Posted on 06/06/2006 9:59:33 AM PDT by 2banana
DUBAI - Welcome to the ultimate sociopolitical model for the 21st century: a Blade Runner-esque melting pot of neo-liberalism and "subterranean" economy, Sunni Arab Islam and low taxes, souks and artificial islands, a giant warehouse and a tourist paradise, life in the fast lane and post-modern slavery. The model spells out an apolitical, consumer-mad, citizenship-free society.
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Only 25% of the multicultural 2.4 million people living in the UAE are citizens - or "nationals", as they are known in local lingo. In Dubai they represent only 15%. No wonder Dubai boasts no fewer than 85 foreign private schools.
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Racism in Dubai - as in the US south - is pervasive, but off-limits to discussion, even as the fragile social pact between citizens and foreign residents, which in essence means "shut up and do your job", is faltering. A 15% minority could not possibly impose either its language or religion on a cosmopolitan majority - especially when religion is the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. Thus (Western and Arab) men can get drunk in licensed bars, pubs and restaurants and (Western only) women can wear bikinis on the beach.
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Unelected male elders of a single ruling family may control it with no opposition, Asians may be treated as no more than slaves, and Dubai remains in essence a protectorate
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The social pyramid in Dubai is unforgiving. At the base is the average construction worker, inevitably South Asian, either Pakistani or Indian. He's invisible. But he and his fellow workers now comprise an astonishing 80% of the UAE's population. Human Rights Watch has repeatedly complained that this archetypal construction worker is never treated like a human being. But the UAE power structure couldn't care less.
He has no rights. Trade unions are banned. If he speaks up, he's instantly deported.
(Excerpt) Read more at atimes.com ...
Someone doesn't know what he is talking about....
Bet Dubai is smart enough not to let in any Palis.
I think you already know the answer to your question.
I'll wager that even with any abuse they suffer,Indians and Pakistanis feel lucky to be in Dubai where their daily wage is 30 times higher than it would be back home.
That one crack makes the credibility of the whole article suspect
It will.
I had a few friends who were over there.
The compared the muslims over there with the "cafeteria catholics" or the folks who are "christian in name only".
The muslims there call themselves muslim, but ignore their religion for all effects and purposes.
While they had a good time, and partied like crazy, they couldn't understand why terrorists hadn't bombed this place off the map.
They also said that the immigrants there were effectivly slaves for all effects and purposes.
Those 85% are only doing the dirty jobs that Emiricans won't do.
Good article. If this attitude spreads we wouldnt have any problems
"In another one of the Palms there will be houses on stilts that, seen from above, will spell out a poem written by - who else - the sheikh: "Heed the wisdom of the wise: It takes a man of vision to write on water. Not everyone who rides a horse is a jockey. Great men rise to great challenges."
LOL clever
"especially when religion is the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam"
I think this part is incorrect. In fact I think that the authorties ban Internet access to sites that advocate Wahhabinism. Something I hope they continue for the time being.
Hogwash...that's how such a society was depicted in George Clooney's "Syriana" as well.
But slaves don't get paid...and the Asians flock over there because they like the money.
Obligatory cheap shot.
Funny, we were just discussing that on another thread (one regarding Haditha). A contractor who has worked 18 months in Baghdad is quoted saying that the lying is so constant and pervasive, about everything, even among Iraqis he otherwise likes, that nothing can be done in a straightforward and honest way:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1644199/posts?page=20#20
I do not know how I could live amongst people like that. I once experienced severe cognitive dissonance and frustration working for a lying, bullying boss and that was just one person in an otherwise mostly sane and mostly honest society.
Some of the victims of militant Arabs' Racism include: Kurds, Berbers (native North Africans in Morocco, Algeria), Marsh Arabs, Maronites, Druze, Jews, Nubians (native Egyptians), native Sudanese, native Chadeans, native Mauritanians, Assyrians, Copts, etc.
Some of the victims of militant Arabs' Racism include: Kurds, Berbers (native North Africans in Morocco, Algeria), Marsh Arabs, Maronites, Druze, Jews, Nubians (native Egyptians), native Sudanese, native Chadeans, native Mauritanians, Assyrians, Copts, etc.
We got plenty of those here. They're called liberals (even though they are as illiberal as they make 'em.)
Slavery is old fashioned. You tie up a lot of capital in slaves, they have to be fed, housed, and guarded, and if they die you're out some serious $$.
Wage workers, OTOH, are expendable. All you have to do for them is hand them their pay, and send them away as soon as the job's done. And if one dies, you just get another.
Why would a capitalist own slaves?
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