Probably very true:

A good portion of the news coming out of the Gulf was typed up by the government propaganda ministries. Almost every time I see (UAE) next to an article, I'm immediately skeptical as the article is usually a puff piece about some new, marvelous, "world's best," Guiness record breaking project going on in Dubai. It's basically an article that could easily be broadcast on Sama Dubai, the Dubai government's official Dubai promoting channel that broadcasts wonderful things about Dubai 24/7.

Biased Media in the Middle East From Lebanese Political Journal

"Sorry, we have a small economy and 3 years is not enough time. If things work out well, we'll join you in the party of all parties. Best wishes. QABOOS "

Oman ‘will not join Gulf monetary union in 2010’

The skyscraper curse is an unscientific correlation between tallest building projects and financial crises. History shows numerous examples of this.

Be it in Kuala Lumpur in 1997, Chicago in 1974, New York in 1930 or the biblical Tower of Babel long ago, mankind's penchant for architectural overreach is a strangely reliable omen of troubles.

It's an interesting theory, and while the announcement of all the "tall building" projects in Dubai was not a direct result of problems in the economy, it might have been part of the "ramp effect" that caused people to rush in to unchartered territories. The height is symbolic of the heights that leaders see to what can be achieved here in the UAE. However, skyscrapers are also good curtains shadowing those things underneath that might not be so successful. Whether you believe in the former or the latter, the skyscraper curse is one that always looms, especially for those that believe that the competition for the skies marks the beginning of the end of the world. For those that got stung by the Middle East stock market crash, the symbol of all these tall buildings is a constant reminder of when they thought their world had collapsed.

The `Skyscraper Curse' Is Worth Watching in 2007: William Pesek

Islamic Investor buys Jewish Art Deco.

A timely article from the Economist:

America should worry more about fixed exchange rates in the Gulf than the gently rising Chinese yuan

It might be best for the Gulf states as well as the world economy if they abandoned their dollar pegs and shifted to some sort of currency basket. A more flexible exchange-rate regime would allow them to regain control of their monetary policies and so cool down their overheating economies. By pegging their exchange rates to the dollar, they have had to adopt America's monetary policy, leaving real interest rates too low (often negative) for such fast-growing economies. Credit is growing too rapidly, inflation is rising and the prices of assets, especially property in places such as Dubai, have exploded.

This, along with massive current account deficits usually, held in dollars, could be the downfall of the dollar as we know it:

Counting only the Middle East oil exporters, the surplus has surged from $30 billion in 2002 to an estimated $280 billion this year. One reason why this gets much less attention than the smaller $160 billion increase in China is that only a fraction of it has gone into official reserves, which are publicly reported. Most of it is stashed in government oil-stabilisation or investment funds, such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which are much more secretive than the People's Bank of China—but which probably hold just as many dollar assets.

The petrodollar peg

The long awaited Arab Human Development Report from the UN points out a number of big ticket items, with much of the focus on the inequality of women. Ask any Arab, and they have high esteem for women, and they are respected across the Middle East. But the fact remains, there is an inequality between men and women, and that is holding back Arabs in general.

The latest report debunks the Arab conspiracy theory that promoting women's rights is part of a Western plot against Islam. On the contrary, the panelists point out, the advancement of women has long been an Arab goal — Egyptian women's rights organizations date back to 1881, for example. "The rise of Arab women," the report argues, "is in fact a prerequisite for an Arab renaissance and causally linked to the fate of the Arab world and its achievement of human development."

The report then goes on to draw a devastating picture of the plight of Arab women — while thoughtfully examining the complex background to the issue, and offering some creative proposals for progress.

This report is no doubt the first of many steps towards equality.

What's Holding Back Arab Women?
Arab nations urged to improve conditions, status for women
Arab women 'are still being denied equal opportunities'
UN Report: Low Position of Women Hinders Arab Societies

A camel foams at the mouth as he is whipped by a robot jockey during a race at Nad al-Sheba on December 6, 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the first season that robotic jockeys have been used to race camels in Dubai.

The Camel Rights Watch are lobbying for a ban of camels, and robot camels will no doubt be on the race course within 3 years.

From Foreign Policy

Remember the Million Dollar Home Page by Alex Tew. And then, remember the hundreds of sites that copied the concept, some with success, but mostly big time failure. None in the UAE did very well. Here are two such examples. Well, now we Alex has started another venture, Pixelotto, which people have already started buying into. It probably veers on that haram/halal borderline that the scratch cards in the malls do, so expect some supposed UAE entrepreneur will copy the concept and send more pixels to the pixel graveyard.

Who made it from the UAE?

Burj Al Arab And JBH.

Methinks, noone has visited the UAE this year.

The Forbes 400

Hat tip to Local Expat for spotting this report. Part of the finding were released earlier, but the report is the detail behind what goes on, all in the public domain, and with a significant level of punch. Although things are supposedly on the up, there is no doubt that the situation is less than ideal. And this is probably not the best way to end 2006. There are recommendations to the UAE, the country where this is all takes place, to the countries that supply the workers, and to countries that are negotiating FTAs with the UAE to stipulate that this situation must be addressed before any agreement is ratified.

Here are the top line recommendations:

To the Government of the United Arab Emirates
1. Establish an independent commission to investigate and publicly report on the situation of migrant workers in the country.
2. Prohibit companies from doing business with recruitment agencies, in the UAE and abroad, that charge workers fees for travel, visas, employment contracts, or anything else. Prosecute and implement significant penalties for employers and recruiting agencies that violate the law.
3. Aggressively investigate and prosecute employers who violate other provisions of the UAE labor law. Impose meaningful and consequential penalties on companies that violate workers’ rights, to put an end to the present atmosphere of impunity.
4. Provide quantitative and qualitative data on labor disputes, deaths and injuries at construction sites, and government actions to address these issues.
5. Increase substantially the number of inspectors responsible for overseeing the private sector’s treatment of migrant construction workers. Ensure that they carry out their duties to inspect construction sites to verify that they are safe and meet the requirements of law.
6. Take immediate action to inform and educate migrant construction workers arriving for employment in the UAE of their rights under UAE law.
7. Abide by the obligation under the UAE labor law of 1980 to implement a minimum wage.
8. Allow for the establishment of genuine and independent human rights and workers’ rights organizations.
9. Ratify the International Labour Organization’s Conventions No. 87 and No. 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining, and amend UAE labor law to incorporate the conventions’ protections.
10. Ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 155 on occupational safety and health.
11. Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

To the Governments of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
1. Enhance labor departments of your embassies and consulates in the UAE to assist migrant construction workers from your country whose rights are violated by their employers.
2. Raise formally with your counterparts in the UAE the importance of the UAE government’s establishing an independent commission to investigate and report on labor-related abuses of migrant construction workers.
3. Urge the UAE’s Ministry of Labor to fully implement its labor laws and to hold violators fully accountable under its laws.
4. Request immediate and full disclosure of causes of death when your country’s citizens suffer fatal injuries, and regular reports of all workplace injuries suffered by your citizens.

To the Governments of the United States, the European Union, and Australia
1. Condition the ratification of free trade agreements with the government of the UAE on improved protection for workers’ rights. In particular, insist that prior to adoption of the accords, the UAE reform its labor laws to bring them into compliance with international workers’ rights standards, including by explicitly and fully protecting workers’ right to organize, bargain collectively, and strike. Further require that, before ratification of the agreements, the UAE also take the steps necessary to effectively enforce its labor laws, including by adopting a minimum wage provision and following the other recommendations for improved enforcement set forth above.
2. Include in free trade agreements with the government of the UAE strong, binding, and enforceable workers’ rights provisions that require that parties’ labor laws conform with international standards and that the parties effectively enforce those labor laws.

I have no doubt that things are being done, in the background, especially since the initial data gathering happened in q1 2006. However, the response to Hadi Ghaemi's letter paints a picture that there is not really a problem. The response seems only to qualify the concept of "migrant workers", and that is not applicable to the UAE "temporary workers", thus negating any issues, if there were any. The tone of that letter, sent on behalf of HE Ali Al Kaabi, worries me. (See Appendix 1 and 2)

Never assume anything is fact. Read the report. Get the view of the media. See if you can see the situation firsthand. Then, take away the spin, the gloss, and whatever else that has been thrown in and make your own informed opinion. And then remember, that this is all about people's lives.

Building Towers, Cheating Workers - Human Rights Watch

Although somewhat less pertinent to current UAE censorship, with some recent relaxation by the TRA and Etisalat, the Economist covers the game between those fighting for free speech worldwide and those who don't want it. It truly is a game of cat and mouse. As we have seen, the mouse sometimes runs free, but, on occasion, gets trapped:

The anti-censorship community is developing new ways to evade censors in response. For example, when China blocks a proxy (Anonymouse.org's fate in that country), internet users can find a replacement by consulting a growing number of websites that compile and post lists of working proxies. E-mailed newsletters that provide links to proxy servers are also available. Some anti-censorship organisations spread the word via instant-messaging services: people looking for a proxy simply send an instant message to one of these groups and immediately receive an automated reply with a recently updated list of proxies.

With Iran's recent clampdown on "unholy sites", this is highly topical.

Cat and mouse, on the web

This month's Mckinsey Quarterly (online) has an interview with His Highness. As one of the most influential in the region, it is a must read. Here is a relevant question:

The Quarterly: Are you worried that some of your neighbors in the Gulf are moving ahead more quickly?

Alwaleed: Saudi Arabia is the anchor of the region, just as Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom matter economically much more than Slovakia, Poland, or Greece in Europe. I don’t agree that we will be left behind, but we have to take lessons from what is happening now in, say, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is quite possible to be politically conservative and at the same time to encourage reform. In Saudi Arabia we have to unlink political conservatism from economic liberalism. There are still some hiccups in this respect.

Read the full interview, and sign up if you don't have access!

Interested in an RSS reader, that is Arabic based?
Use Snarfer - it's linked in to bloglines - which I think is a first. Would be interested in any Arabic readers' views on this. Contact me in the usual way or leave a comment.

$11bn dollars, a company called Limitless, and a new project called the Great Domodedovo. It all has hallmark of a Dubai project, but with a name like Domedovo, you know it is probably going to be in not the Russians in Dubai, but the Dubaians in Russia.

Dubai developer to construct Russia city
Limitless unveils maiden foray into Russian market

Lessons in how to manage corruption? Word of advice, beware of the poison in your sushi....

That's what the psychos want Muslims to wear.

In U.S., fear and distrust of Muslims runs deep

It sees a certainty:
Liverpool in Dubai buyout?
Anfield in £450m Dubai buyout

but someone else has different ideas...
Harlem Globetrotters founder on verge of £450M Liverpool deal

The future in Dubai.

Get to work by helicopter. Well, kinda.

From the Sunday Times:

every time you hear the “exciting new tourist destination” argument you can be sure there is an opportunistic building bubble on. Take Dubai. The city has become nothing but a huge building site. Hundreds of residential super towers are being built and it is estimated that over 50,000 properties will be completed next year and another 60,000 the year after.

If the population grows at 7%, says the Egyptian investment bank Prime Group, that means there will be 33,000 spare units in 2008. To fill those up with tourists, at least 1.7m people will have to take one-week holidays to Dubai. Is it really that nice? I doubt it. Analysts at Standard Chartered say they expect Dubai property prices to fall 20%-30% in the next two or three years.

Expect some fall out. Not sure I go with all the just the basic arguments. I conversed with a leading guru, last year, and his view on what was going on in Dubai was along the lines of "it's not normal". "Don't quote me on it, but what is going on in the Middle East is a very different market dynamic than what we are used to. It will stabiilise in a different way". What you can say is this - perhaps it is a little bi of a bubble, but dropping the price a little will give some stability. However, it is all about future demand, not really on what has gone on before. And that is where the market forces come into play.

With the Indians outnumbering the locals in Dubai, many will find some amusement in this short ditty, both Indians and non, meant only in jest. Bah Humbug in advance!

I am really not quite sure about why this year's Abu Dhabi Summit did not get as much coverage in the local press, bar the odd press release as it did overseas, especially considering its success last year. Although 2005 (under different management) brought the biggest name possible and one of the most influential on the planet, namely Clinton, this years line up was equal to the previous billing in many respects. For girl power alone, Sheikha Lubna, is one of those role models, (in addition to Queen Rania of Jordan), who is an excellent speaker and sends out a positive message about the Arab world.

This are the main points:

Schroder called on the world leaders to focus on providing job opportunities and developing free global trade to achieve global security and stability. He cited GCC countries as a good example for security and stability, adding that monetary union, scheduled for 2010, will further push the region to the forefront of global economy.

Sheikha Lubna attributed the respectable status attained by UAE women to the support given by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. She urged UAE women to "make the change without fearing failure." Sheikha Lubna affirmed that Islam does not object to woman taking work, noting that some try to "politicize Islam" to prevent her from work.

George Bush said that the voices of extremism will not derail peoples' aspirations for tolerance, peace and progress. He added that building savvy and wise leaders is the best way to stamp out chaos, extremism and conflicts in the world.

But this Summit was memorable for other things:

Former Singapore leader Lee Kuan Yew said

"You have a system that is producing suicide bombers. They say 'Yes I want to die and I want you to die,'" Lee told the World Leadership Summit in the Emirates capital Abu Dhabi. "You have a system that is producing suicide bombers. They say 'Yes I want to die and I want you to die,'" Lee told the World Leadership Summit in the Emirates capital Abu Dhabi. "You'll have a cloud of dust and a desert."

But even more shocking was how Bush Sr got mocked about his support for his son, dubya:

"My son is an honest man," Bush told Gulf Arabs attending a leadership conference here. "He is working hard for peace. It takes a lot of guts to get up and tell a father about his son in those terms when I just told you the thing that matters in my heart is my family." Bush added: "How come everybody wants to come to the United States if the United States is so bad?"

The oil-rich Persian Gulf used to be safe territory for former president Bush, an oil man who brought Arab leaders together in a coalition that drove Saddam Hussein's troops out of Kuwait in 1991. But gratitude for the elder Bush, who served as president from 1989-93, was overshadowed by the foreign policy of his son, whose invasion of Iraq and support for Israel are deeply unpopular here.

"We do not respect your son. We do not respect what he's doing all over the world," a woman audience member bluntly told Bush after his keynote speech.

Bush appeared stunned as the audience of young business leaders whooped and whistled in approval.

Amusing. I'm looking forward to next year already. Hopefully, they'll have Kofi Annan, Tony Blair and Barack Obama as the speakers.

(btw, if you haven't seen Obama speaking, whether or not you agree with his policies, he is truly impressive. Check out his 2004 DNC speech [Part 1], [Part 2]. Inspiring Stuff. Levitt (freakonomics) agrees also. The first black president?)

Marie Claire is not read by Grapeshisha, but apparently there is a good piece on Dubai fashionistas, entitled Mecca Stars in this December's edition. Worth a peek when passing through the Spinneys/Geant/Carrefour aisles on your weekly shop.

Hat tip: Mahranis Box

The margins on books are minimal, and even that is being eroded away in numerous western states through the advent of the technology. Books are venturing towards antiques, and although they will never go away, you need to look at the sales of books going down worldwide. The internet and social communities will begin to share customised information, other things the are crucial are e-ink and the take up of the Sony Reader (the ipod for books?). And for those that doubt the technology, note that the Chinese government just kitted out all the school kids with the Sony Reader. It's not going away. Technology is not going away.

So, why would Borders want to be in the Middle East - and Dubai? Margins are higher because they can charge a premium for overseas cost; inherently there aren't enough bookstores per capita; and more importantly - technology will take longer to come here due to the slow speed to market in the region and of arabised literature.

I'm not knocking more bookstores. That in itself is a very good thing to educate the youth and the leaders of tomorrow, but Dubai needs to look at something of this nature that would speed up the take up of technology. As I said, technology is not going away. Embrace it.

In other semi-related news - Bookcase 'trap' killed US woman

Sepp Blatter plus 3000 or so football delegates will discuss football, the money in football, and how to make more money from football. However, this will be the last time that Soccerex will be held in Dubai. South Africa takes the mantle next year.

Soccerex ready for final Dubai fixture

The only hope that the English have is the Rugby 7s. All the talk is whether you are going or not. And this year, more people than ever will fly in to support their teams. Really, it is a big excuse for a party for those who attend. And maybe the English will have something to cheer about after their poor showings under Andy Robinson. And if they do, they will be drinking in celebration rather than drowning their sorrows as they have done more often than not recently (Ashes/Football/everything)

Dubai Rugby 7s

Apparently the latest greatest thing that will surely grace the beaches of Dubai will be the Burkhini.



Supposedly, a mixture between a burkha and a bikini,(although some aliken it to an old fashioned swimsuit) this will allow those ladies who don't wish to share the view of their flesh to the 'toms', to partake in water activity. While this might not put an end to the perhaps odd sight of full abayas floating in the sea, it might change the landscape of the ladies beach or ladies day at Wild Wadi. We have mentioned the sports hijab before, which originated from the Netherlands. This culturally sensitive attire comes from Oz. Good on ya mate.

From Ahiida - Dynamic Swimwear and sportswear for today's Muslim Female.

The Guardian Newspaper carries an article that seems to accept the fact that Abu Dhabi has taken on the New Cultural Capital, cementing its differentiation from Dubai. However, the article spends as much space highlighting the political ambitions of Chirac to link to the Middle East than it does on the Louvre and on the importance of Culture. It goes further in suggesting that this type of project is France trying to flex its muscles overseas.

"My feeling is this is a project more determined by political than artistic considerations," Philippe Régnier, editor of the French paper Journal des Arts, told the Guardian. "It is about France's presence in the region and its economic concerns. This isn't a project piloted by the museum or its curators, it has been taken over by the ministry of culture."

But with Abu Dhabi paying a rumoured €750m for the prestige, some might say that this is more about Abu Dhabi buying itself onto the world stage.

from the Guardian

Click here for the answer

...that will be built, many at Bawadi, there will need to be some sort of gimmick to each of them. I guarantee one of them will have this:


The Luxor hydro massage bathtub with a 42″ auto-rising plasma TV, features a 14” LCD screen with video input, adjustable air & water massage jets at the bottom with underwater lighting at the base and built in shampoo and body wash dispensers.

From Bornrich

Transcript of an interview given by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the London-based Arabic daily Al Sharq Al Awsat
posted on 20/11/2006
Q: Two years after the death of Sheikh Zayed, one senses an overlapping between the previous era, marked by significant reforms in the areas of politics and development, and the current era under your leadership, with growing ambitions and aspirations. Does this over-lapping provide any thrust to come up with new formulae for the handling of responsibilities or do you feel simply that the sustaining of Sheikh Zayed's rich legacy adds to your expanded responsibilities in the period ahead?

A: It is not just a feeling, but a reality. Activity in any given society is not undertaken within isolated or separate circles but as part of a well-linked chain, provided that the society's objectives are clear and specific and as long as the transition process is smoothly taking place. In the case of the UAE, both requirements are met and, therefore, an overlapping is something that is not only expected but is also desired. We are not starting from scratch - we still take our inspiration from that rich experience of the past to continue serving our country and our people.
There is no doubt that the achievements made during the reign of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan put additional duties upon us, as we need to safeguard the achievements made and to continue with the development and protection of the (UAE) federation in such a way as to enable it to adapt to the rapid changes in regional and international affairs.
Perhaps the most important legacy left by Sheikh Zayed is the clarity of the goals that he laid down. Though governed by development needs and standards, those goals are in essence are driven by humanity and by our deep-rooted traditions. They reflect the special characteristics of the UAE citizen, who is a proud Arab and Muslim.
In my speech last year on the occasion of the federation's 34th anniversary, I said that we are entering a new era we called "the enabling era", which is distinct from the previous "foundation era". I said that both eras compliment each other, seek to reach the same goals and ends.

Read the whole thing from WAM

Some feel a little bitter about that water that is nearby. The metric of google occurrences seems to be the benchmark of what is correct these days:

Until about a year ago a Google search for the term "Arabian Gulf"‌ in the news, would generate almost 900 results. But this number has now gone down to less than 400 thank to the efforts made by an independent and small group of Persians (Iranians).

Whatever one thinks, apparently establishing oneself in the Gulf provides a good vantage point to see what is going on in Persia.

To the uninitiated, the concept of the DIC would seem to be more than it actually is. I have had cause to listen to some people dig holes as deep as to say "It's the silicon valley of the Middle East". That is a gross exaggeration. I don't think there is anything close to the level of creativity to match SV any time soon, not in many cities, and certainly not in Dubai. In fact Dubai and the Internet continue to veer further away from each other, with DIC not able to provide it's residents the freedom that the term "free zone" might allude to. And the metrics of success these days appears to be % of services online, which the Dubai Municipality and Dubai International Airport recently shouted about. With even Dubai World hee-hawing about the fact that it has redesigned its website, can someone please put things into perspective? Please do something groundbreaking with the medium of the Internet that would result in the West sitting up and taking stock. Then we can rename DIC with its full title - Dubai Internet City.

Hetq Online investigate the Armenian Prostitutes in Dubai, in their documentary, Desert Nights. While the focus is on Armenian, this is one of the more in depth, on the ground detailed exposes of the sex trade in Dubai and the UAE. Perhaps things have changed since 2004. Perhaps not. Worth viewing, though long.

I like the term. It describes a few people I have met. However, this is an interesting interview of the new wave of Muslim girls in the West trying to change perceptions of Islam, and addressing social isolation of Mulsims in the UK, as well as to promote a more inclusive peace process in the Middle East.


SF: And that's the second ... What does the hijab mean to you?

IJ: I can't remember a moment when I decided to wear it. I often say it grew over my head. As I got older, and I know this sounds stupid, I realised how much we are judged by how we look. I know I am gorgeous, that I have a beautiful body. It's the bit of me that is clever and caring that you can't see. The hijab in a way makes you naked.

The millions of reasons to see Islam in a new light

Viagra is banned in the UAE, and can get you in trouble, even if you have a certificate to prove your floppiness. Where is Dallas Austin's lawyer when you need him?

Impotent man jailed on drug charge

Who are the broadcasters of tomorrow? The UAE students, of course. The blog features work of students in the United Arab Emirates. The ideas expressed are captured on video and edited by broadcast journalism students. It has potential to be very interesting indeed, and I hope that it gets an audience.

Broadcasters of Tomorrow

In a groundbreaking step, Abu Dhabi has position itself at the forefront of the development of clean energy technologies. In a joint move with Shell, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Adfec) has set up a fund that will fund projects to reduce C02 emissions:

Once certified under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change these projects are given credits – certified emission reductions or CERs – which can be converted into emission permits and sold to nations or companies in need of such credits.

In an ideal scenario, both the developing and developed nation would benefit: a developing nation like China, which is a huge emitter of harmful gases because many of its factories are based on old technology, would benefit from the inward investment from the project, as well as access to "green" technology; a developed nation such as Britain, would be able to buy the permits to help it meet targets set by the Kyoto Protocol.

A year ago, Bill Clinton urged the leaders of the Middle East at the Abu Dhabi Leadership Summit to use energy to the greater good of mankind. It seems as if that advice has been taken on board.

Shell cuts green deal with Abu Dhabi

Hey, guess what?

Originally due on air in late 2005, then spring of this year, then September, the long-delayed 24-hour global channel, providing news with a Middle Eastern perspective will at last start on Wednesday.

Al Jazeera cometh.

The West perceives it as the mouthpiece of terrorism.

The other "negative stuff ' - the perception that al-Jazeera is a mouthpiece for terrorists, the baseless rumour that it broadcast beheadings - is already dissipating and will drift away as the scales drop from western eyes, Phillips confidently predicts. Omaar is more forthright. "I get very annoyed and frustrated. I have worked a lot with al-Jazeera journalists across the world. Every single assertion is based on hearsay and is totally devoid of fact. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Arabic channel and I think their journalism is excellent," he says, pointing out that it gets just as much flak from Middle Eastern regimes as the west.


Objectives know it as untainted journalism. There is no doubt it will cause a storm, but will it break the English speaking market? With Frost, Khan and Omar, there is hope. Could this be the turning point of modern day journalism? That's a hope too far, but some fingers are secretly crossed.

From Look east (guardian) Free sign up required.

I hadn't seen the real story, until I read it again. It's not that big a deal, but in the context of Dubai, and those who jest about such things - some will find this a little amusing.

Dubai Government, which owns the bulk of the DFM, is putting shares in the stock market up for sale through its own bourse.

Yes, it has finally happened. Dubai is selling itself.

Background: Asharq Alawsat

The petrodollar can lead to stronger plays in other markets. The result of being a producer of energy means that the cost of energy to yourself is especially and you can use that cost saving to your advantage. That is precisely what Abu Dhabi intends to do, adding more capacity to the UAE's sole aluminium producer Dubal. What can this do as far as market share. 10% of the world's aluminium produced in the UAE within 10 years. European companies will find it increasingly difficult to compete on price, and with the UAE's low cost muscle and the purchasing of best practice, there is not much that can be done about it.

From The Standard

Here is what they have to say:

The country ought to embrace modernity not only in its skylines but in its treatment of construction workers who earn as little as $135 a month in a country where the average monthly wage is $2,100, Human Rights Watch says. The workers often toil for two or three years to pay off debts to unscrupulous labor recruiters, the report states.

"There's no reason for a global economic powerhouse like the U.A.E. to tolerate abusive and exploitative labor practices," said Human Rights Watch researcher Hadi Ghaemi. "None of this construction would be possible without these imported workers."

Associated Press report

A good article from the Washington Foreign Service covering bloggers, primarily in Saudi:

Farhan is part of a growing wave of young Arabs who have turned to blogging to bypass the restrictions on free expression in a predominantly authoritarian, conservative and Muslim region. Blogging is so novel here that the equivalent term in Arabic, tadween, to chronicle, was coined only this year. But it has spread rapidly among the increasingly urban youth and in the process has loosened the limits of what’s open for discussion.

Activists have used their blogs to organize demonstrations and boycotts, and to criticize corruption and government policies. The less politically inclined have turned them into forums for heated debates on religion and a place to share personal stories and sexual fantasies.

Bloggers Challenge Longtime Cultural, Political Restrictions

In some parts of the world, anything Islamic is frowned upon, with associations to 9/11 , terrorism and the radicals. However, in a growing area, anything Islamic is big business, and the fact the the DFM is trying to restructure itself as Sharia, can be considered by some to be a revamp to get the middle ground business that may be looking for a halal marketplace for their product. Is it a marketing exercise or simply savvy business sense?

Dubai market becomes first Islamic bourse
DFM to go Shariah compliant

NYT take on the workers in Dubai:

They typically live in a Dickensian world of squalor, working 12-hour shifts six days a week, often denied their wages of about $150 per month for months at a time. Most of them secure work by taking out loans from recruiting agencies at home to get here, forcing most to stay on for years without seeing their families and loved ones. The workmen have become prevalent in Dubai’s public parks and beaches as their numbers have swelled, and because of the lechery-on-the-beach factor, they are especially noticeable at this time of year.

There is a sever amount of testosterone in Dubai, where the male to female ration is the best in the world (I mean highest).And this is in main due to the number of workers in the UAE to build and toil. With so many men, you have to expect some lechery. Consider a cell block, and one fair maiden walks through in a swimsuit - the least you would get would be a wolf whistle.

Dubai Swats Pests Ogling Beach Beauties -NYT