggested to the residents the lack of sensitivity towards the ruling family. Many promised to boycott the event (if not the venue entirely), and others are rallying for a public apology.
The fiery responses to the promotional text just goes to prove that the UAE expat community is more true to the nation than the bottle, a fact that unfortunately the foreign media so adept at ‘Dubai Bashing’ will never pick up.
Its strange circumstances that unite the nation, and whether this protest will prove successful is yet to be seen. A humbling act of solidarity all the same.
Dubai Running Challenge
1 day ago
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43 comments:
I'd really like to see this show getting cancelled but doubt that'll happen. On the contrary I'm sure it'll be a full house and no one will care about this outcry from the community(minority?) who see this as an act of disrespect....
The UAE is a business hub and tourist destination, and while the message should've been written with a bit more taste, I believe that the show must go on. I use this as a figure of speech, and not specific to the Vanilla Ice show. Business must continue and that's really the fact of life.
I was pretty disappointed to get that text. Not just the fact that the event is going ahead but the whole tone of it was inappropriate.
Its that utter lack of sensitivity to feelings that causes most of the problems between the expat and Emirati population.
Stained, I really don't think it is a minority that think this way. Anyone over the age of 15 knows this is disrespectful.
I really doubt this will affect the concert and the turnout tonight. I had never planned on going, but I doubt an SMS of this sort would have swayed me either way. I usually ignore "spam" of this sort - doesn't everyone?
Yup, it's been cancelled now :o)
Yes, cancelled. Arabian Business is carrying the story here.
Someone needs to be fired over the original decision, which confirms all the complaints about expat behaviour.
I wonder whether the UK tabloids will carry the story of the outrage over it amongst the general community?
A line has to be drawn. Yes, the tone of the SMS was disrespectful. On the other hand, the gig was a business thang and you can't /shouldn't just cancel these events. I'm saying this as an insensitive Brit, of course - the mourning thing in the Persian Gulf (just winding u up a bit there) always struck me as excessive - 3 days for a brother, 10 days for a major player - this is completely incompatible with modern commercial life. And Sheikh Zayed had, what? about 29 sons? If you have a three day stoppage for eath of them, it's not going to benefit the country in any way.
I was involved with the Dubai Drama Group at the time of Sheikh Zayed's death. We'd been working hard on preparing the pantomime (the only show in the season that actually made a profit and kept us going for the rest of the year). When he died, the entire run of shows was cancelled, and it very nearly killed the group.
I'll speak out as a real shit here, I don't care, I don't live in the UAE any more. These extended mourning periods are bollox. Everybody thinks 'yay, free holiday!' Rest of world thinks 'Where's my fucking delivery form Dubai?' As a parent with a kid in school there I used to think 'where's that day of education I paid for?'
Listen up: you can mourn while you work. There is no need to shut down the country for three or ten days (I believe Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum had explicitly requested no extended mourning period to follow his death (although the bastards did it anyway).
Anyway, bit rambly up there: I guess what I'm saying is that you should not just cancel major gigs, or anything else just because the unelected son/brother/sister/aunt/uncle/dog/camel &c of the president has died. And if that sounds disrespectful to Sheikh Khalifa, well...
Keefie, AFAIK there was no national holiday declared--only a national mourning period.
I do however believe that when a head of state passes in the UAE it is necessary to have a public holiday until certain things are sorted out; it is also a mark of respect.
The gig was never cancelled, it was given the go ahead the government so long as it didn't have any laser show or fireworks--seems fair enough to me.
This is my opinion on this whole situation:
point A: People were legitimately asking whether or not the event would still be going ahead.
point B: People were legitimately asking whether or not the event would have alcohol or not.
point C: There is no 'respectful' way to tone an SMS about a Vanilla Ice concert and whether or not it will feature alcohol in a muslim country; those that are pretending that there is are obviously just looking to get offended and are actually offended by the entire concert rather than the SMS
point D: The event was given the go-ahead by the government. End of story.
point E: It was a private SMS between Barasti and people--i'm not sure which exact people go the message. I didn't. If you sign up for stupid crap and get sent spam sms then that is your problem.
point F: There are people involved with this situation that have bought up ridiculous stuff before (like blocking secretdubai's blog, or like trying to get harvey nichols shut down over a tshirt etc). They're just looking for the next big thing to be outraged about.
Sam, I was against blocking Secretdubai but I too found the sms quite offensive.
And for the OP, I think you are mixing apples and oranges. The fact that so many people were outraged doesnt mean "they are true to the nation and the foreign press doesnt realie that".
Many of us (myself included) will show respect when a senior person passes away but that doesnt stop me from agreeing with some (not all ) the things that foreign media brings up.
For me, being "loyal" to the UAE includes being respectful of all mourning periods and of their culture.
It does NOT include pretending all is well, trying to whitewash the rights abuse, justifying the double standards in applying law, glorify extreme materialism etc.
I do know that for some sycohpants, liking Dubai is equivalent to the above, but not for me, and I trust, many others.
Sorry Sam, I disagree. They could have simply sent a message saying "Vanilla Ice going ahead" and no one would have given a damn.
It was not a private communication. It was SPAM and if you're sending out spam you should be careful what you write because you do not control who it goes to.
All it would have taken was a bit of sensitivity and there would not have been a problem. The people who wanted to participate would have done so, the Barasti would have made lots of money and the people who didn't know or care who Vanilla Ice was would have continued not knowing or caring. And the people who enjoy getting their knickers in a twist and doing the "holier than thou" act would have missed the whole thing.
I'm certainly not looking for the next big thing to get outraged about but I do think the world would be a better place if people showed more consideration to the feelings of others.
Firstly I'd like to repeat everything Keefie said, couldn't have said it better myself...
The only good thing to come out of these "mourning" periods is the music on the radio stations....
so nice and relaxing...a hundred times better than the usual drivel that comes out from local dubai stations.....
"It was not a private communication. It was SPAM and if you're sending out spam you should be careful what you write because you do not control who it goes to."
An SMS is a private communication; your friends, family and next door neighbor can't see it. If they'd instigated a TV/radio/internet advertisement then this would be a different matter. If you receive spam SMS' its because you message radio stations, fill out surveys etc.
I still don't understand what people were expecting from a Vanilla Ice concert promoter, a eulogy?
"Yo man, this is Robert Mathew Van Winkle, some of you may know me from TV as Vanilla Ice..."
I'm pretty sure I don't need to continue that sentence.
Let's face facts--no one was offended by a private message that didn't mention the death at all, they were offended by the fact that the concert was still going to go ahead.
The concert was given the go ahead by the government under the provision that they wouldn't have any fireworks or a laser show. That was the only requirement.
In my opinion, it is unfeasible in this day and age to cancel events etc for non head-of-states from different emirates.
If this had been in Abu Dhabi I wouldn't have the same opinion.
keefie: "On the other hand, the gig was a business thang and you can't /shouldn't just cancel these events. I'm saying this as an insensitive Brit, of course - the mourning thing in the Persian Gulf always struck me as excessive."
from a purely business/commercial perspective, if you passed away on the day of U2's last concert which your kids (the same ones being denied education on accounts of mourning days) had tickets to, would you want the kids to attend your funeral, or U2's concert?
on the one hand, you did make them (unelected even – I bet the kids didn’t have a choice who their father was), on the other, you are
a) dead;
b) it's U2's last concert ever;
c) the kids have doled out tonnes of money for the tickets;
d) hanging around at home isnt going to bring you back...
logically, "the show must go on", and there'd probably be plenty of people to attend your funeral. your kids dont *really* need to be there.
More importantly, it would be a shame to miss U2's performance - one could accuse of you being insensitive and not picking a more opportune time to die.
3 days (mourning) for a brother, 10 days for a major player - this is completely incompatible with modern commercial life.
Which, is *your* opinion. One you are entitled to. Just like I’m entitled to think your entire comment was bollox, and reeked of ignorance about UAE’s people and their culture, and your inability to comprehend anything that’s not in line with your values .
embracing "modern commercial life" may be a priority for you. embracing your priorities in life may not be a priority for others.
perhaps you are not the only one who’s happy that you left.
@hemlock. Gosh.
How true to your (fake) name. And how totally, totally offensive and personal.
KB was not speaking about your family, you know. He was not even addresssing the ruling 'family'. He was addressing the government. And people (like you) have a choice to not attend gigs if they feel they need to mourn the death of another emirate's ruler's half brother, as if he was their dad.
I m neither for nor against keefieboy. He was obviously seeking to provoke. But if you take out the offensive nature of what he is saying, the argument is valid:
1. Wear black bands to mourn. Place flowers. Give room to people to pay their respects. Play sombre music. Don't shut shops, schools, shows.
As someone else, with less vitriol pointed out, that is what the government did. They did not cancel the gig.
Maybe as an expat you are now an expert in "UAE’s people and their culture" but the only thing you seem to have embraced is the worst of the behaviour displayed by some of them.
anon again
@ Hemlock...
Are you serious?
Equating mourning the death of one's father, to a whole nation being forced to 'mourn' a total stranger.
What you're condoning is that these kids you've mentioned would lose their dad, then turn around and force you and everyone else to cancel any events/plans......
Stop with the sensationalism.....
The immediate family of the deceased is more than welcome to mourn for as long as they want....it's unnecessary and illogical to force an entire nation to do so.
On every one of these subjects I hear the same old and tired excuse of the "UAE Culture".....
Give me a break.....just because we've been doing something for hundreds of years, doesn't mean it is logical or good...time's change, socities should try to keep up..
By your logic, we should all respect the tradition of canabilism in some pacific island tribes...because after all...it's their culture.....
To summarize and end this entire conversation.
IT IS LAUGHABLE TO STOP AN ENTIRE NATION AND FORCE THEM TO MOURN SOMEONE THEY HAVE NO FEELINGS TOWARDS!!!!!!!!!!
".....just because we've been doing something for hundreds of years, doesn't mean it is logical or good...time's change, societies should try to keep up..'
This may just be going around in circles -- however some folk choose not to give up certain ways of life, come sunshine, rain, snow or oil wells. I'm NOT saying everybody does that, but some folks maintain certain ways which make up their ways and who they are. I don't see anything wrong with that.. That said, I agree, a whole nation and the foreigners, may not feel the need to mourn. However in context to this post, and as Susan pointed out -- wouldn't folks in general feel disrespect, say if Beyonce strutted her stuff the day (god forbid) a President was shot dead?
I think most of us know / realize, this is a small, young, and conservative place. Don't be fooled by the glam sham at the surface.
my favourite anon! here's my last comment on this post. because i like you.
"How true to your (fake) name. And how totally, totally offensive and personal."
people who say things they want to say should be prepared to hear things they dont want to hear.
just because we can talk crap, doesnt mean we should. here's a comment of keefie's i found offensive and disrespectful (in generall) "I guess what I'm saying is that you should not just cancel major gigs, or anything else just because the unelected son/brother/sister/aunt/uncle/dog/camel &c of the president has died. And if that sounds disrespectful to Sheikh Khalifa, well..."
he seems ok with dishing out disrespect. im sure he can take it too. also, it seems to me, he was in fact addressing the ruling family.
should i keep my trap shut because he wasnt adressing "my family"? read this. what's offensive, disrespectful and ignorant remains that way, no matter whose family we are talking about.
"Don't shut shops, schools, shows."
from what i understand, at the death of Shk Ahmed, schools and shops were not shut down. life has continued as usual for most of us (except for those who had to switch to playing CDs in their cars as opposed to the radio). From what sam has posted, barasti was allowed by the gov to go on with the show. it was the sms that offended people and resulted in a cancelled show.
i have never once heard Keefie say a decent word about UAE. "...I don't care, I don't live in the UAE any more." for someone who "doesnt care anymore", he spends an awful lot of time UAE-bashing.
He moved out of UAE. Pity he's not been able to move on.
He moved out of UAE. Pity he's not been able to move on.
Hemlock:
This line of yours can be argued both ways. Let's take Rosh here. Apparently, he moved out of the UAE supposedly to New York. Yet he keeps passing by and posting comments. Pity that he's not been able to move on and join forums in North America instead of wasting his time at the UAE community Blog and all-things UAE blogs. Based on this, I doubt if anybody ever moves on, including you, if and when you ever move on away from the UAE.
All said and done, please do not forget that everybody here is entitled to an opinion, whether it's right or wrong. If you or anybody here doesn't like it, ignore it. You want to take someone on, rise above them instead of going around in circles and then say that it'll be your last comment. I hate to say this but you give me the impression that you're not up to a challenge!
As for that spam text message, that was totally out of line and truly in bad taste period.
Enjoy your weekend.
Shaahima:
Just to let you know, I absolutely loved the title of this label. The contents were a bit heavy but the style you chose to heads-up this label made up for that hardheaded knock you intended to convey.
P.S.: In the spirit of this Christian holy week, here's hoping the deceased Gentleman rests in peace. Amen!
@Kyle, mean.
*sniff!
May his soul rest in peace. Amen.
Happy Easter to you and the loved ones. What's for brunch -- warm hot cross buns, deviled eggs, roasted rack of lamb? :)
Rosh:
My sincere apologies if I used you as a reference to get my point across the board.
Here's wishing you and your family much fun and loads of enjoyment during the Easter holidays.
Kyle, please, nothing to apologize. However, I shall acccept easter home cooking in lieu, if you quite feel the need to :)
The more people boycott Barasti the better. It is just an average run of the mill bar that is frequented by the sort of trash that would have been builders back in their home country, but are 'project managers' here. Unfortunate truth.
Hemlock - honestly, if my funeral was due to be held on the day of the very last ever U2 concert I would sincerely hope my family would postpone the funeral and go and have a blast.
I'm going to be a long time dead and there'll NEVER be another U2!
hi everyone.. you must have missed me.. happy passover.. :) and easter and whatever else you may be celebrating..
im not addressing the comments but the post itself..
i must say im a bit confused.. on the one hand the citizens of the country comprise only 15 percent.. and yet on the other hand the 85% are expected to mourn leaders that wont accept them as subjects? is that not weird?
by the way im sorry for your loss..
Nicely put. The original post is a little beacon of sanity amid the static of the blogosphere!
and yet on the other hand the 85% are expected to mourn leaders that wont accept them as subjects? is that not weird?
Lirun:
It's got nothing to do with the majority versus minority theory. At the end of the day, I believe it all boils down to each individual's ability to distinguish right from wrong and act accordingly. And that is what signified on this occasion.
Contrary to popular Emirati opinion who solely believe that all Expats are here for is money,
which may be the case with a minority (I say count that on one hand)! However, a majority do consider this country to be their home and make whatever attempt possible to signify so. This, in spite of the local Government and its citizens making a humongous effort to point out au
contraire.
Here's wishing one and all better days!
Happy Easter :)
Lirun, ur not confused, ur just a troll.
However, a majority do consider this country to be their home and make whatever attempt possible to signify so. This, in spite of the local Government and its citizens making a humongous effort to point out au
contraire.
Could it be that those
(locals and expats) who believe expats are here only for the money are just revealing their own mentality?
Maybe money is everything to them so they cant comprehend why someone will love a country when it doesnt give them free handouts or free money (which may be the reason for their own love for their country).
Similarly expats who say all expats are mercenaries are just believing everyone else is like them.
proud emirati
thanks for your kind words..
ur welcome to derail this thread into a personal attack against me.. but it might bore the others..
i am curious nevertheless how this works.. if it is your home - why cant you exercise any influence.. why cant you vote.. why cant your customs be recognised as valid..
you can simplify it all you like.. but i think this touches (at least in my opinion some core issues).. can a population be placed on the fence and yet expected to comply as well as empathise with a minority dictatorship..
i struggle to understand how the place could ever be your home until it starts recognising you as a dweller of equal rights..
Guys I'd say that SMS was pretty rude.. but how many times have people fought over cancelled gigs here in Dubai? It's boring.
Lirun, you're a smart guy and I didn't expect you to throw that comment about 15% and 85% given that you're an Israeli and we all know what the government there does to people under its control.
Also no one is a "subject" of the UAE, this only happens when you have a king or queen (e.g. the United Kingdom). Here you have citizens and foreign residents (short or long term) and there are state laws that apply very transparently to all these people.
Yes Lirun, u always bring the same topic over and over and I don't see a point in that other than trolling because u already know the answer. I don't know any country where foreigners have political rights or nationals rights. So what is ur point again?
That's not surprising because its part of who u are, u immigrated to a country which u had no relation with, became a majority, then claim its ur own and started killing the real owners. The fence is closer to where u stay btw.
So please stop pretending that u are confused when in reality u r here only to provoke. Your intention are not as innocent as ur trying to show.
The apologist for apartheid Israel isn't happy with expats rights in the UAE? could you say rich?
(a) of course im trying to provoke.. i dont think there is anything wrong with that.. im trying to provoke some thought.. some free thought.. this topic is not about right or wrong.. its about moral judgment at the most personal and emotional level.. basically - should someone foreign feel sufficiently connected that they need to either mourn with their minority host community when the minority host suffers a loss or at the very least modify their behaviour to accommodate this minority and/or host.. at the end of the day - unless legislated - it is a matter of personal choice and im sumply trying to provoke you enough to give me a glimpse of the parametres against which you are judging these expats.. but of course instead some people prefer to talk about me.. ummm.. ok..
(b) so - i didnt immigrate from anywhere.. i was born israeli and my family is from the yishuv hayashan.. google it if you dont know what that means.. it doesnt get more native than that..
(c) im wondering when youll be able to accept my questions are genuine questions even for your own sake rather than take offence just because an israeli raised them..
(d) im not apologist about anything.. dubai jazz - if you gets kicks out of cowardly attacking me online.. then all i can say is that you need to get out more..
(e) sometimes i wonder.. if people as educated and progressive as yourselves can be so hostile and so condemning - then what chance does our region have - if youll even take your own grief as an opportunity to harass me..
i think your leader (alla yir7amu) deserves more respect..
Dear Dubai Jazz, Proud Emirati, Buj and Co.,
A few years down the road, the whole world would have moved on but thanks to the likes of you and your views, this region will continue rolling backwards.
Well done.
Ignorance is not innocence but sin.
Robert Browning, The Inn Album, canto 5.
Anonymous,
I’m so sorry my concern for human rights seems so backwards to you. I didn't know that nations progressed by exalting oppression (kind of like what you seem to do).
Lirun,
You’re not only a troll and an apologist; you’re a crude propagandist, too. You call the war through which Palestinians were decimated, expelled in the hundreds of thousands, (and basically ethnically cleansed), you call it ‘War of Independence’. You claim, in a thinly veiled racism, that you can’t live at equal terms with Muslims. You call the oppressive, inhumane siege of Gaza ‘a closure of borders’. You ridicule the Goldstone report and go on to defend your government and its war crimes.….
....And you have the audacity to come here and lecture us about respect for leaders?
Dubai Jazz,
Being concerned is a nice thing, admirable, if it makes you feel elevated. Words across the board too are nicer but actions speak louder. And that applies to both parties (Arab & Jews), most especially you & your brethren that are so passionate about this conflict & its fallouts.
Nations progressing or moving forward includes finding a permanent solution to oppression.
Anonymous (13:03)
yes duai jazz.. the audacity.. because as you would have it - every one with a different opinion should be silenced.. everyone with a different opinion is insulent?
do you really believe that i personally am responsible for the entire suffering of the palestinian nation? and in any event so much so that i cant query a post on a blog? and even in such case - to the extent that you will sacrifice the opportunity to explore an idea - train wreck the discussion - merely because the query came from me?
is this really a valid approach to your mind? because if it is - i can understand why someone feeling (or failing to feel) for an event of national significance - such as the passing away of a leader may be so controversial.. clearly you believe that your right dominate others is so strong that they must even align with your sentiments.. otherwise they are not even entitled to opinions (you know? those private thoughts that run through someones own mind..) and in a reality in which opinions are unacceptable then obviously outwardly manifesting behaviour that is incongruous is all the more unacceptable..
but what i still cant accept is how you allow yourself to attack me personally..
ps - my email is accessible through my profile.. ur welcome to filter the crap you so enjoy throwing at myself and place it in an email.. why not leave this post to actually contain discussion..
and one more thing.. buj
the percentage may or not may relevant but i dont see the comparison.. our minority can be elected to parliament.. your 85% cant..
i dont see the relevance in your remark..
why are people so afraid of open discussion.. is it because im israel? should i reinvent my blogger identity as mohammed el masri and come back with a pseudonym?
“yes duai jazz.. the audacity.. because as you would have it - every one with a different opinion should be silenced.. everyone with a different opinion is insulent?
“
This, of course, is a total straw-man.
“do you really believe that i personally am responsible for the entire suffering of the palestinian nation? and in any event so much so that i cant query a post on a blog? and even in such case - to the extent that you will sacrifice the opportunity to explore an idea - train wreck the discussion - merely because the query came from me?
“
Again, straw-man. While you’re not personally responsible, you certainly share that responsibility with the disinformation, denial, propaganda and apologia that you publish on your blog. Of course you're entitled to post whatever you desire on your blog; (what kind of stupid assumption on your part that I'm calling for shutting you down?) but at the same time, I too am entitled to call you out on your 'opinions'.
I don't call making apologia for racism and apartheid 'having a different idea'. Contravening human rights isn't merely having a different opinion. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Lirun: we're not in a misunderstanding here, we're not experiencing miscommunication or language barriers. Unfortunately for you, I do understand you very clearly. Yours is a political position through and through. And you're lucky, by the way, because in this biased world, apologists for apartheid and segregation would be in much more tougher position than yours.
is this really a valid approach to your mind? because if it is - i can understand why someone feeling (or failing to feel) for an event of national significance - such as the passing away of a leader may be so controversial.. clearly you believe that your right dominate others is so strong that they must even align with your sentiments.. otherwise they are not even entitled to opinions (you know? those private thoughts that run through someones own mind..) and in a reality in which opinions are unacceptable then obviously outwardly manifesting behaviour that is incongruous is all the more unacceptable..
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "your rights" and "my rights": but I can hazard a guess: No, your believing that you're entitled to return to the Holy Land doesn't mean you have the right to expel, kill and disenfranchise people. No, I'm not attacking you personally, I don't know you personally. I read (past) your blog and that's where I form my impression. When you'll have the courage to revisit the history--recent and otherwise-- and actions of your country and acknowledge the cataclysmic disaster its creation and expansion had inflicted upon the Palestinian people, maybe then your suggestions for peace in the Middle East would sound more believable.
Until then, goodbye. This is hopefully the last exchange I'm going to have with you. You've already overstayed your welcome as far as I'm concerned.
thats fantastic dorothy..
and i would be inclined to take you even a tiny bit seriously if you went on to my blog and commented.. but instead you decide to unleash your rage here.. at the expense of the general discussion.. so i dont believe you..
nevertheless i urge you cordially to see through your promise and ignore me in the future.. which you could have done at any stage during the 4 years that i have been commenting on this blog - and yet you choose not to.. i hope now you'll demonstrate your seriousness and end the random attacks on everything i say..
until such time - i would like to remind you that this is the internet habibi.. a realm in which your welcome is not relevant or required.. while none of the voices represent me - you have a plethora of anonymous commenters - which i could have easily been..
instead ive decided to stand behind my words and am entirely identifiable..
while i realise the chances of a genuine answer are very slim - i would really love one.. i came to this blog initially to understand the modern arab phenomenon which is the UAE.. i would still love to gain this understanding..
maalesh
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