They do more than just build fancy resorts to lure the rich celebrities.
They also spend lots of money on improving the city's infrastructure as well. That directly increases the quality of life for the citizens.
It's about the wealth of the country. Most of the citizens there are middle upper class, which is why they are more civilized.
Places like Saudi Arabia are mostly poor, therefore you get extremist views.
Most all Muslim countries whose citizens are well off are as liberal as Dubai.
In fact, even in Saudi Arabia, most of the upper middle class have either reasonable or favorable opinions of the United States.
Hardly no women in Dubai work, although they are educated, because the government gives them money to provide for themselves. Sort of like welfare for the upper middle class.
And building resorts does help the citizens because the citizens work in those resorts.
Dubai also has no taxes.
unlike many countries *around* dubai, dubai itself has decided it wants to open up to foreigners, develop a business and commerce system that works, and generally model itself after recently successful economies such as china and india. There's a book called "the world is flat" which talks about global outsourcing and offshoring, and the author specifically mentions dubai as an example of what is possible. compared to so many other middle east areas they are apparently willing to change.
I've been there. My uncle lives there and loves it a lot. No taxes. Traditionally it was impossible to own land even if you live there your entire life there if you are a foreign worker. They have laid back their restrictions a bit, but it is disappointing that you could live there your whole life, work hard for the city itself, and still never be able to even reach equality with others who have done virtually nothing. They open their doors to foreigners only b/c they are so dependent on them. You have little to no rights to speak of (either as a citzen or foreign worker), no one has real voting power, etc. Money isn't worth feeling like a 2nd class citizen to me.
RaistlinZ
Diamond Member
- Oct 15, 2001
- 7,470
- 9
- 91
The buildings there are quite breathtakting. They already have the most lavish hotel in the world (I think it's the only 7-Star hotel in the world).
Plus, they will have the world's tallest building in 2008.
Plus, they will have the world's tallest building in 2008.
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
what about permanent residents? I'm a citizen of India and I do currently own land there, but i am considering a US citizenship...I need to find out about dual citizenship and the various intricacies regarding that sort of stuff
UNCjigga
Lifer
- Dec 12, 2000
- 25,630
- 10,337
- 136
Yeah the difference between Saudi Arabia and UAE is fvcking night and day, especially in Dubai. The difference is they actually HAVE A MIDDLE CLASS. Sure the monarchy controls all the oil and foreign investment but it invests in schools, hospitals and the infrastructure necessary so that their citizens can work and live like all the ex-pats. This wasn't always the case, though they've been getting better and better since the 80's.
I have family that grew up in Dubai (and now lives in Texas) and they keep going back to visit and they say its getting better and better. Before it was all the ex-pats who had all the best jobs, best housing etc. But that's the way it is in every other Arab oil-based economy. My dad does business in Saudi Arabia and he says the local economy there is a joke. He was thinking about expanding his business out there and decided against it once he got to know the climate better (and this is before the rise of the Wahabi's mind you.) Basically all the Indians, Pakistanis and other educated expats run all the businesses. They all live in exclusive enclaves with private security, private transportation etc. and almost live completely isolated from the rest of the public. Example...walk into any of the expat bars, clubs, restaurants and its like any other city in the Western world. Walk into a Saudi 'bar', and there's no alcohol, and men and women have separate entrances and sit separately in public.
I digress, but the thing that caught my dad's attention is how these businesses are required BY LAW to hire locals, and the locals all get the worst jobs because they are NOT EDUCATED. And because the locals are guaranteed almost 100% job security they barely work (its illegal to fire a Saudi without a permit!) They have become so lazy, but they get paid. Sh!tty wages but they don't seem to care. Meanwhile over 70% of the country is living in poverty (those who can't get jobs) and their kids are going to these Wahabi schools and blaming the West for all their problems. HEY KID, go to SCHOOL and you'll realize ITS YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT'S FAULT!
I have family that grew up in Dubai (and now lives in Texas) and they keep going back to visit and they say its getting better and better. Before it was all the ex-pats who had all the best jobs, best housing etc. But that's the way it is in every other Arab oil-based economy. My dad does business in Saudi Arabia and he says the local economy there is a joke. He was thinking about expanding his business out there and decided against it once he got to know the climate better (and this is before the rise of the Wahabi's mind you.) Basically all the Indians, Pakistanis and other educated expats run all the businesses. They all live in exclusive enclaves with private security, private transportation etc. and almost live completely isolated from the rest of the public. Example...walk into any of the expat bars, clubs, restaurants and its like any other city in the Western world. Walk into a Saudi 'bar', and there's no alcohol, and men and women have separate entrances and sit separately in public.
I digress, but the thing that caught my dad's attention is how these businesses are required BY LAW to hire locals, and the locals all get the worst jobs because they are NOT EDUCATED. And because the locals are guaranteed almost 100% job security they barely work (its illegal to fire a Saudi without a permit!) They have become so lazy, but they get paid. Sh!tty wages but they don't seem to care. Meanwhile over 70% of the country is living in poverty (those who can't get jobs) and their kids are going to these Wahabi schools and blaming the West for all their problems. HEY KID, go to SCHOOL and you'll realize ITS YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT'S FAULT!
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
well thats the problem isnt it...why would the kid go to school when it looks like he doesnt have any future...its the age old problem that we havent been able to fix
No non citizen cannot own land in dubai, period. Even if you're a permanent resident. Also, tehre's no way to gain citizenship other than through marriage AFAIK.
However, there's a very common and legal work around for ownership problem. Most foreigners that want to start a company or own land in dubai find a local who's willing to sponsor them. Then they pay him some sum to be the front for the company. This is quite legal, I believe and very common. Pretty wise idea by the government - helps its citizens with aditional income. Now companies like MS, Oracle, Mercedes, etc need to find a local businessman to run their operations in UAE.
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
I have a few friends from UAE and they tell me most of the citizens despise people form countries like India or Pakistan because they own alot of the business's and drive around in Lamborghini's, pretty much getting rich off the hospitality of uae.
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
thats true... They have begun introducing 99 year leases which they smartly call FREEHOLD properties although in reality, it would be a LEASEHOLD... The problem with Dubai as with any other arab nation is that they have some ambiguous laws and in the end, one cantquestion them since its a sheikhdom. However, dubai is definately much more transperent than the other middle eastern governments. Its getting better by the day with better infrastructure and development.
I remember 10-15 years ago when my parents moved to an apartment building on Sheikh Zayed road, there was sand all around them and the taxi drivers used to hate dropping them home because they knew that they would not get a customer in that region ( since it was deserted ) .. and now, its so busy and full of skyscrapers,etc.. Its amazing how dubai has developed...
Bah.. this thread just reminded me of dubai... miss it now.. cant wait to go back and visit family during spring break
long rant.. phew!
no one can own land in the U.A.E coz federal law prohibits it. Dubai is trying to find a way of amending the current law to enable it as a city to enforce FREEHOLD properties in its true sense.. However, the laws are still ambiguous and I would recommend waiting untill everything is sorted out... The apartmentrs that you buy now in dubai can only be sold back to the developer and cannot be sold in the market..
it is my personal opinon that they favor the westerners and would place the westerners on a higher pedestal than a South Asian ( indians/pakistanis,etc ) due to color which is unfair imo since South Asians play a significant role in the progress of the UAE economy ..
That's not even a name. It means worshipping the prophet instead of god.
Though I see what you mean...
Inspector Jihad
Lifer
- Apr 17, 2005
- 13,465
- 3
- 81
Originally posted by: PrayForDeath
That's not even a name. It means worshipping the prophet instead of god.
Though I see what you mean...
abdul mohammed can be and is a very common name...dont believe me, type it into google.
edit: oh and as far as meaning...abdul means servant and muhammed means praise, so i dont know if you have a differnet interpretation
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