Feature - 38th UAE National Day

December 3, 2009
793 words

Colors of a Nation

The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates was written on December 2, 1971. The day saw the rulers of the seven emirates stringing a thread through all the emirates to make it the united nation it is today. Thirty-eight years later, the nation takes a moment to reflect upon the hard work and perseverance that went into transforming the then arid land into the pride of the Middle East.

Cars painted with the national colors and symbols
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

There are over 200 nationalities of diverse cultural backgrounds living in the UAE. Most expats living in UAE come from Southern Asian countries — such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The UAE’s expat community also includes people the UK, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. UAE has a speedy development rate, with new buildings and roads springing up every month. A country on such a fast pace to development needs all the hands it can get. By creating favorable conditions for expatriates, Dubai lures them in with its promises of healthy and comfortable style of living. Dubai has a thriving population of experts, and continues to attract more over the years with promises of tax exemption. Dubai has always welcomed expats with open arms and the expats have held on tight. It is one of the most rapidly developing urban centers in the world, and one of the only cities where expats far outnumber the locals.

Abraham George has lived in the UAE since the 1970’s. Having come here with three shirts in his beaten up suitcase, George reminisces about the days gone by. “The UAE offered me plenty of career opportunities I did not have access to back in my country. Thirty years ago, Dubai was known only for its pearl diving and its gold markets. Now it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. I remember when the trade center was the tallest building for miles and miles around. Today it is dwarfed by all the other buildings on Shaikh Zayed Road.”

Today UAE is losing its hold over the expats, Increasing rents and unstable jobs have resulted in many expatriates packing their bags and moving on in search of greener pastures. “UAE isn't quite the heaven it used to be” says George. Rents have recently risen, People need job security and need to be able to afford the high cost of living that Dubai offers.

Bringing their joy to the streets of Dubai
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Bernadette Dsilva, who came to UAE from the Philippines 10 years ago says, “Dubai has given me opportunities to do things and go to places I wouldn't even dream of. We live and breathe in such a multi-cultural hub. Celebrating the national day alongside the Emirati people makes me happy and proud to be a part of this nation”

Ali Asgar, a student from Pakistan has been born and brought up in the UAE. He holds that the general feeling of apathy among most expatriates towards National Day celebrations stems from a trait to associate themselves as belonging to the place they are born. “I love the UAE, because I have lived here all my life. I know more about the history and culture of this place than I do about Pakistan, my hometown. I love the place and this is the place I want to raise my own family. Thirty eight years and growing, this place has given me everything I have today. But I understand that a large number of my friends feel nothing for the nation, as they do not feel one with the UAE like I do.”

On the second of December, the nation was painted in its national colors, with buildings, streets, cars and even people in the national red, black, green and white. While the nationals sped around the streets in decorated cars, waving their high in the air, expats enjoyed their day off.

Prasanth Pantheeradth and his wife Deepa moved to the UAE six months ago and are delighted with the sights of National Day Celebrations. “The people here celebrate with so much pomp and joy. You don’t get to see sights like these elsewhere, where a people, who are usually so calm and composed take a day to truly celebrate their joy in style.” The couple tried to step onto Mamzar Corniche in a bid to see the rally. “We were stuck in traffic amongst a hoard of others who wanted to catch a glimpse of the very same sights.”

With dark clouds of debt looming above them, the people of the nation seem to have outdone themselves. Be it spray painting their cars, or wearing their national colors, the locals have pulled out all stops in this years celebration. The UAE flags that flutter high across the nation on this joyous day represent the peace, strength, courage and hope of the Emirati people.

Colors of the nation..
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Feature - Eid-Al-Adha

Feature
November 30, 2009
771 words

Fellowship of Faith.

At the end of the Hajj), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). The festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael. Joyous occasions such as Eid are to be spent with quality time with our family. Festivals are designed in such a way that one gets to meet everybody and perform rituals together, which in turn promotes social unity and brotherhood. As commercialization and the materialism associated of festivals increases, one often forgets the true spirit of festivals, the ties of blood.

The carefully selected sacrificial offering
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Akmel Mohammed, is the head of a family of four. This family eagerly looks forward to spending Eid together. “This is our last Eid together as a fami ly” says Fatima, the mater of the household. “My daug hter Mumtaz is getting married and this is the last time she will spend it with us.” While Akmel and his son Asad attend morning prayers and sacrifice an animal in an act known as qurbani, the women of the house clean and decorate the house, while the air is pungent with the aroma of rich festival food. The family puts on their new clothes and visit each other's homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. “It is essential that one spend Eid with their family. At prayers we usually look out for those who look like they are alone and invite them to spend Eid with us. With Mumtaz leaving, we know the value of family and we know that spending Eid alone can be difficult.”

Young and old alike deck up for the festivities
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

While a large number of people spend Eid with their families, there are an equal number spending it away from home. They are e ither new immigrants or bachelors spending the festival away from relatives and friends. Mr Qasim Yasser is a security guard in Qusais. With a family of six waiting for him in Bangladesh, he informs them with a heavy heart that he plans to spend Eid away from his family yet again. “This is my fourth year away from home. I have sent my family money and a few gifts for them to celebrate the festival. My children will call me on Eid to listen to my voice. I miss spending Eid with my family. People don’t realise how lucky they are to be able to spend this festival with their loved ones. I would rather spend it with my family but for now this will have to do.” On being asked what he misses the most about spending Eid at home, Yasser says “The Eid day feast is to die for. My wife makes the best Shahi Mutton Biriyanis and Savaya, a sweet dish made of vermicelli. ”

The hotchpotch of cultures

Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Riyaz Khan and his wife Shruti are a happily married couple who have lived in the UAE for all fifteen of their married life together. With hindu decorations hanging over their door, the doors open to an interreligious family like theirs celebrates religious festivals with a twist. “As I don’t give Qurbani, I put asi de a certain amount of money every year for the poor instead” says Khan. Khan has put a stop on the annual sacrifice as he has health issues with his back. “People are always unsure of how to wish us on religious festivals.” Says Ankita, their thirteen year old daughter, with a wry grin. “We celebrate Eid like every other Muslim family.” says Shruti. “We dress up in new clothing, we visit neighbours, my husband attends the sermons and prayers, Ankita receives Eidi. But we also have our daily puja, even on the day of Eid.” The Khans have visitors every Eid, and they sit around the table to feast on biryani and countless other delicacies as the dining table is loaded with the best of foods from both the cultures. After lunch we usually have small gatherings where we have folk songs and games for the children. The family makes it a point to visit far away relatives, and other members of family that they don’t have time to visit on other days.

Festival of color and joy
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Unfortunately, things are changing and not for the better. An increasing number of nuclear families threaten the unity and sanctity of homes. Material progress and financial independence lure individuals away from familial ties. Immigrant communities are often in a hurry to leave behind their ethnic identities. One wonders as to how these individuals fare in the constant tug of war between materialism and religious ethnic ties.

Opinion - Images Around Us

October 4, 2009

370 words

Because They Said So

Images are all around us, some symbolic and others as direct as can be. As we overtake one another in the sordid race towards materialistic hell, one forgets what its like to slow down and smell the roses. The intricate beauty of images around us, the stories they weave, the morals they preach and the auguries they bring.

The unsteady steps of individual thought
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Images are here to stay. Their functions differ from situation to situation. They maybe used to organize, to instruct, to promote and influence thought. Modeling our lives on the stereotypes forced upon us by these commercial images has now become the norm. We’ve have lost our individuality and nobody seems to mind much. The handful few who swim against the current to wave their flags of individualism are either frowned upon or hailed as prodigies.

The Power of Association
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Somewhere among the mickle of street signs and flashing neon’s, we’ve forgotten the purpose of images. What started as a simple reproduction of the things humans see around them, today images are the life of the corporate world. We built our lives on the images around us. These teach us how to live. This incessant spoon feeding has led to a slow death of the individual thought. The eye is conditioned to seek out elements that stand out from the rest of the image. We see beauty in disorder, in a riot of images and colours. What one needs to remember is that we shouldn’t let images rule our thinking. The rebellious saplings of individual thought that try to push its way through the muck of commercialization are to be nurtured and cared for.

Conditioning through Images
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Images today have a fixed definition of perfection. Humans have been conditioned to emulate these portrayed images. This is only an illusion, yet we work so hard to get to that place. This pursuit gives us direction in life. It gives meaning to these long and endless days of hard work. We give up so much to try and achieve perfection. So much that we overlook the small joys in life. Stroll through life rather than run past it. Stop and smell the roses. Take it in, life in all its fullness. The futile chase after perfection can wait.

Things aren't always as they seem
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben