Part 3 of our trip to The Emirate
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 4:51 pm
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) All pictures 'borrowed' from the web.
Most people know of Dubai as somwhere hot to take a holiday in the sun. I think it fair to say that many would be unable to pinpoint Dubai on the globe or to know that it is just one of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE, the others being Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Ajman, and Umn Al Quwain. Actually they take up most of the small peninsular to the south west of the Arabian Gulf. The remaining land area is part of Oman. Here is a picture of Dubai in 1950 and another in 2016 showing how this young country has developed
.
Until the 1960's the UAE was a British protectorate but due to the cost, Britain decided to withdraw its protection and in 1971 the independent Federation of United Arab Emirates was founded with its capital in Abu Dhabi. Oil and gas were found in the 60's so from the start the UAE had internal natural wealth.
This wealth allowed The Emirates to build a major road network and buildings the likes of which you will rarely see elsewhere around the world. In Dubai they have built the Burg Khalifa, tallest building in the world. Everywhere is air conditioned, there is an indoor ski slope with real snow in Dubai when outside temperatures can reach 50 degrees. There has been much reclamation from the sea including two palm islands on which there are hotels and residences. They have what is considered the number one seven star hotel in the world, The Burg Al Arab accessed by an underwater tunnel. Anything is possible in The Emirates, particularly in Dubai.
But all this comes at a cost. There are around 9 million people living in The Emirates of which approximately 15% are Emiratis, the men in the white Dishdashers and their wives in black. They are fiercely conservative and it is virtually impossible to become a naturalised Emirati. Of the 85% immigrant and ex pat population some, a very small proportion, have done well in business particularly people from India. a high proportion of the remainder are construction workers mostly from India and Pakistan. These are the people who actually build all the skyscraper blocks but are treated no better than slaves. Their accommodation is appalling, they are not allowed to strike or form a workers union, they recieve minimal pay and their passports are taken from them until their pre arranged leave period. Last time I heard was that only if the outside temperature reached 48 degrees could they stop work.
So with all the glitz and glamour around the coastal areas, there are real human rights issues behind the scenes.
As a holiday destination The Emirates are very good. High quality hotels and accommodation, first class service, best time to go October to April.
A few general scenes around Dubai including one of the Palm Islands, Marina beach and lofty appartment blocks
A downside is that they are expensive as a holiday destination but I would say you get what you pay for. We have now been six times to four of the seven Emirates. We won't be going again but have enjoyed watching this country grow over the last twenty or so years. But you must behave yourself, amputation is still a penalty under Sharia law.
Most people know of Dubai as somwhere hot to take a holiday in the sun. I think it fair to say that many would be unable to pinpoint Dubai on the globe or to know that it is just one of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE, the others being Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Ajman, and Umn Al Quwain. Actually they take up most of the small peninsular to the south west of the Arabian Gulf. The remaining land area is part of Oman. Here is a picture of Dubai in 1950 and another in 2016 showing how this young country has developed
.
Until the 1960's the UAE was a British protectorate but due to the cost, Britain decided to withdraw its protection and in 1971 the independent Federation of United Arab Emirates was founded with its capital in Abu Dhabi. Oil and gas were found in the 60's so from the start the UAE had internal natural wealth.
This wealth allowed The Emirates to build a major road network and buildings the likes of which you will rarely see elsewhere around the world. In Dubai they have built the Burg Khalifa, tallest building in the world. Everywhere is air conditioned, there is an indoor ski slope with real snow in Dubai when outside temperatures can reach 50 degrees. There has been much reclamation from the sea including two palm islands on which there are hotels and residences. They have what is considered the number one seven star hotel in the world, The Burg Al Arab accessed by an underwater tunnel. Anything is possible in The Emirates, particularly in Dubai.
But all this comes at a cost. There are around 9 million people living in The Emirates of which approximately 15% are Emiratis, the men in the white Dishdashers and their wives in black. They are fiercely conservative and it is virtually impossible to become a naturalised Emirati. Of the 85% immigrant and ex pat population some, a very small proportion, have done well in business particularly people from India. a high proportion of the remainder are construction workers mostly from India and Pakistan. These are the people who actually build all the skyscraper blocks but are treated no better than slaves. Their accommodation is appalling, they are not allowed to strike or form a workers union, they recieve minimal pay and their passports are taken from them until their pre arranged leave period. Last time I heard was that only if the outside temperature reached 48 degrees could they stop work.
So with all the glitz and glamour around the coastal areas, there are real human rights issues behind the scenes.
As a holiday destination The Emirates are very good. High quality hotels and accommodation, first class service, best time to go October to April.
A few general scenes around Dubai including one of the Palm Islands, Marina beach and lofty appartment blocks
A downside is that they are expensive as a holiday destination but I would say you get what you pay for. We have now been six times to four of the seven Emirates. We won't be going again but have enjoyed watching this country grow over the last twenty or so years. But you must behave yourself, amputation is still a penalty under Sharia law.