Al Fahidi Fort was built in several phases. The oldest tower was built around 1787, and is believed to be the oldest building in Dubai that still exists today. The fort was used to guard the landward approaches to the town from the raids of neither ruler's palace, a garrison, and a prison. (Wikipedia) October 2019
[from FB post: December 2, 2011]
Last night was UAE's 40th National Day celebration. I saw it last year as well....and the fireworks last year were over the top cuz it was also the opening of Burj Khalifa and the fireworks were set all around that building. This year was more about history and pageantry... and the setting was Dubai Creek (the old part of town). However.... they had guys on jet skis with acrobatic kites that were lit up and streaming fireworks. THAT was impressive!
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For anyone who is worried about the USA getting overrun by illegals and foreigners.... 88.5% of this country(UAE) is FOREIGN. Can you imagine being that much of a minority in your own country? I personally almost find it scary to make up just a little over 10% of your own country's population. It almost seems "risky"....
The former "trucial states" of the Persian Gulf coalesced into the current United Arab Emirates in the early 1970s after their independence from the UK. With oil wealth and the vision of a few of their Sheikhs, the new nation transformed a collection of Bedouin tribes into one of the wealthiest nations on earth. What is nationhood then? There are so few Emiratis that when one is spotted in their own country it is something of an event (whispers occasionally overheard: "he's an Emirati"). The only Emiratis I ever met were at immigration and at the bank in the brief time I had an account in Dubai (the manager was Emirati). How can there be a country where the residents and "owners" are largely absent? Are the Emiratis actually proud to be from their homeland, or are they just in drunken state of excess, being able to live in any way they please without thought to money? (excepting, of course, the women who still must follow the rules of "guardianship")
I saw two national days in UAE and both were over the top. Nothing unusual about that - any country's national day is that way. Both times, however, the events were totally managed and put on by foreigners - the Emiratis conspicuously absent from the crowds (well, to be fair, there are so few of them, maybe they weren't obvious). Basically, all the foreign workers were excited about National Day (because they got a day off and witnessed incredible pageantry) and so were the lucky tourists (like me) who happened to be passing through. What is the point of a National Day if the citizens themselves don't participate and are not obviously present?
I have no idea if in the history of the world there have ever been similar economies to the oil-rich Gulf states who are minorities in their own countries? Having foreign labor come to do work (like in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and formerly Iraq) is an age old practice, but actually to be a minority in a country while 90% of the "other residents" do the work? How absolutely odd, and for me, "non-nationalistic". What pride can Emiratis take in a country where they never worked and in which they seemingly have no stake?
Is the United Arab Emirates even real? At least the millions of Saudis outnumber their laborers. Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, on the other hand, what odd moments in human history.