Dubai is held as one of the most desired destinations by Muslim and non-Muslims alike. With its tall skyscrapers, opulent malls, vast desert, clean white beaches and halaal food, Dubai has become the dream destination to holiday and for some to relocate permanently. With celebrities, the likes of the late Michael Jackson, The Beckhams, Brad Pitt, Mariah Carey and Claudia Schiffer all residing in Dubai, its attraction has only grown. Dubai’s success has led to many to advocate it as a new form of economic development, with a distinctly Islamic approach.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Dubai and my time there left me with much to reflect upon. One aspect that immediately strikes any visitor is the pure surrealism of the country. Common sights included shiny new cars just off the production line, clean streets, people shopping continuously throughout the day and night and more Starbucks outlets than you can imagine. It is as if one had arrived on a new planet where there was no poverty, depression, hunger or oppression. I however found this feeling a little awkward even distasteful as all this escapism only served to ignore the horrors inflicted upon our ummah only a few miles away. The Muslim world was erupting in revolution and political awakening, while shoppers were busy looking for what colour Swarovski crystals to put on their abayah. The ‘land of promise’ vision Dubai has cultivated is what draws tourist, expatriate and labourer. Dubai’s rulers were considered to have provided a master class in how to develop an economy from almost nothing. They used what oil revenues they had to create a port and free-trade zone, believing their little state could become a business hub if they created the right conditions. For many this was a shrewd move. Emirates, the airline, bolstered the hub and became the best possible mobile advertising banner. Dubai was considered a genuine economic miracle. This rapid economic development attracted the world’s largest companies, finance, celebrities and cheap labor from the East. This led to foreigners constituting over 80% of Dubai’s 2.2 million population. The search for employment led many from the Philippines, Bangladesh and Pakistan to arrive on Dubai’s shores. They work today in conditions Human rights watch described as ‘not fit for humans.’ Stories of very little health and safety for these vital workers are all too common. Walking by any new building under construction one will see workers labouring in the scorching heat. It is clear to all those who visit Dubai that the government regularly flouts recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The global economic crisis that began in 2008 hit Dubai hard. The dessert nation was dependent upon the talent and expertise of foreign entities for its survival. It could only offer specialist services such as banking and finance as a means to guarantee its future, along with tourism. As these sectors rely heavily on the goodwill and confidence of foreigners, when the crisis hit, foreign investment dried up, foreign companies began to relocate and the Dubai government defaulted on its debt repayments. Tourists disappeared overnight and many construction projects came to a crushing halt. With no money and no jobs, thousands of labour workers were left destitute, some so desperate they considered suicide. The Dubai government did nothing to help such people. For those fortunate enough to be Emirati or those who are foreigners residing in Dubai it is them who live the shiny Dubai life of big cars, restaurants and posh apartments. One issue that struck me was the monotonous life most residents live. Life in Dubai is a struggle to pass time and find ever new ways to spend money. The youth are a good example of this. A walk along the sea front is common for young men in sports cars, revving their engines to attract girls, loud live music, jam packed restaurants and car parks full of youth displaying their kitted up cars, whilst watching a loud advert for a new computer game being shown on a projector screen. For the wealthy youth there is little to do except socialise, shop and kit up their cars. Whilst Dubai may be considered a world apart it is in reality an artificial reality in the dessert. There were many mosques in Dubai, segregated swimming facilities and a clear dislike for relationships outside of marriage. As a woman I felt far safer and was not subjugated to the sexualised atmosphere of the west which was a welcome change. At Salah time women who covered and those who didn’t made their way to the mall prayer rooms, which I was glad to see was still part of Emirati life. However this was where Islam also stopped. Other than Salah there was little else to mark Dubai as an Islamic society. Whilst jilbabs or Abayahs were common, this was clearly a cultural aspect of Emirati life as excessive makeup, strong perfume and coloured fringes were all on overt display. Unfortunately the jilbab has become the street uniform. I was especially shocked and confused to find women in the Emirate who wore Jilbabs but no hijabs! Another worrying aspect was Dubai’s attempt to offer a Western lifestyle with an Eastern flavour for all. This has led the authorities to turn the other way when tourists indulge themselves in non-Islamic activities. Whilst staying at a Dubai hotel the western tourist can drink alcohol and visit nightclubs. Relationships between unmarried couples are allowed to openly operate as long as the authorities are not aware of their activities. In January 2010 a British Muslim woman who had claimed she was raped during a night out, was arrested whilst lodging her claim after she was found to have been drinking alcohol and had a boyfriend whom she had sexual relations with. Far from being the image of an Islamic model of governance, Dubai is in reality a cheap imitation of the west whilst trying to hold on to the odd Islamic practice. Their attempt to imitate the West has resulted in the dilution of their Islamic identity. The pursuit of economic growth led Dubai to turn to an unsustainable debt driven economy, which is now on its knees. If Dubai represents anything then its how one should not construct a nation. The Collapse of Dubai's Economic Dream: A Consequence of Abandoning the Islamic Economic System
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محمد الحصان
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Salam to all and Eid Mubarak. Insha'Allah we will live see next Ramadan Moon sighting announced by the Khalifah. Ameen. I read some of the comments here where some is mentioning specific sins by name and saying that these sins exisit in Dubai. Unless the person that said so witnessed the acts first hand and he and enough witnesses are in front of a judge to testify about specific case, then, you should keep your accusation and comments to your self. An Islamic personality is a personality that wears Islam like a glove in its action, thoughts and words and heart and thoughts. Islamic personality does not allow itself to indulge in complains about what others are doing in case the complain does not meet Sharee'ah standards. Wassalamu Alaykum. |
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khalid
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there is no islamic country right now. the ones that were up and coming were somalia and afghanistan but have stalled due to invasion of the kuffar. to judge a country, see how the weak are taken care of. in dubai, have a look at the foreign worker's condition. do you think allah will let this be swept under the carpet? he gives plenty of time to return to islam just like he gave pharoah until it was too late and there's no turning back. all muslim countries need to focus on the weak and disadvantaged in conjunction with being an economic powerhouse. there is no concept of passport in islam. to be a citizen, one needs to recite shahadah and give bai'ah. for the kuffar, they just need to sign a contract and give allegiance to the islamic state. we are so scarcity minded (where is the money going to come form to help the poor) that we have forgotten that allah is the only true provider. dubai, enjoy your wealth but come back to islam or suffer humiliation and anguish like the tyrants before you. |
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Ghassan
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Dubai might be compared to the Iram of Pillars in Quran, the people and leaders of which were warned repeatedly to return to the Straight Path. Their Iram of the Pillars - a magnificent city of stone towers - was a sight to behold - and then Allah Ta'ala sent it back into the sands when they continued with their degenerate ways. |
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Azhad
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Its nice to see a personal account. heres a professional writers account of the dubai scenario. must read both pages: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/04/dubai-201104?fb_ref=social_fblike&fb_source=home_oneline Note: This is just the tip of the iceberg. |
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babz
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This is a much insightful observation, and am glad that at least some one some where recognize what is happening. Did you also observe how many structures resembled one way or the other the architecture of the Kufar, like for example the Wafi center? Why would a muslim community mimick the building of the pharaoh and place in each corner the statue of Pharaohs when He claimed to be a God, and was thus banished. By competing in tall buildings and structures, they fulfill the prophecy of the Prophet, in the end of times the dwellers of the deserts who walked barefooted will be competing in building tall houses. Dubai is an artificial city, in that as you stated everything has a foreign hand into it, no sooner the dollar falls so will Dubai, and they will be left in Debt so much it will be impossible to pay, hence a lifetime commitment and slavery. |
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Ahmad
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Dubai is not een islamic or sharia state, but its doing better than other islamic countries. Dubai is not perfect, but it has alot of good aspects that other islamic country's only can dream of. No country is perfect if they dont implement the real sharia, but at this moment, the UAE is doing some good things for the muslims. U can write an article on every islamic country with there pros and con. |
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Mufazzal
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All praise is due to Allah, The Lord, The Cherisher of All the worlds, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon rasoolullah sallallaa-hu-alayhi-wassallam "Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) like a rain (Ghayth), thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment, and (there is) forgiveness from Allah and (His) pleasure. And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment." [57:20] Allah the Exalted degrades the significance of this life and belittles it by saying, "that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children." Meaning, this is the significance of this life to its people, just as He said in another Ayah, "Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return with Him." (3:14) copy and pasted from islaam.com May Allah forgive all the believing men and women, Aameen. |
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