Fujairah Ruler Expresses Condolences

Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, issued a statement extending his condolences to the Al Nahyan family upon the death of Shaikh Nasser Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died on Monday 2 June 2008 in a helicopter crash.

The Fujairah ruler also represented the citizens of his emirate at the funeral prayers that were held on Tuesday.

Shaikh Nasser was the brother of the UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: UAE flags flying at half-mast this week.

Fujairah on Google Earth

Google Goodness
Anyone thinking of coming to Fujairah for a holiday or to live for a time might get a good idea from having a look at the city and emirate on Google Earth.

Fly to Fujairah
Once you are in Google Earth, putting ‘Fujairah, United Arab Emirates’ into the Search function should ‘fly’ you there with speed.

You will quickly see why Fujairah is such a treasure, nestled under the towering Hajar Mountains and so close to the Arabian Sea (Indian Ocean). The rectangular street pattern reveals the flatness of the Fujairah city and the brown colouring of the city lets you know there is more dust than the green, green grass of home. It is good to see some parks and a date farm or two within the city limits. See how many swimming pools you can spot? There are one or two in the suburb of Faseel and specifically in the White Village.

Southward Direction
Flying south along the coastline you will see the new wharf where rocks are being exported to Iran and other countries. It makes you wonder how much will be left of the Hajars in another decade after trillions of truck loads of rocks have been taken to form the foundation of Dubai’s skyscrapers and now they are being exported overseas! Unfortunately Google Earth reveals the many quarries around Fujairah that scar the mountainous landscape. Some are placed too close to communities and they bring harm to people, especially those who already have respiratory problems such as asthma.

Further south you will see Kalba (Khalba) which is an enclave of the emirate of Sharjah. What is identified as a ‘lagoon’ represents a valuable wetland for hundreds of migratory birds. Only a few kilometers further south you will see a yellow line which denotes the UAE-Omani border.

Proximity to Oman is another good reason to be living in Fujairah but bring your passport if you are crossing the border by car. There is a fence that marks the border if you are walking south on the Kalba Beach. If you get too near the border the officials up in the lookout wave their arms and their rifles and don’t take kindly to you having your photo taken with one foot in each country (even though this is No Person’s Land).

Going North
North from Fujairah city you will see how the Hajars hug the coast. There’s the port and oil refinery and soon to be the pipeline that will bring gas from Qatar via Abu Dhabi.

Moving north to Khorfakkan (also spelt Khaw Fakkan) we are back in the Sharjah emirate, an emirate that has its territories bordering the western and the eastern coasts of the UAE.

The blue dots identify a string of hotels and there are islands where lots of diving takes place.

See how far north the emirate of Fujairah extends. When you get to Dibba you will see the yellow emirate and national boundaries cutting in all directions and dissecting Dibba into Fujairah, Sharjah and the country of Oman. It is remarkable all these state and national enclaves exist and are probably the result of much debate and endless disputes.

Bird’s Eye View
Google Earth gives to travelers and residents a sense of perspective about Fujairah and an indication of distances between the city and its outposts. It gives any navigator an god insight into how to plan a weekend round trip from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. I am amazed at how many friends in other countries of the world check out our bearings to see our house and whether they can see us taking out the rubbish!

Google Map
Since the creation of Google Earth there have spawned many local Google Earth communities around the world—people who on this resource take different parts of their town and add identification tags to indicate parks, shopping malls, schools, places of worship etc.

I am unsure about the existence of a Google Earth Community in Fujairah but in the absence of decent maps of Fujairah and realizing that new streets and institutions are being developed every year, working intentionally on a comprehensive Fujairah street and landmark map might be a useful community project.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Google Earth photo of Fujairah (click to magnify).

Oil Slick on Fujairah Beaches Again

The three kilometre oil slick along Fujairah’s coastline today was described as ‘massive’, ‘significant’, ‘the biggest spill yet’ and ‘too big’.

People interviewed by The National reporter indicated that ‘minor slicks were common’ and ‘it happens almost every day’.

This new oil slick has killed marine life, put a stop to beach and marine recreation and will again cause hotels and diving clubs to feel the financial strain.

The magnitude of this spill is enormous and tragic. The regularity of the slicks is another sign of the impotence of the systems for surveillance and policing.

Some practical solutions have been recommended again and again but the action by the authorities has been ineffective.

Source: ‘Oil Spills Blacken Fujairah,’ The National, 2 June 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Recent Oil Slick on Fujairah beach.

Further 2008 Articles:
UAE Negligent in Policing Fujairah waters, FIF, 2 April 2008
Further oil Spills Call for Urgent Action, FIF, 11 March 2008
Oil Damages Fujairah Beaches, Marine Life and Tourism, FIF, 20 February 2008

Road to Fujairah

Coming from Dubai to Fujairah one approaches the mountains at Masafi and for the next few kilometers there are some sensational views.

Take a look at this photo by Alex in its expanded form and go to the site where it is originally posted.

There are several other photos on this site of Fujairah and the UAE.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Mountains of Fujairah (with thanks to Alex)

Directions from Dubai to Fujairah, Fujairah in Focus

Fujairah Tourism Articles

Summer Fair in Fujairah Opens, MENAFN, 28 May 2008.
Fujairah Hosts Arab Cultural Forum, MENAFN, 27 May 2008.
Fast Lane to Fujairah, Arabian Business, 26 May 2008.
Fujairah Tourism Bureau
Fujairah Tourism Targets: 100% Natural, FIF, 26 October 2007.
Greater Sharjah & Fujairah tourism Cooperation…, FIF, 1 November 2008.
Fujairah Targets Tourism for Growth, AMEINFO, 25 October 2007.
Fujairah to Spend Dh3b on Tourism, UAEInteract, 4 September 2005.

Renter Migration to Fujairah

Nubricks, the ‘online launch pad for international property developments and overseas property news alerts, has posted an article on the effect of the unacceptably high rent in Dubai.

Here is the punch line:

“In addition to the drastic measures of upping sticks lock, stock and barrel, many expatriate residents are considering a longer commute relocating to the neighbouring emirates of Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al-Quwain and even capital Abu Dhabi , where the cost of living is notably lower.”

Cheaper rents in these far-flung areas, at least for the moment. This ripple effect is gradually raising the rent but not to the Dubai levels. It would be interesting to compare the other major costs of living between Dubai and the cities at the extremities of the Emirates.

Driving from Fujairah earlier this week to attend a breakfast meeting at the Dubai airport made me realize how many people make this 90+ minute commute from Fujairah to Dubai-Sharjah and back every day.

One attractive prospect is that the new highway (ready in 2009?) promises to cut the time spent in the car considerably (to 45 minutes) but with the Emirati love affair with the car, this tripping in and out is a breeze.

Check out the full article at: Mark Benson, ‘Soaring Dubai Rents Good for RAK…”, Nubricks, 7 May 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Dubai renters heading out east.

Pipe Links Fujairah with Largest Gas Field

Just in case you missed it The National ran an article commemorating the historic launch of the ‘Dolphin gas pipeline’ in May 2008.

The 364km pipeline will run from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Taweelah in Abu Dhabi, thence to Dubai, Al Ain, Fujairah and Oman (if there’s any gas left!).

This is a significant project in many ways:
* It is amazing that oil rich UAE is importing gas
* The source is the largest gas field in the world
* The project represents a partnership of three countries in the Gulf region
* It is part of the GCC plan in creating a single market and currency by 2010

Link to the article:
Tom Ashby, Leaders Launch Historic Pipeline, The National, 12 May 2008.

Image: Dolphin Gas Project pipeline construction.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Fishing: Quintessentially Fujairah

It must be that time of the year for great fishing because here is a link to another series of photos of Bengali fishermen in Fujairah going about their daily business.

They are assisted greatly these days by the jeeps that drag these mile long nets onto the beach but it is still an arduous routine, until the fish are pulled onto the beach.

Many thanks to photographer and blogger, Hans Mast, for posting a large number of fishing photos on his site.

Check out his great photos at HansMast.Com:

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: A sample of Hans Mast’s fishing fotography in Fujairah—‘the catch’

Also:
Fishing, Fish Farming & Eating Fish in UAE FIF, 25 May 2008.

Fishing, Fish Farming & Eating Fish in UAE

The National has recently posted an article that will make your mouth water and get your salivary glands working.

Fishing is a different game in the Arabian Sea and this article gives a thumbnail description of the main varieties—hammour (the UAE’s favourite fish), biah, helwayoo, safi, kingfish, silver pomfrey and sobaity.

Check out this article because most importantly, there are some tips on how to cook these fish (whether you hook them in or buy them from the fish market).

This article also focuses on the problem of over fishing and alludes to fish farming in Fujairah that produces up to 2,000 tonnes per year, with more facilities in the pipeline.

Link: James Brennan, ‘Plenty More Fish’, The National, 13 May 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: How’s this for a hammour? The link to this web site (which is about fishing in the UAE) and it is in French.

Further Fish or Fishing Articles:
Fujairah Fly-fishing capital of the UAE, FIF, 15 November 2007.
Fujairah: Salt Water Fish Capital of the UAE, ETE, 3 June 2007.
Fishing in Fujairah, ETE, 27 April 2007.
Dead Fish, Oil and the Fujairah Beaches, ETE, 12 April 2007.

Fujairah: Gearing Up for Tourist Boom

An Emirates Business 24-7 article describes the way the different emirates (including Fujairah) are gearing up to cope with the growing tourist boom in the UAE. Here is a snippet from Karen Remo-Listana’s article, 24 May 2008:

“Fujairah has between 1,500 and 1,600 hotel rooms and is aiming to increase its capacity to 5,000 in the next five years. The Fujairah Government allocated Dh2.94bn in 2006 for the development of tourism over five years. One of the biggest moves was building a 76km road costing an estimated Dh1.2bn to connect Fujairah to Dubai. The highway is expected to open by the end of this year. The establishment of the new Creativity City, the enhancement of the facilities at Fujairah Airport plus entertainment facilities and shopping malls are expected to further stimulate tourism.”

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: One of Fujairah’s popular landmarks—the Coffee Pot Roundabout, Faseel. This is very near the Hilton Hotel.

Fujairah: Trashing Beautiful Environment

Vesela Todorova has an article in The National (22 May 2008) entitled, ‘Fujairah Wadis Choking on Waste’. It begins:

“Visitors are leaving between 260 and 840kg of rubbish per square kilometre at popular recreation sites each week, a Sharjah-based scientist has estimated.”

“Sandra Knuteson, the assistant professor of environmental science at the American University of Sharjah, collected and measured rubbish – including plastic bottles, glass, aluminium cans, paper, food wrapping and nappies – discarded at two popular wadis in Fujairah and Hatta.”

“‘Littering happens everywhere, but trying to regulate it is important,’ she said. ‘In other parts of the world, there is a big fine for dropping litter.’”

There is more to read in the article at this link.

Newspapers and blogs often cover articles on Fujairah’s sensational beauty but all too often there is a need to write about the trashing of our environment.

Dr Geoff Pound

Extra:

UAE Managers

UAE Expats

UAE Roads & Traffic

UAE Women

Fujairah at DH18,000 a night

Reena Amos Dyes has written an article for Emirates Business 24-7 describing the luxury penthouse at Fujairah’s Le Méridien Hotel.

More than Dh18,000 a night! How does one sleep when you are thinking about paying the bill the next day?

Check out this article and all the mod cons before you decide how many nights you want to book in this Royal Suite.

How does one get a Hotel/Resort journalist job that requires spending a weekend in luxurious surroundings researching these articles?

Link: Reena Amos Dyes, ‘Royal Treatment in Fujairah’, Emirates Business 24-7, 22 May 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: The inside of what must be the most expensive hotel room in the Emirates (there are plenty more rooms at Le Méridien or elsewhere going for lower rates).

Fujairah: ‘So Much to See Here!’

Journalist for The National, Tala al Ramahi, has written a great article on the delights of the United Arab Emirates, especially Fujairah and the East Coast.

Here is a taste of Tala’s reflections after getting out of the Abu Dhabi office to show a friend the whole country:

“A three-hour drive to Fujairah, two weeks ago, provided me with enough evidence that I did not need to travel far to witness beauty on a par – if not surpassing – that which I have seen in places I could reach only through a long (and dehydrating) plane trip.”

“Fujairah’s geography, particularly, the mountainous terrain that lines its 90 kilometre coastline, brought flashbacks of my trip to Waikiki, Hawaii’s most famous beach. Not only were the similarities uncanny, but I was also pleasantly surprised you did not have to pay hefty hotel entrance fees to gain access to the crystal-clear waters of Al-Aqah beach. And while divers I met have constantly praised the rich marine life of the emirate, it took a snorkelling trip around Snoopy Island to make me realise they were not exaggerating.”

“Equally moving, I thought, was one of the wonders of the north to be found just a couple of minutes drive from Al Aqah beach: Al Bidya mosque, a mud structure built in the 15th century, making it the oldest mosque in the country.”

Tala’s final words are these: “Do not forget that this country has more to offer, historically, culturally and environmentally.”

To see the entire article follow this link, ‘So much to see here – and I just didn’t know’, The National, 20 May 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: “Fujairah’s geography, particularly, the mountainous terrain that lines its 90 kilometre coastline, brought flashbacks of my trip to Waikiki, Hawaii’s most famous beach.”

Extra—Recent Articles at Experiencing the Emirates

UAE Report on Human Trafficking

Masdarize the Entire UAE

The Road: The Most Dangerous Place in the Emirates

New Steel Plant for Fujairah

A newly proposed steel plant in Fujairah will be one of the top ten new steel production projects in GCC countries.

This amounts to a staggering investment value of USD 9.5 billion.

The Sojitz Corporation Steel Plant is the Fujairah project at a cost of USD 1 billion. This is a plant that will turn iron ore pellets into steel billets with a capacity of 1.5 million tonnes a year.

To read more about the top ten steel projects planned for the GCC countries follow this link:

SteelGuru News, 20 May 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Steel billets.

Extra—Recent Articles at Experiencing the Emirates

UAE Report on Human Trafficking

Masdarize the Entire UAE

The Most Dangerous Place in the Emirates

Fujairah Growth at Expense of Fujairah Environment

In a wide-ranging and interesting interview with Gulf News, Eng Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, the deputy director of the Fujairah Municipality, speaks about the improved infrastructure (roads and drainage) and the growth in the Emirate’s tourism, recreation facilities, real estate as well as the forthcoming Al Hillel city, which will comprise residential, business and commercial strands.

It was heartening to read that twice in the interview the Deputy Director stressed the commitment of the municipality to ensure that the economic development of Fujairah was not at the detriment of the environment.

Eng Mohammed Saif Al Afkham said, “On marine pollution, we work closely with environmental clean-up companies who make recommendations on methods of keeping a watch on polluters and ways of dealing with oil spills.”

The three oil spills that have occurred in the last two months indicate that the municipality’s initiatives are insufficient and are not working effectively. The growth of the oil industry in Fujairah is significant but the trio of oil spills is endangering other industries including tourism, hotels, recreational sports and fishing.

The municipality’s close work with clean-up companies and detection groups is to be applauded. It would be good, however, for the public to learn more about the new recommendations and the steps that are being taken to prevent the pollution of the beaches and destroying the marine environment.

Source: Fuad Ali, ‘Fujairah Gears Up for Rapid Growth’, Gulf News, 20 April 2008.

Earlier reports of oil spillages in 2008:

Oil Damages Fujairah beaches, Marine Life and Tourism, February 2008.
Further Oil Spillages, March 2008.

Further commentary and solutions are offered in an article entitled: ‘Monitor the Oil Tankers and Keep our Beaches Clean’, The National, 11 May 2008.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Fujairah foreshore.

Fujairah Bans Smoking to Boost Public Health

Fujairah has already outlawed shisha smoking in outdoor cafes and smoking in barber shops.

Now, according to Fuad Ali’s Gulf News report (25 April 2008), the Fujairah Municipality is banning smoking in ‘government areas and open public spaces’ (further explanation is needed).

Hopefully the next thing will be compulsory filters on vehicle exhaust systems, regular testing and the policing of heavily smoking cars and trucks.

This legislation then needs to be followed by closing down quarries near residential areas that are blowing dust particles into the atmosphere, banning rubbish fires and regulating industrial emissions.

It is good to hear Al Qasim, Head of the Environmental section at the Fujairah Municipality implementing his strategy “to improve the environment and boost public health.”

An independent study needs to be urgently commissioned to look at air pollution in Fujairah and bring further recommendations that will enhance the health and safety of its residents.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: “heavily smoking cars and trucks.”

Video Footage of Fujairah

A person by the name of Jerry, taking time off from the World 8 Ball Championship, has taken 9 minutes of film footage on some sights of Fujairah.

The first two minutes offers a good look at Le Meridien Hotel which has not only a good beach but the biggest swimming pool in the Emirates.

One gets a look at the Al Bidya mosque, the oldest mosque in the UAE and still being used for prayer, the Fujairah museum and the fort. The final minute offers some views of the Miramar Hotel.

The film is slow and upbeat but worth a look.

Link: Fujairah Scenery

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: The Fujairah Fort

Fujairah Features in The National Newspaper

Truly National
It is to be expected that The National newspaper, which has been launched today in paper and online, will contain many stories and photographs from the city that is paying its bills.

It is pleasing, however, to discover that the virgin issue has several stories from Fujairah which signals that the newspaper is aiming to have a national reach in reality as well as in name.

Everyday Life in Fujairah
Already being favourably quoted in blogs today is a story by Rym Tina Ghazal about a Fujairah woman who speaks about her sense of isolation in the eastern emirate, what it was like to weather Cyclone Gonu, the assistance of maids, access to health, and life generally in the overgrown village. This is one person’s impression but the number of Fujairah people commuting each day to Dubai and Sharjah reveals another picture of connection across the country and it highlights Fujairah’s new role as the most affordable dormitory suburb of Dubai.

Fujairah Fotographs
In a report of the Saudi sale of Etisalat shares it is good to see a picture of the distinctive Etisalat Tower in Fujairah and another scene from the eastern city in The National’s Picture Gallery.

Finance Fuels Fujairah Economy
As evidence that The National journos have been writing dummy runs for weeks, a business story posted on 24 March 2008 by Hugh Naylor describes the impact on the UAE government injection of finance in upgrading Fujairah roads, drainage and sewerage systems.

Fujairah Fish Prices Falling
After months of complaining about the exorbitant price of fresh fish, another story written days before The National was launched, reports the dramatic falling of fish prices. It highlights the rush to the Fujairah fish markets where, in contrast to the other emirates, no minimum prices have been established, leaving Fujairah with the greatest supply and the lowest prices.

The article adds a reminder saying that while Fujairah fish are being sold at bargain basement prices, the savings will be wiped out once you’ve paid the petrol costs to drive to Fujairah and home! But why not turn your trip to the Fujairah markets into a pleasant drive, not only to fill your deep freeze but to experience some authentic Emirati culture?

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: Moza al Kaabi is the first person from Fujairah to feature in The National.

Fujairah’s Flying Angel Ship is Making Waves in Marine World

In an article in the Maritime Global Net news, Fujairah’s Flying Angel is reported to be growing wings:

The news item entitled ‘DUBAI SUPPORT BOAT'S FIRST YEAR’ gives the following account:

“The Flying Angel – the world’s first floating seafarers’ centre owned and operated by The Mission to Seafarers – has welcomed over 3,000 seafarers onboard since entering full-time service in the port of Fujairah, Dubai on 15 April last year.”

“The purpose-built support boat takes its name from the flying angel logo of The Mission to Seafarers, the international society that has been caring for seafarers for over 150 years.”

“The 27-metre vessel provides similar facilities to the Mission’s 100-plus land-based centres including a bank of computers, telephones, access to a chaplain for services and counselling, as well an additional service of a medical clinic with a full-time paramedic onboard.”

“‘We have had an excellent first year serving the seafarers who are at anchor miles away from the shore,’ said the Revd Stephen Miller, port chaplain to Dubai. ‘For the vast majority of seafarers waiting in the anchorage, the costs incurred for getting to shore are simply too great. Therefore we are able to provide a facility which allows seafarers the chance to relax away from their vessels without the need for costly water-taxi services. The boat also helps shipowners because staff return to their posts refreshed and refocused on their tasks.’”

“In the last 5 years the anchorage at Fujairah has become one of the largest in the world with over 100 vessels, or nearly 3,000 seafarers waiting at any one time. Ships wait at anchor for repair, visits by company superintendents, recrewing, reprovisioning and refuelling.”

“Since launching in April 2007, The Flying Angel has visited over 197 ships, connected nearly 4,500 telephone calls, provided over 2,300 hours of internet time and distributed nearly 3,000 books, magazines and other items of literature.”

“‘A lot of 2007 has seen us trying new things to see what benefits seafarers most,’ reflected Stephen on the year. ‘However, more and more seafarers tell us what a great help the Flying Angel has been to them and we hope to grow our services to reach even more seafarers in the years to come.’”

Source: ‘Dubai Supports Boat’s First Year’, Maritime Global Net, 15 April 2008.

Image: The Flying Angel—the world’s first seafarer’s centre.

UAE Drivers Need Ongoing Driving Education

The recent reports of the high fatality and injury rate on Fujairah roads point to a catastrophe and this in a country where drunken driving is not the major contributor.

Traffic education happens primarily before drivers get their license and this is supplemented by some publicity during the annual National Campaign for Traffic Safety Awareness week.

In a country that has the highest number of cars in the world but also the dubious record for the highest number of traffic injuries on the globe it is crucial that there be ongoing compulsory education for all drivers.

The Khaleej Times article (13 April 2008) citing the 745 accidents on Fujairah roads in this last month said that high speeds and the failure to wear safety belts were major factors for the carnage.

The implementation of speed cameras and the raising of fines and demerit points have provided some deterrence but what is needed is regular education.

A compulsory, ongoing education for drivers must give urgent attention to these issues:
* Speeding
* Tailgating (in the tailgating capital of the world)
* Seat belt wearing and the In ša’ Allāh (إن شاء الله) factor
* Pedestrian Crossings (the most dangerous places in the UAE)
* Stop Signs (these are not Give Way signs)

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: “High speeds…major factor.”