Last week's media round-up

Here is a sample of what I've been reading in the news during last week.

1- Saudi Arabia on UAE ID cards:

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/nation/10346497.html

Irena and the pursuit of renewable energy: The UAE is shooting itself in the foot and any success it achieves in this area will undermine the strategic role and value of oil.

" The nuclear programme: The UAE has gone it alone and has agreed to very aggressive terms in signing its nuclear deal. This has created an unfortunate precedent for any future negotiations that other Gulf States may embark on.

" Security and the Central Bank: The economic openness of the UAE has attracted many shady characters (members of the intelligence services, mafia, thieves, etc.) and this is the reason why the Gulf Central Bank cannot be hosted in the UAE.

The words of: Dr Kamal Bin Mohammad Al Asbahy, adviser to the Department of Developmental Projects, Decision Making and Problem Solving in Saudi Arabia.

2- The Jewish jumper:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8241631.stm

"She never came in the shower with us, so we thought she was a little weird, but I had absolutely no idea she was actually a man." - contemporary of Dora Ratjen.

"I thought it would be a much better thing if a Jewish girl can show she can compete with anybody in the world." - Dora Ratjen

3- October 1st - Arab Israeli citizens strike

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090909/FOREIGN/709089850/1184/enewsletter

"The increasingly harsh political climate in Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government has prompted the leadership of the country’s 1.3 million Arab citizens to call the first general strike in several years.

The one-day stoppage is due to take place on October 1, a date heavy with symbolism because it marks the anniversary of another general strike, in 2000 at the start of the second intifada when 13 Arab demonstrators were shot dead by Israeli police."

from The National.

4- Sheikh Zayed's Advisor:

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090906/LIFE/709059970/1188/enewsletter

"Dr Zaki Nusseibeh is as excited as a child with a new toy. The ­latest hi-tech audio equipment has just been installed in his elegant drawing room, giving him access to his massive collection of classical ­music at the touch of a button. Two space-age silver and black speakers stand like slimline ­Daleks, ready to pour out his ­beloved ­Wagner so perfectly that it sounds as if the Bayreuth Symphony ­Orchestra is in the room.

...

When Jerusalem was occupied in 1967 his father, who knew Sheikh Zayed, suggested he come here. And although he started his career as a journalist, Nusseibeh’s linguistic skills (he speaks Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian) soon made him an indispensable member of the court.

Today, he serves as an adviser at the Presidential Court and interpreter for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE. He founded Abu Dhabi’s two classical music festivals, serves as vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and is a member of the board of the Sorbonne University."

from The National as well.

9/11 Eight Years On

On this fateful day eight years ago more than 3000 people lost their lives in New York city. Unfortunately the murder of those innocents lead to more lost lives all over the world. This day changed our modern world forever, and some might say the change was not for the best.

Murder and war rarely make civilisations stronger nor do they ensure stability. Look at the Pharos, Romans, Greeks, Mongols, Napoleon, British Empire, etc.. they have been well-documented by history. Rather than paint a negative picture let us try to paint a more positive one.

8 years feels like a long time and indeed I cannot remember much about how air travel was prior to 9/11. How uncomplicated. I cannot also remember how easy it was to enter the USA, since I never attempted to do so in the last 8 years. Let us hope that we can change things to the better, to push for more freedoms and civil liberties, to give voice to the weak, and to only use war as a last resort or a no-resort.

Above all, my thoughts go to the families of the initial victims in this domino game of doom that suffered and continue to suffer from 11/9/2009 and onwards. May you reach internal peace and may your loved ones rest in peace.

19/9/1430

My dear readers, today is a special day which we must not forget. I believe someone beat me to it and said it more eloquently here:

http://rockand-rose.blogspot.com/2009/09/19th-ramadan.html

Dubai Metro - A Welcoming!

Metro Dubai will be unrolled in a less than an hour! Will be opened by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum. Such a fantastic project for Dubai, the UAE, and the Arab World to be proud of. One of the fastest rates of construction. Just 49 months till now. Of course it's a phased opening but it's very impressive. Mabrook Dubai :) God Bless You!

Flying Rabbis

What do you think of this:

A group of rabbis and Jewish mystics has taken to the skies over Israel, praying and blowing ceremonial horns in a plane to ward off swine flu.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8196786.stm

Each religion has their own special ways to do things. For example Muslims will say a special prayer to induce rain. However, we can do our prayers from the ground :)