Monday, October 22, 2007

Dubai World

My brother drove me to Dubai yesterday to meet Aaida. As we crossed the first interchange into the city, I noticed the banner on it:

The Sun Never Sets on Dubai World


It sent a shiver down my spine. I was hesitant about posting such an arrogant statement on my blog. This punch line reeks of all the arrogance there ever could be. Why can't they add a Mashallah or Alhamdulillah or something? A lot of things about the development in Dubai baffle me. Every now and then you have to turn around and go, "are they Muslims?".
It's a Muslim country. The rulers and everyone here know the teachings of Islam. They know the Islamic history. Makkah is not too far away.
And yet?

5 comments:

youngMuslimah said...

assalamu'alaikum

I know!! it sucks. UAE has changed a lot in the past 5 years. Thing is they are actually building a foundation for the future. unlike saudi arabia they dont have a lot of oil and want to base their economy on tourism. S

eeing the scyscrapers on sheikh zayed road reminds me of the Prophet salAllahu alayhee wasallams hadith..you know the signs of the Last Day.It's a great reminder..

Humairah Irfan said...

walaikum as salam
There's nothing wrong with development. In the time of Umar bin Abdul Aziz, there was no one to give charity to. The problem is with licensing alcohol, allowing all types of lewdness and promiscuity, and not uplifting the people with compulsory education.
You're right about the Signs of the Last Day. Very scary..yet, it's inevitable.

MT said...

you went to visit the same Aaida that used to be at uoft ? What's she doing in dubai ?

Humairah Irfan said...

After completing her masters @ Hamilton, Aaida moved back to Kuwait in September to her parents. She was attending a 2 day conference in Dubai (Arab Women's forum)- hence my really short visit to meet her @ all costs!
Time flies, eh?

Anonymous said...

Reminds of the story of the people of 'Ad whom took great pride in their majestic towers that still dazzle those who lay eyes upon them today.