You read it here first!

Gulf News Article

So the three wise men in the East also agree with me that it would have been impossible to have seen the crescent of the new moon on the 22nd September as I said in this post.

I told you so!

Seems that our long held suspicions that Ramadan is called when it best fits in the weekend might have some credence.

OSAMA'S NIGHTMARE

By Ullrich Fichtner in Dubai

Dubai has sold its soul to globalization like few cities have. A glittering capitalist fantasyland has taken shape at the heart of the Arab world. It's a center of international trade, a holiday paradise and a carnival rolled into one.

Las Vegas in the Arabian Desert

Skype

Perhaps many people in .ae are unaware of the true amount of money Etisalat / the TRA / Du can gain by blocking VoIP…

This graph (courtesy of anonymous) displays the savings / stealing capable from usage of VoIP:


click for bigger version

Sun

The brand new Zayed University campus on the Al Ain Road is nearing completion, more or less. It's an absolutely massive building in the middle of the desert, with large covered-over "outdoor" areas, and the whole thing is air-conditioned beyond the freezing point.

Can anyone tell me why then, in a country with abundant sunshine and in an institution that prides itself on being progressive, they did not build the campus to use solar power? It seems to me that they missed a huge opportunity to set an example to the rest of the city, as an institute of higher learning should. And I hear the electric bills are higher than the entire rent on their last campus. Surely a little forethought and additional expense in the construction would have paid off handsomely in so many ways for years to come?

Racial discrimination in the UAE

Scroll down and you'll find SANS' posting "Equal Opportunity", where there's a lively debate based on the employment advertisement chosen to illustrate discrimination.

I think that, unfortunately, the wrong ad was chosen to illustrate a very valid point - that racism and racial discrimination are rife in the region and steps need to be taken to stamp them out. There are many more blatant examples of discrimination in employment and I've posted several examples on my blog, here. If you don't have time to go there, how about these examples from today's Gulf News:




These are blatant examples of discrimination, very specific in the nationality or ethnicity required of applicants, but they're quite legal in the UAE.

It's a long, hard road to change people's attitudes but legislation is a good place to start.

torrentspy

etisalat seems to have now unblocked torrentspy.com

How about the pirate bay now?

and of course, Skype still remains blocked...

Dubai blood donors

Just got a call from Al Wasl hospital that they need donations of group A or any Negative blood groups for an urgent case. I'm just running out the door to go down there. Sorry I don't have any more details, but you could call direct 04-219-3221 if you are interested.

I'd like to say the process is quick, painless and easy, but having been once before I can say it is certainly painless and easy, but not quick. Bring a book!

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday

Today is 2 October - Gandhi Jayanti - the birthdate of Mahatma Gandhi - the man the world remembers for bringing down a powerful empire through non-violence. The man the world needs most in these warring times.

The man we Indians fondly call "Bapu" - or father.

Here's why I admire Gandhi Ji, and this is not just because I have watched the recent movie 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' that has made Gandhigiri (Gandhihood) hot again.

6 reasons why I think Gandhi Ji was really cool:

1. He was fearless: "No one can escape death. Then why be afraid of it," he said in his speech on All India Radio on January 15, 1948. "In fact death is a friend who brings deliverance from suffering," he continued before he broke down and cried.

2. He taught people that they could agree to disagree: For example, in his prayer meetings, he would have scriptures of various religious read aloud. It would be asked if anyone disagreed. A few did. They were asked if they were willing to keep quiet while the reading was done. They agreed. The readings continued.

3. He sought no political office or power: Gandhi Ji held no government post in Independent India, although he was the one man who the entire nation listened to and followed. He became more than any politician ever did - the father of a nation - remembered by millions even today not just in India but around the world.

4. He won the respect even of those adversely affected by his freedom campaigns: Gandhi Ji's movement in India to wear homespun clothes and boycott foreign goods meant loss of jobs for textile mill workers in Britain. When he met them on his visit to the country, one of the British workers said: "I am one of the unemployed, but if I was in India I would say the same thing that Mr Gandhi is saying."

5. He had a sense of humour: Gandhi Ji's simple and minimal khadi dress was mocked at by many. Winston Churchill had called Gandhi Ji a "seditious fakir, striding half naked". After his meeting with the King of England, a reporter asked Gandhi Ji whether he had enough clothes on for the meeting. "The King," he quipped, "had enough on for both of us."

6. His favourite passage in the Bible was the Sermon on the Mount: So is mine!

Crossposted at Caferati, Who Wrote That?

Gandhi

Islamic Lectures

Hi everyone and Assalam Alaykum,

Hope your all doing good.

I thought i'd let everyone know if anyone is interested, there are two Islamic Lectures happening by Sheikh Abudullah Hakim Quick in Sharjah next Friday [13/10/06] and Saturday [14/10/06] at Qanat Al Qasba. Sheikh Abdullah Hakim quick is a revert to Islam.

Here's a brief note about the Shaykh:

Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick Ph.D. has travelled to more than 34 countries on lecture and educational tours. He embraced Islam in 1970 and thereafter pursued his studies at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he completed a BA from the College of Da'wah and Usul al-Din. He later read for his Masters degree and completed his PhD on the History of Islam in Africa at the University of Toronto, Canada. The focus of his thesis was the life of the great mujaddid of the 18th century, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fudi (Usman dan Fodio), the Amir of the Sokoto Caliphate. Shaykh Ibn Fudi succeeded in combining the best of fiqh, theology and spirituality, and successfully developed an Islamic State.

The Lectures will be in English. As far as i know, they'r open to both Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. All Lectures will start at 9:30 pm at Masrat Al Qasba. The first topic on Friday is, "Discover Islam" and the second topic on Saturday will be, "Reviving Islamic Faith in Ramadan."

Takecare everyone,
have a good day,
Ma'asalamah.

-Peace

UAE dOwn at 77

The Wolrd Bank's economic ranking list on 'Ease of Doing Business' ranked UAE at 77. Saudi which stood at 38 held the heightest rank amongst the GCC countries. So I wonder why not the leaders start competing on such rankings instead of tall buildings.

The rankings are very comprehensive and formulate the list based on a diversified set of characteristics like; Starting a business, Dealing with licenses, Employing workers etc.
I found this a very educative ranking list with a lot of useful resources and explanations. So let us be educated and share our experiences to make the best choice for our businesses and our future.

Life is Petty?

After a small, petty fight I got involved in with family members, slowly, and very quietly I slid away to my tiny room while rage in me was building like crashing waves, as I wanted to be included withà (و الكاظمين الغيظ). I flicked on the T.V. with no desire whatsoever accept to keep my mind off the matter. As I stared blindly at the empty screen, I instantly grasped the gravity of the topic: mbc1- 5awa6er Shabab with A7mad Shogeery. There will be no more dense topic to a Muslim than the "end", in Arabic referred to more appropriately as {هادم اللذات} In an instant my body gave away to a queer shudder, as a young footballer, full of life, full of energy playing on the field, suddenly collapsed. Suddenly. There were three other clips of others who were taken by the suddenness of death but this first one shocked me to my roots.

Did you think, like me, that you're, like me, too young?? Or that there will be signs?? That you, like me, have time??

I urge you to watch the show and to think of it, deeply.
http://www.thakafa.net/5oater2/index.shtml

death is Eminent, how did you prepare for it?
http://www.thakafa.net/5oater2/index-waseh.shtml

Indian Expats - share your Dubai story

Hi, everyone. I have posted here and on my blog before about how I am a PhD student from the US doing research on the Indian community in Dubai.

If you are an Indian expat who has spent a significant portion of your life here and is willing to be interviewed anonymously for a potential book project, please email me at nehavora1 at gmail dotcom. I'll just need about 30 minutes of your time, and you'll get a free coffee out of it and maybe even end up in print one day!

If you want more info about my interests, please feel free to ask away here or via email, and visit my blog which talks about what I have been up to in Dubai so far, among other things.

Thanks!!

flickr

Etisalat has now unblocked flickr.com
They should sexually segregate flickr so Etisalat never gets offended again.


Unforunately, skype remains blocked.

Equal Opportunity

This advertisement is in today's (01 October '06) Gulf News.



Isn't it true that this 'multinational' company wouldn't have dared to advertise the same in...

Australia
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

UK
Equal Opportunities Commission

USA
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

... or is it just me who is getting disturbed by this un'fair' business practice and blatant ethnic abuse ?

Every local and expat is turning a blind eye to this Human Rights violation by remaining mute to the uncivilised racial/ethnic profiling. In the first world, Gulf News would have had to pay a huge amount as a fine or could be sued for printing and publishing such an advertisement. Talk about publications in the UAE being 'socially responsible'!

At least during the month of Ramadan, everyone should take a few seconds to slow down - stop - and then ask a question or two to the self... about morality and social responsibilities.

My prayers are with every soul, irrespective of their ethnic background.

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi. (Tomorrow, 02 Oct, is Gandhi's birthday)

Etisalalalalalat

Looks like Etisalat has been owned by the TRA...

First...

"Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) has kicked off its celebrations of 30 years of existence by offering rewards to all mobile users in the UAE.

This scheme is designed to include all new customers as well as existing prepaid ‘Wasel’ and postpaid customers.
...
New subscribers to the prepaid ‘Wasel’ service will be offered the SIM card at Dh165, and will receive Dh165 worth of initial credit. The initial credit includes Dh10, which can be used for international calls, SMS and other value added services and Dh155 of promotional credit to mark Etisalat’s 30th Anniversary, which can be used for national calls made within the UAE on the Etisalat network, and will be valid for 60 days from the date of purchase."

-- from HERE


Second...

"ABU DHABI — The implementation of the discount schemes offered by Etisalat to Wasel and GSM subscribers as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations has been postponed by a few days because of some technical problems.

“The decision to defer the schemes was taken five minutes before midnight on Thursday,” a staff member at the Etisalat Contact Centre told an anxious caller who had subscribed to Wasel but did not automatically get the discount as promised by Etisalat. The Khaleej Times Complaints Corner was also flooded with calls from disappointed Etisalat customers.
...
An Etisalat official advised Wasel and GSM subscribers who opted for the discount schemes from September 29 onwards to give the details of the transactions to the Etisalat Contact Centre at 101. They will be entitled to the discounts once the technical snag has been dealt with and the schemes come into operation, he said. "

-- from HERE

Then the TRA steps in...

"
Dubai: etisalat, the UAE's main telecommunication operator, has postponed the launch of a special promotion after receiving an objection from the UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

The TRA said yesterday that etisalat has violated the Telecom Law, its License and TRA policy on price regulations.
...
The TRA has instructed etisalat to withdraw this offer, and stated that while etisalat's offer appeared to be attractive, it actually had the effect of locking customers to etisalat before competition begins.

The TRA said etisalat, with over 5 million subscribers is apparently willing to spend millions in order to lock-in customers, which is an act of anti competition.
...
The authority added that by announcing the promotion etisalat had violated the telecom law, its license and the TRA's price control policy by publicising a promotional offer for mobile services without having sought or received approval from the TRA.

-- from HERE

This should be entertaining.