After We’ve Deplored the Florida Quran Burner, What Then?

Media Circus
The media frenzy outside the Quran burner’s church has focused on wackdoodlery and the misinformation about the ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ has been penned in high voltage rhetoric.

It’s important to denounce religious extremists and affirm that statements from the Christian Taliban do not represent the teachings of Christ. More necessary than ever is the need to address the fear and hatred of 'the other' that such hot button pressers expose.

The Freedom to be Ignorant
Tucked away in Time Magazine’s (19 August 2010) article, ‘Does America Have a Muslim Problem’ is the statistic from Time’s recent poll which states that “Only 37% [of Americans] know a Muslim American.” So much fear, hostility, ‘not in my backyard’ insults and anti-Muslim merchandise arises from ignorance and not knowing the people who represent the movement that is being castigated.

Building Bridges in Our Backyard
Tip O’Neill’s apt assertion that “all politics is local” helpfully takes us from Ground Zero and Gainesville to the towns where we live.

After we’ve deplored the Florida Quran Burner, how can we build bridges of understanding with those who are different? Here are some backyard bridge-building possibilities to stimulate the creativity:

Befriending
Be intentional about getting to know people who are different—Christians befriending Muslims, Muslims reaching out to Christians etc.—doing something about Time’s 37% figure of not knowing.

Develop Programmes
Be inspired by the Interfaith Action initiatives in the town of Sharon, Massachusetts with their meals, the ‘Sharing of Sacred Seasons’ and their Youth Leadership Program.

The Role of the Arts
Ponder the reconciling role of music and the arts. Daniel Barenboim has for years been conducting orchestras of young Arabs and Israelis. About creating music and peace he reflected:

"What seemed extraordinary to me was how much ignorance there was about the 'other'. The Israeli kids couldn't imagine that there are actually people in Damascus and Amman and Cairo who can actually play violin and viola ... One of the Syrian kids told me that he'd never met an Israeli before ... This same boy found himself sharing a music stand with an Israeli cellist. They were trying to play the same note, to play with the same dynamic, with the same stroke of the bow, with the same sound, with the same expression. They were trying to do something together. It's as simple as that."

Talking Together
It’s a useful thing that the Ruler of Fujairah, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, represents the United Arab Emirates in interfaith dialogue at the highest level but this shouldn’t replace ordinary people talking together in Fujairah, Frankston or Frankfurt about what they believe and how their faith makes a difference to their daily living.

Finding Common Ground
When such conversation avoids a slanging match and starts by talking about the things we have in common—our yearnings, our hopes, our vision for the world and our town—we will be surprised to discover how much we are alike.

Turning Talk into Service
In terms of faith we will find many beliefs we share as well as areas where we differ.

Those from faith traditions, known as ‘the People of the Book’, will learn that they share many stories, values and affirmations.

Many more religions share a belief in God as creator who calls humankind to be caretakers of the created earth. So why not work together to organize some environmental projects around the town or at the beach as an expression of what President Obama in his Cairo speech called ‘turning dialogue into interfaith service’? (But it wouldn’t need to be advertised as such because one would want to also work with those who are committed to the environment but who do this without a religious motivation)

Calling for Bridge-Builders
When the lead up to the anniversary of 9/11 this year (2010) has been marked by explosive expressions that so easily torpedo trust, there’s an urgent need for bridge-builders, especially at the local level.

I love the way Ivo Andrić wrote of the significance of bridges:

“In the end, everything through which this life of ours is expressed—thoughts, efforts, glances, smiles, words, sighs—is all reaching out to another shore, as towards its aim, and only there will it be granted its true meaning.”

“Everywhere there is something to overcome or to bridge: disorder, death, meaninglessness. Everything is a transition, a bridge whose ends are lost in infinity, beside which all the bridges of this earth are only children’s toys, pale symbols. And all our hope lies on the other side.”

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Image: “When such conversation…starts by talking about the things we have in common…we will be surprised to discover how much we are alike.”

About the Site ‘Fujairah in Focus’

Desert of Information
When my wife and I came to live in Fujairah in 2005 we found it difficult to get any information in English about this city.

The newspapers coming out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi had little coverage on Fujairah.

I started a blog—Experiencing the Emirates, with a special eye on Fujairah.

The next year I commenced Fujairah in Focus and when at the end of 2009 I gave up the Emirates blog (for these reasons) I determined to spend whatever time I devoted to blog writing focusing on Fujairah.

I try and write on Fujairah in Focus each day unless I am travelling in some other part of the world.

Fujairah has been growing by 10,000 people every year and much of what I write is for these people—those contemplating the prospect of coming to Fujairah, those taking the plunge and those getting established in the unfamiliarity of a new city and culture.

The questions that are often asked, especially by intending travelers, journalists and newcomers, indicate that there is a great hunger for news and information about this little known north-eastern emirate in the UAE.

This digital scrapbook is intended to stir up questions and foster a conversation about Fujairah and the changes that are taking place in this emirate and in the lives of those who visit and live in this part of the world.

Who Reads Fujairah in Focus?
About half of the people who visit this site live in the UAE. They are readers who want to discover more of what is going on in Fujairah, especially those in Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi who see Fujairah as a getaway destination and who are looking for info on how to get here and what they might do on their stay.

The other half are readers throughout the world—especially those in the UK, India, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand—people who are planning to visit the UAE and Fujairah and I suspect many who used to live here and who want to keep in touch with the Emirates.

Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page
In the UAE Facebook is now the second most popular Internet site after Google. It is striking that the growth of Facebook usage in the UAE is faster than the USA or anywhere else in the Middle East—12% in the last six months.

At the last survey 33% of all UAE residents have a Facebook account and many young people are using Facebook solely for their emails and their source of news.

Because of this I started the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which I put links to articles written on the Fujairah in Focus blog and links and pictures to many other features of a Fujairah flavour. Let me invite you to get the updates appearing in your Facebook News Feed by clicking on the LIKE button at the top of the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Interact
Feel free to add comments, raise questions, receive the updates and Share articles you think could be helpful by using the ‘Share’ button at the end of each article of the blog or the Facebook page.

Geoff Pound
Connect with me on my personal Facebook Pages (I have reached the maximum number of Friends and Likes on this account but I have started this unlimited Facebook Page). Join me also on Twitter.

Eid in Fujairah: Praying, Visiting, Eating, Celebrating and Holidaying

Eid Prayers
Crowds of residents were up bright and early this morning for Eid prayers which officially commenced in Fujairah at 6.25am.

While some of the large mosques were open, most of Fujairah’s Muslims walked, drove their cars or bused in to the large open air worship centre over the road from the Government offices.

The atmosphere was tinged with joy. The new white clothes dazzled in the sunlight. The smell of freshly perfumed bodies filled the air.

As soon as the sermon and the prayers were over Fujairah’s Royal family and dignitaries walked briskly to their cars. Armed guards were on hand to keep the peace. Police on motorbikes went ahead to ease the officials through the increasingly congested streets.

Three Day Festival Begins
Now for three days of visiting, phone calling, gift giving, eating and celebrating. This is a happy time for those with relatives in the UAE but it can be a time of loneliness and nostalgia for those whose families are far away.

Fujairah a Getaway Destination
Fujairah is filling up fast. Hoteliers are rubbing their hands as they calculate the occupancy rate of their rooms as many from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah travel to the tranquil emirate for a two or three day getaway.

Eid Mubarak!

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Image: “As soon as the sermon and the prayers were over Fujairah’s Royal family and dignitaries walked briskly to their cars.”

Take a Look!
More photos of Eid Prayers in Fujairah at this link.

Eid Mubarak

At Eid al Fitr I am delighted to wish my Muslim friends and readers great joy in this season of celebration and festivity.

Eid Mubarak! A blessed Eid holiday!

Geoff Pound

Cultural Education: “What Do You Want to Pay?”

The fan in my car went on the blink this week and driving around Fujairah without the AC is a sweaty and most uncomfortable experience.

After getting a recommendation I drove to an Auto Electrical Workshop and Car AC shop and told them that my car had a problem (‘mushkila’).

A bevy of Bangladeshi auto electricians worked on the car for over an hour and replaced a wire in the fuse box that had melted.

When the bonnet was finally closed I said to the mechanic with my best Bengali inflection: ‘Dam kôto?’ (How much?)

He took me inside and repeated my query to the boss. The owner looked at me quizzically and then asked with a smile, “How much do you want to pay?”

I told him that this was the first time I’d ever been asked that question then he mentioned something about me being a ‘new customer’.

Was the businessman inviting me to pay something small as a goodwill gesture, to ensure my return and in the hope that I would tell my friends that this is a terrific business?

Was this a well-used practice that normally results in expats giving much more than the usual service fee?

I insisted that he set the amount because car parts had been used and he must have a regular hourly rate at which he charges.

He came up with a good price and we parted as friends but I was left pondering the meaning of this practice in my ongoing cultural education.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Image: Business Card Collage: “and in the hope that I would tell my friends that this is a terrific business?” I am a satisfied customer.

Details: Karim Auto Electrical Workshop & Car AC Rep.
(09) 2222178, Near Al Badi, Industrial Area Rd 1. Fujairah.


View Karim Auto Electricians in a larger map

The Good News and the Bad News about Fujairah Housing

The Good News
Some apartment towers that have been standing in ghostly silence in Fujairah are slowly getting connected to the electrical supply.

Like this tower (pictured), labeled Burj Amoon on its exterior but generally known to the residents as the Al Yasmin building.

It stands on the right side of Fujairah’s main street as you head towards the corniche and is located in the section after the Perfume Roundabout, just before the Sharjah Islamic Bank.

The building opened for business about three months ago boasting sizeable 3-4 bedroom apartments on the dozen floors. They appear spacious, with their high ceilings, solid sound-proof walls and views both sides (north and south) across the city and out to the Arabian Sea.

The Bad News
The Al Yasmin building filled up in a few weeks leaving many home hunters waiting for another tower to be switched on.

Villas are still hard to find (especially those with 3-4 bedrooms) and there are several diesel generators outside new blocks of flats, keeping the lights powered until the dwellings are hooked up to the electricity.

Related
Hotels and apartments springing up in Fujairah City, FIF, 11 June 2010.
Hotel and apartment towers rising in Fujairah, FIF, 31 May 2010.
Rental property update in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 5 October 2009.
Power shortage in Fujairah leaves sparks flying, FIF, 26 August 2009.
Fujairah homes and businesses without power, switch to generators, FIF, 16 June 2009.
Power and water in short supply for Fujairah’s new buildings, FIF, 4 June 2009.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Image: “Labeled Burj Amoon on its exterior but generally known to the residents as the Al Yasmin building.”

What’s for Sale at the Fujairah Tourist Night Souq?

In addition to the rides for the children in the amusement park and the scenic shisha site, there’s much to buy at the Fujairah Tourist Night Souq.

Cruise Customers and Tourists
One cruise review prepared for the growing number of passengers on cruise ships around the Middle East gives this urging:

“There is also a shopping center where you can bargain. You should visit Fujairah Night Souq. There are approximately 5,000 products you can choose; including trendy boutiques, store chains and a lot more. This place also offers the best entertainment for the whole family. This place is open until the wee hours of the morning.”

Many of the products on display are in the souvenir category and designed to help tourists with their gift and shopping needs.

As the review says, the Fujairah Night Souq is the place to put your bartering skills into practice!

Reasonably Priced
A few of the shops have big ticket items such as computers and printers but generally the Night Souq deals in large quantities of goods that are reasonably priced. Hanif Shaikh, the Managing Director of the Fujairah Tourist Night Souq, says that bags and shaylas are hot items that sell fast. “One of the popular shops,” Hanif says, “sells low-priced clothes from a factory outlet.”

Sweets, Drinks and More
Like any good souq there are shops with refreshments including a stall that specializes in Arabic sweets.

When you’re tired from wandering around the shops, check into the place that offers Thai foot massages.

Take a Preview!
The best way to get a preview of what’s on offer at the Fujairah Tourist Night Souq is to check out this photo album.

More on Fujairah Tourist Night Souq
Lots of Entertainment for Children at Fujairah Night Souq, FIF.
The Most Scenic Shisha Site in Fujairah, FIF.

Further Information
* The Fujairah Tourist Night Souq is located on the corniche next to the Marine Club.
* The souq is patronized by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah.
* The Managing Director of the Night Souq is Mr. Hanif Shaikh.
* The normal hours for the Night Souq are 5.00pm to 12am.
* Phone: (09) 2239272.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

The Most Scenic Shisha Site in Fujairah

Hanif Shaikh, the manager of the Fujairah Tourist Night Souq, knows that not everyone has a fixation with shopping. Realistic as he is, Hanif has established the newest and arguably the most scenic shisha café in Fujairah.

Go through the Night Souq, out the other side—just beyond the children’s entertainment area but stop when you arrive at the water’s edge.

This is hardly a café because shisha smoking has been forced out doors in most public places of the UAE.

The shisha is still very popular with the locals and most tourists feel that they need to try at least a puff to inhale the Emirates.

The Tourist Night Souq shisha site is simple and minimalistic:
* The children playing behind in the amusement park.
* A large TV screen to one side for checking the football.
* A few friends around the tables, chairs or lounging on a couch or two.
* Waiters to take your order and help you light up.
* The starry sky above.
* The gentle waves of the sea lapping at your feet.

The Arabian Peninsula! The Arabian Sea! The Arabian culture!

Take a Look!
A few daytime shots of the Fujairah Tourist Night Souq shisha establishment can be found in this photo album.

More on Shisha Culture in UAE
Fujairah Exports Shisha Café to USA, FIF.
Why Women in the Emirates are Smoking More Shisha, ETE.
Shisha Cafes Could be Extinguished in New Anti-Smoking Laws, ETE.

More on Fujairah Tourist Night Souq
Lots of Entertainment for Children at Fujairah Night Souq, FIF.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Lots of Entertainment for Children at Fujairah Night Souq

As fast food restaurants and shopping malls have found, if you can provide enough interesting things to do for the children, then the parents will come and tolerate the ordeal of going out as a family.

Hanif Shaikh, the manager of the Fujairah Night/Tourist Souq believes this and he has ramped up his offerings for children, especially during the Eid Holiday.

All the Fun of the Fair
Hanif has shifted the children’s playground to a larger area on the southern side of the souq.

There are more rides on ferris wheels, trains and merry-go-rounds this year, plus cars to drive up and down the corniche.

There’s a new camel and a pony for only 10AED a ride.

There are stalls within the souq that will attract children as well as sweets, Magic Corn, drinks and other refreshments.

Take a Look
The best thing is for children to view this photo album before planning out how they will use their spending money at the Fujairah Night Souq.

Details
The Night Souq normally opens between 5pm and 12am (maybe later during Ramadan and Eid).

The Managing Director is Mr. Hanif Shaikh and the contact number is (09) 2239272.

The Tourist Night Souq is another service granted under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of the emirate of Al Fujairah.

Further
Night Souk (Market) in Fujairah, FIF, 2009.
Fujairah Corniche Coming Alive During Ramadan, FIF, 2009.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Giving to the Poor in Fujairah, UAE

In addition to the hundreds of free meals that are being served each night in the huge Ramadan tents, there are droves of donors pulling up outside Fujairah’s Red Crescent this month to make their gifts.

Beyond this there are individuals in Fujairah who organize their own schemes for giving to the poor.

The photo [alongside] shows the line of men that appear between 4.00 and 4.30pm each day outside the Fujairah National Air Travel Agency, opposite the Hilton Hotel on Al Faseel Road. Here the accountant of the business manages the distribution of 100 meals of biryani every night of the month of Ramadan and during the following days of Eid.

This gesture by the Managing Director, Mr. Jahangir Ali Shamsi, brings cheer to many expats residing in Fujairah and probably this saving on the cost of an evening meal over 30+ days, puts 175AED into their pockets.

The Pillar of Zakat
This act of generosity and charity, known as zakat (Arabic: زكاة), is one of the five pillars of Islam in which the well-to-do are required to give to the poor, the needy and the hungry.

To the recipient it alleviates need and to the giver it is a means of spiritual purification from greed and selfishness, which is a part of the cleansing desired in the month of Ramadan.

Who are the Poor in Fujairah?
This question is being asked by the accountant [photo below] as he disputes with a man as to his eligibility. For one thing the man in question has the temerity to jump the queue (a sign of power in this culture) and his collar and tie suggest that he is probably a well-paid clerical worker. After a few minutes this man walked away with his biryani!

When labourers on Dubai’s skyscrapers protested some years ago about their meager salary, the employers disputed that there was any injustice and contended that the salaries and working conditions were fair.

If people are in the UAE on a work visa should they be regarded as poor and destitute? Surely the workers are worthy of their hire and therefore the salaries to all should be sufficient to keep their heads above the poverty line.

If they are regarded as poor and needy what happens for the 11 months of the year when the biryani lines no longer exist and the Ramadan tents have been pulled down? Are they still in need of charity or do their wages suffice? How much are the Ramadan meals given for the poor and to what extent are they given for the benefit of the giver to fulfill the requirements of Ramadan?

Giving that Empowers
Accepting charity, for people with honour and self-respect, can be a harder task than the act of the wealthy giving money or food to the poor.

To be most effective charity must empower the recipient and be given in such a way that maintain a person’s dignity.

Ramadan all Year Long
Providing a special meal does bring joy and this can be a wonderful service.

Implementing a respectable minimum wage that is given every month of the year is also an act of justice that is at the heart of zakat.

Related
Ramadan Hours and the Last Week of the Holy Month, FIF.
I Know I’m Back in Fujairah during at Ramadan when…FIF.
Ramadan a time for Giving in Fujairah, FIF.
What if the Ramadan Fast is broken by eating food or having sex? ETE.
The UAE offers 10,000 dirhams to quit smoking during Ramadan, ETE.
Ramadan up in the air, ETE.
Can a Christian learn from Ramadan? ETE.
Ramadan in Recession, ETE.
Paying and Cancelling Debts this Ramadan, ETE.
Ramadan Increasingly captive to Commercialism, ETE.
What to wear in the UAE—especially in Ramadan, ETE.
Smoking and Dietary Patches Ease the Pain of Ramadan Fasting, ETE.

Ramadan Kareem!

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

The Sweet Taste of Fujairah UAE

Ramadan in Fujairah, UAE, seems to be as much about eating as it is about fasting.

After a day without food it must come as good news to break fast with a date (in the tradition of the Prophet Mohammed) and then to enjoy iftar (the evening meal) which includes traditional desserts and sweets. In this way one experiences Ramadan as much with the taste buds and stomach as with the mind and spirit.

Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. Eid is about festivity and the purified person is outwardly symbolized by washing, worship, new clothes, perfume, gift giving and receiving, visiting and sharing more delicious food.

Location and Hours
It is no wonder that a Sweets Souq (Market) exists in Fujairah during the month of Ramadan and extends to the end of the Eid holiday.

The Sweet Souq is open each afternoon between 3.00-6.30pm to keep the tables laden at iftar and during Eid.

This open-air market is located on the Fujairah corniche over the road from the ship-shaped Fujairah International Marine Club.

Take a Look
Take a look at photos from the Sweet Souq at this link but better still, visit the market and get a sweet taste of Fujairah.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Ramadan Hours and the Last Week of the Holy Month

Ramadan Hours
Ramadan is different from other months. Most companies and Colleges advertise ‘Ramadan Hours’ which are certainly not uniform in Fujairah and the UAE.

Some Colleges start early and finish early. Some clubs open and close later. Some businesses open only after iftar (the evening meal) and their employees work into the early hours of the morning.

Many shops are open until 1.00am or later. Restaurants and cafes that are closed during the fasting hours open their doors later, promising tantalizing Ramadan treats to boost their income.

Most licensed restaurants, bars and clubs are prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks and the ones that normally depend largely on the revenue from customers who like to have a drink, do it hard financially in the holy month.

Nocturnal Creatures
Many Emiratis in Fujairah during Ramadan are like owls, bats and kiwis—they mainly come out at night. Most expats were astonished to learn the hours of the Maktoum Championships Ramadan Tournament, firstly to discover that sport was played in a month of fasting, secondly to hear that the sport was played between the hours of 9pm and midnight and finally to learn that most Emiratis would stay up until the Morning Prayer time!

The Last Ten Days
In the last ten days of Ramadan, there is a special night, Laylat al Qadr (The Night of Power), when believers are rewarded for being engaged in prayer, eager to seek and remember Allah and to read the Koran. This night that is “better than a thousand months” no one but God knows when this time is, so believers are encouraged to be active in worship in order to help prosper their destiny in the next year.

In this last week of Ramadan when faithful believers ‘gird up their loins’ in persistent prayer and disengagement, it is harder for those not observing Ramadan to contact businesses and get things done.

Related
I Know I’m Back in Fujairah during at Ramadan when…FIF.
Ramadan a time for Giving in Fujairah, FIF.
What if the Ramadan Fast is broken by eating food or having sex? ETE.
The UAE offers 10,000 dirhams to quit smoking during Ramadan, ETE.
Ramadan up in the air, ETE.
Can a Christian learn from Ramadan? ETE.
Ramadan in Recession, ETE.
Paying and Cancelling Debts this Ramadan, ETE.
Ramadan Increasingly captive to Commercialism, ETE.
What to wear in the UAE—especially in Ramadan, ETE.
Smoking and Dietary Patches Ease the Pain of Ramadan Fasting, ETE.

Ramadan Kareem!

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Take a Look at the Fujairah Souqs

I like to put markets on my list of places to tour in a city and the Fujairah markets (souqs or souks) are no exception.

I prefer markets over malls, plain old markets rather than super or hypermarkets.

I love to see traders going about their daily work and people haggling as they buy fruit, vegetables and fish in the way they have been doing so for years.

One touches something very basic about the local culture when you see fresh fish being examined, selected, gutted, purchased and taken away for cooking that evening.

Market Inspection
The Ministry of the Economy has been conducting an inspection of the Fujairah markets during Ramadan 2010. Take a look at this video to see the aspects they have been checking.


Following this inspection is probably the best time to shop at the souqs—when the prices are clearly marked and the costs are fair.

Fujairah Souq Location
The central souqs in Fujairah have been marked on this Google Map:

View Fujairah Souqs in a larger map

Related
Fujairah Tourist Night Souk, FIF.
Fujairah Friday Market, FIF and TGI Friday Market at Fujairah, FIF.

Geoff Pound

Image: “One touches something very basic about the local culture when you see fresh fish being examined, selected, gutted, purchased and taken away for cooking that evening.”

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Looking for a Job in Fujairah?

I wrote earlier about the number of jobs in Fujairah being advertized, how this was a healthy sign of the economy and what I would do if I was looking for a job in the eastern city of the UAE.

'Tranquil Fujairah'
This pattern seems to be continuing. I was interested in the descriptive detail that supported one job listed in an Australian newspaper today.

It was headed up:
“Stunning School in tranquil Fujairah needs an Early Years Teacher ASAP!!

Among the supporting information it said about the school’s location and Fujairah: ‘Beautiful and peaceful location….nestled against the rugged Hajar mountainous range. Ideal location for someone looking for peace and quiet and who enjoys outdoor activities.’

I was intrigued by a different role advertised in an email that also came today in a listing of ‘Jobs in the Gulf’. It contained this exciting one minute video entitled:
Collecting Sewerage in Fujairah


The additional information to this footage said: ‘All sewerage here has to be collected weekly by tanker truck—most different.’ Fortunately that 2008 information is now out of date following the introduction of a modern sewerage system.

On the Youtube site there is a range of ‘related videos’ depicting other moving operations but I have spared viewers from reading these on the video embedded in this blog.

Between the marketing blurb about the tranquil position for a peace-loving teacher and the very moving experience of a modern Fujairah Night-Cart man there are lots of good jobs going!

Geoff Pound

Image: “Nestled against the rugged Hajar mountain range.”

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Discover What Fujairah is about from its Roundabouts

Al Ain would win any competition for ‘roundabout art’ but Fujairah’s roundabouts symbolize the rich cultural identity of the emirate.

Take the ‘Coffee Pot’ roundabout in Faseel and only a coffee mug's throw from the Fujairah corniche. The coffee pot depicted is the sleek and stylish coffee pourer used in the Emirates (called dallah—Arabic: دلة‎). Unfortunately in banks and businesses the dallah has been replaced by the plastic, press-the-button, thermos flask.

The coffee cups (called finjaan—Arabic: فنجان) on the Faseel roundabout are nothing like those in Starbucks as these ones come without handles. Typically they are small because the offering and receiving of more than one cup is all part of the coffee drinking tradition in this land.

Even the cardamom-laced, milk-free coffee is different and even bitter but in time the taste buds will become attuned and familiar.

The coffee is usually served upon arrival. The pouring by the host, the receiving and the drinking is all about hospitality, acceptance, communion and replenishment.

Keep pouring out your friendship! Don’t stop at one cup of hospitality. Drink deeply of the kindness. When three cups of liquid welcome have been imbibed and the cup is returned with a wiggle and a twist we will know without a word that we have been refreshed and sustained by friendship.

Related
Drinking Coffee Arabic and Turkish Style, Fujairah Observer, May 2009.
Imbibing the Emirates, Experiencing the Emirates, 1 April 2007.
Change, like Coffee Requires Time to Percolate, SFS, 19 November 2007.
Searching for the Finest Coffee in Fujairah, FIF, 4 November 2009.
Crap Coffee, SFS, 1 May 2006.

Geoff Pound

Image: Coffee pot and cups need to be cleaned and shined from time to time. The Coffee Pot Roundabout, 2 September 2010.

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog, including this Photo Album of the Fujairah Coffee Pot Roundabout.

Pakistan Floods Up Close and Personal in Fujairah, UAE

When I saw our gardener, Aziz, after returning from our vacation, the glint in his eye and smile on his face were missing. Two months earlier his grin was impossible to remove as he spoke of his fiancée back in Peshawar that he was planning to marry immediately after Ramadan.

Aziz’ village Didar Garhi which is 39 kilometres from Peshawar and lies alongside the Swat River is completely under water. The bridge that connects it with Peshawar has gone (this video shows the height of the bridge and the speed of the river in normal conditions). In his village of 600 homes and 1500 people, 200 residents were drowned in the fast rising waters.

Evacuation
The floods commenced on 28 July and people fled from the village the next day. In the exodus, Aziz’ family (his seventy year old father, mother, sister, brother, sister in law and their children) went to live with another brother and his family in the village of Tangi. All 20 members of Aziz’ family are now living under the one roof.

Little Help from Friends
The waters of the Swat River are still high and raging over Didar Garhi with no sign of them abating. Aziz’ family existed by growing rice and vegetables and raising three buffalo and one sheep but now their livelihood has gone. They and other residents of Didar Garhi have received no money or food from government sources, only a little from a rich man who is sharing his wealth.

It's Here

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Basics and Rebuilding
The immediate need is for people like Aziz’ family to have money for food but just as urgent will be the need for medicines and vaccinations to stave off the ravages of cholera and other diseases. The UN estimates that 3.5 million children are at imminent risk of airborne diseases and 72,000 are at high risk of death.

Whenever Aziz’ family and others get back to their village they will face the immense task of rebuilding their house which will cost a minimum of half a million Pakistani rupees.

Transferring Aid
Like most other Pakistanis in Fujairah, Aziz regularly sends money back home to support his family. From his salary of 1800 AED per month he sends his family 800 AED which is used to supplement the food the family grows on the land. Even if this entire amount of 800 AED was used to fund a new house it would take Aziz 27 months to pay it off. In addition to building a new home will be the cost of replacing the buffalos (40,000 rupees or 1718 AED each) and buying seeds for crops.

Assistance
Many of the Pakistani gardeners and taxi drivers in Fujairah come from in and around Peshawar and I am meeting an increasing number whose families who have lost their homes and are living in tents. Giving to people in the UAE you know like Aziz is a practical and personal way to help.

International agencies like World Vision and the United Nations (with the help of Angelina Jolie) have launched their appeals.

The Red Crescent, (Ph. 800 733 or 09-2222456) which has an office in Faseel, Fujairah, is a major local avenue for sending assistance.

The Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi is appealing for help and this link provides details of how money can be sent to the chief authority overseeing the disaster relief.

The people of the UAE have been amazingly generous with the Red Crescent Telethon this month amassing 85 million AED but this flood is the greatest in Pakistan’s history with more than 20% of the land and an estimated 23 million Pakistanis being affected by the calamity.

P.S. Aziz's marriage has been postponed because of the floods but he hopes to visit his family and get married in October, 2010.

Geoff Pound

Image: Aziz and Pakistanis fleeing the flood waters.

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Fujairah in September

‘September is Like No Other…’
There’s a positive feeling that comes when ripping off the August page on the calendar and revealing the month of September.

In the southern hemisphere ‘Spring is in the air’ with blossom abounding, football finals looming, a warming up and a drying out after the harshness of winter.

In the northern hemisphere, there’s often the relief that the mercury is dropping and in many countries the Fall brings with it an unsurpassed beauty.

September in the Emirates
Here in Fujairah and the United Arab Emirates generally the seasons are not as marked as in countries closer to the poles. September does signal a change from the VERY HOT season (this year the thermometer got to 54 degrees Celsius) to the HOT season.

Temperatures in Fujairah are currently down to the low thirties but the key factor is the humidity. Unfortunately September in Fujairah (and possibly in other parts of the UAE) is known for being the most humid month of the year.

As the Fujairah Weather gauge (on the Fujairah in Focus blog) states at the time of writing:
Temperature: 32 degrees Celsius
Feels Like: 46 degrees Celsius
Humidity: 89%

The humidity is the major negative factor in this season which brings with it haze and washed out skies.

Overwhelmingly, however, September introduces the season of change, newness and looking forward.

September is a good time for people to visit the emirate of Fujairah.

Geoff Pound

Image: Fujairah in September, looking from the corniche towards Faseel with the Hajar Mountains and the Port in the distant haze. Click to enlarge.

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

The UAE in 2040?

‘Abu Dubai: A Forward Tale of Two Cities That Could Only be One’ is a provocative article that gets you dreaming about the future of the UAE.

Will Fujairah increasingly become a suburb of ‘Abu Dubai’ or will its remoteness and different landscape heighten its uniqueness?

Link: Mishaal Al Gergawi, ‘Abu Dubai: A Forward Tale of Two Cities That Could Only Be One’, Al Manakh, 31 August 2010.

Geoff Pound

Image: Abu Dubai (photo courtesy of Al Manakh at the above link). Click to enlarge.

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.

Sheikh Mohammed on the United Arab Emirates

'We Are One Nation'
This interview with His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (25 June 2010), is important for understanding where Dubai is positioned following the global recession. It is also pertinent to understanding how Fujairah fits with other emirates into the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking not only as the Ruler of Dubai but the Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum says:

“The UAE is not just Abu Dhabi and Dubai—there are another five emirates and we all look after each other. We are one nation. We are one country. We are one President. The relationship is very good between the Emirates and we have a challenge now to bring the other emirates in line with Abu Dhabi and Dubai.”

‘It’s Not a Recession, it’s a Challenge’




Related
Sheikh Mohammed Called ‘Sheikh Mo Mentum’ at the US Horse Racing Sales, ETE.
More on Mohammed the Facebooking Twittering Sheikh of Dubai, UAE, ETE.
Make Sure to Connect with Sheikh Mohammed’s Correct Facebook Page, ETE.
Sheikh Mohammed Gets Public Page on Facebook and Thousands of Fans, ETE.
Sheikh Mohammed Showered With Birthday Greetings and Facebook Gifts, ETE.
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Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Judged One of the 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century, ETE.
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Sheikh Mohammed Hailed as Most Powerful in Horse Racing Industry, ETE.
Sheikh Mohammed Pays Record Price for Aussie Horse Racing Deal, ETE.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Ambitions for Middle East, ETE.
Sheikh Mohammad Models Rare Style of Leadership, ETE.
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Dubai and Sheikh Mohammed on 60 Minutes Video, ETE.

Geoff Pound

More on Fujairah
This article and more information on Fujairah is posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

“…and it is culturally insensitive to ask an Emirati whether…”

Welcome to Britain
New tips on extending a warm welcome to overseas visitors in the run up to the 2012 Olympics have been posted recently by VisitBritain, the national tourism agency.

Here’s a sample of the suggestions (read the article for explanations) to help the English to be more culturally aware:
* A smiling Japanese person is not necessarily happy…
* Be careful how you pour wine for an Argentinian…
* Avoid winking at someone from Hong Kong…
* Avoid physical contact when first meeting someone from India…
* Never call a Canadian an American…
* Avoid saying ‘’thank you’’ to a Chinese compliment…
* Do not take offence if an Australian makes a joke about ‘Poms’…

Arabs and Emiratis
Here are the pointers in the article relevant to welcoming Arabs and Emiratis:
“Remember Arabs are not used to being told what to do. Visitors from the United Arab Emirates can take great offence if you appear bossy. They appreciate being looked after by staff who have been trained to understand Arab culture. For example, it is culturally insensitive to ask an Emirati whether they want bacon with their eggs or to include a half bottle of wine with the table d’hote menu.”

Welcome to the Emirates
At this time of the year when many have recently arrived to become expats in the Emirates it is advisable to be refreshed in Emirati etiquette or simply ‘what goes on around here.’

Here are some resources, books and links:
Check out Fines Before You Spit, Litter, Urinate or Abandon Items on UAE Streets, ETE, 15 July 2009.
Men, Leave Your Jewellery at Home when you Visit the Emirates, ETE, 22 July 2009.
‘Sex on the Beach’ Case is Tarnishing UAE as Holiday Destination, ETE, 9 September 2008.
What to Wear in the UAE? ETE, 24 November 2007.
Etiquette in the Emirates, ETE, 21 February 2008.
Drug Laws in the UAE: Travellers Beware! ETE, 4 March 2008.
The UAE and the Law, ETE, 30 December 2007.
UAE Information: Essential Guide for New Residents to the Emirates, ETE, 1 January 2008.
Dubai Malls Join Anti-Indecency Campaign, Gulf News, 7 August 2009.
Don’t they Know It’s Friday by Jeremy Williams, RBAM, 6 June 2008.
Are you ready to come to the UAE? ETE, 6 June 2008.

Becoming Expert in Culture
Britain might have issued their cultural tips to raise their profile as a tourist-friendly nation but there are more important reasons for becoming adept at reading the local culture.

A series of highly publicized bloopers made by British tourists in the Emirates some time back raised alarm bells and scared tourists away from visiting the UAE. Even an article like this can induce the fear among expats about making a blunder and causing disrespect to the people of the land.

Things will be different living in a new country. If people don’t like the way things happen here they can go home. Encountering cultural differences will challenge our culture and question the way we do things and why we do them.

Living in another culture can be one of the greatest educators if we embrace the experience as a growing adventure.

Geoff Pound

Image: This looks like a cultural difference! Khalil Bin Mossa (Fujairah Media) and Ross Brown (Manager of the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club), greeting each other at the recent Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament 2010.

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page upon which many more articles and links are posted than on this blog.