"Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

Following the comments about the pork not being on show at the Friday brunches (see 'Brunch Madness' thread), perhaps because someone had complained, I'd like to observe that it simply reinforces a view that has been growing in me for some time...... Dubai is becoming more "Islamic".

Just little ways at first, but perhaps they all add up to something.

Random examples - when I first went to MOTE after it opened, they did not broadcast the prayers at all - whereas the last time I was there it was deafening......... was it my imagination, or were a greater number of young ladies wearing short skirts etc in the malls during the last Ramadan being stopped by security guards and asked to cover up or leave........ and has anyone noticed (not widely reported, but others I know have noticed it too) a few shops in places like Karama and Bastikiya now close for the main evening prayers?

And what was someone saying recently about outdoor venues, music, etc? (Remind me - can't recall all the details - has the law changed?)

Not sure if this adds up to anything in particular - but I'm sure there's a definable trend.

Dubai's future - according to HH himself (see recent article I posted) - will rely heavily on Western tourists to secure its future. This is NOT the way to go about it.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

I don't think law has changed regarding music/dancing outdoors, they just chose to implement more heavy handedly - not surprising in the case of somewhere like Barasti which was a horrible place to be last year (we were there a few weeks ago and it seemed to be returning to the Barasti of old, a lot better).

The new 'off-shore' casino at Palm Island may raise a few eyebrows though.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

But what about my general point....... becoming more 'Islamic'....?

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

I heard that the no loud music rule was implemented after a complaint from Princess Haya, just after she had her baby. I think she lives near Mina Seyahi and the noise from Barasti was annoying her. A word in the husband's ear et voila!


Edit - but is it becoming more Islamic? Not sure - only been here a couple of years. Seems to me that for an Islamic country it is fairly liberal about most things.


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Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

I don't think so, it's more of case of regaining control before things get out of hand.

Dubai has been very flexible in terms of catering to non-Muslims, but it seemed to be getting to the point where some bars were taking the piss.

More a case of reminding them where they are who is in charge.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

i don't think it's becoming more islamic, but the pork at brunch is a good example of howsomeone with mega wasta gets what they want here. There were loads more places open in ramadan last year, and many were barely screened off...and i have never seen security guards stop anyone for what they are wearing, even during ramadan...You also see more and more dish dash guys out in bars drinking...

Don't think they can afford for it to get more islamic or the tourist bubble will defo burst...and then it will all come crashing down...

MM, xx

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

We were in Dhow and Anchor a few weeks ago and dish dashes outnumbered football tops.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

what a playground that will be.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.

Dubai is becoming more Islamic because it couldn't get any less so.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

You reckon?

What about allowing alcohol to be bought/consumed freely, without licences, or in restaurants generally (not just in the ones in hotels)?

That's just one example.........

....... and even if you are right, why change at all?

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

Yes,that's what I mean-sorry if I didn't word it properly.Dubai is imho nominally Islamic.Its so far down the 'unislamic'road that the only way back is up.The music ban,which may be a licensing thing or a noise complaint -is open to interpretation-one of which might be the ban is an effort to appear/become more Islamic.
Just doin as ya asked and discussing the topic-not saying I am right.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

I imagine there is quite a lot of feeling amongst locals that their cultural and religious values are being eroded by immigrants (rightly or wrongly), and they want to preserve their "way of life". There are plenty of people in the UK who feel the same way. Strange, huh?

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

I'm not a number cruncher but I am sure pro rata per capita,indigent-v- immigrant population in Dubai is a similar ratio to Abu Dhabi. Imho-AD is obviously more Islamic in its architecture; 'immigrants' observance of Islam i.e -its a given the music goes off at sports clubs and o.s venues shortly before prayer call; the proactive work of Cultural Foundation etc in bringing tradition and cultural values to attention of expats i.e visiting schools,holding music/dance events on Corniche and free admission to Heritage Village..Personally, I believe Dubai-ites' 'way of life' was greatly compromised when land and property were sold off into foreign ownership.
I agree with Northernlad's point about regaining control.
We are told 'HH' believes Dubai's future lies with western tourists.That being the case then yes Dubai-ites have to re-invent their Emirate,polish it up and peddle it as ' Arabian'-not a sunny Benalmadna complete with The Red Lion belly buster breakfasts and Eastenders showing through happy hour .There was a thread on here very recently about how Dubai is now the cheap '5 star' choice of Mr and Mrs Chav.....
If Dubai's future relies on tourism then trying to take back control,promoting its culture and traditions ergo reverting to more Islamic ways and offering something typically Arabian- different to numerous commutable holiday resorts-imho is the way to start.

As for the UK-Not really interested, the Govt's faffing the place up so much.Coupled with the weather,Brits,Immigrants,Illegals,Outlaws,Inlaws who cares -they are welcome to it.Sorry,didn't mean to go on so-too much caffeine.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

Good points. Dubai needs its own USP, rather than being the Vegas of Arabia.

Re: "Dubai Is Becoming More Islamic" - Discuss.
 

When I came as a tourist I knew almost nothing about Dubai, I went to a restaurant and ordered a ncie steak and a beer and was told 'no alcohol' then went to the hotel for breakfast the next morning and was faced with beef bacon, which horrified me, chicken sausages which almost killed me and foul madames which I still don't know what they are, all I want was some bacon and sausages and all the staff were indian anyway, so not sure why there was no bacon, I was disappointed to say the least, bearing in mind almost everyone was a westener,

also sitting round our hotel pool I could always tell it was midday when loads of dead noise prayers were being heard from round the corner,

I can live with all of this, although it'll be a big change for me, going out with the lads on a wednesday night and getting drunk then coming into work hungover with a bacon sarnie under my arm(!), but its a whole new world to me,

but I hope it doesn't get too strict, I can behave myself very well but some things I find out about Dubai are a bit scary.