Sad day for UAE as Last ‘Founding Father’ Dies
This really is the passing of an era rather than one man, the passing of the last of the men who brought this country from a scattered land of tribal peoples to become a modern nation.
Should U.S. citizens fear Islam? – Senator
No serious journalist would ask a random black guy with a briefcase on the street to explain the pathology of an African American criminal because of the coincidence of shared skin colour…
Is There or Ain’t There Arabic Science Fiction?
I am hardly a sci-fi expert, but there do seem to be stirrings on the Arabic science fiction horizon. Of course there is the very popular Egyptian sci-fi author Ahmed Khaled Tawfiq, who has written more than 200 books…
Saudi Education – A Fight to Enter the 21st Century…
The ministry has big plans for education but also mountainous challenges. The religious establishment, in control for so long, are in almost every office… This control goes way back to 1960 when girls were allowed to get an education.
The Essence of Islam: Are We Missing the Point?
To some, a Monet is only a collection of dots. To others, it is a perfect masterpiece. To some, Islam is nothing but a code of rules and regulations. But, to those who understand, it is a perfect vision of life.
Taxis in the UAE – Who’s Being Taken for a Ride?
It’s expensive stuff, this taking a taxi. And yet the drivers seem to be worse off than ever – although I don’t see the large numbers of middlemen at the taxi companies and regulators suffering.
Why Tone Matters in Reporting
We have two ways to look at what was said from two different media reports about one event – and I am deeply concerned that papers can report one man’s words so differently. So which one is wrong?
Just for a Moment, I was Mistress of my Being
I appreciated that very moment, the wondrousness of my breath, and the stillness of everything being in exactly the right place at the right time.
Sponsorship for Sale – Why the Practice Should End
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: The sponsorship system does more harm than good, and the authorities should take the brave, but unpopular (amongst locals) step of ending it.
To be at the Show, Or not be. That’s the question
Many reasons are given for putting on and attending exhibitions but perhaps they’re not the right ones. The reason that events such as GITEX continue to exist is they fulfill a basic human need to meet with your peers.
Frenemies, NBFs, Snatch Squads…
President throws stone, new ‘best friends forever’ hang out, Obama snubbed, ‘The Elders’ regional tour kicks off. A week is, indeed, a long time in Middle East politics
Forget Our Differences, Let’s Just Shop
Stop talking about politics and extremism and go shopping. It’s what made the Islamic world great (and rich) after all…
Radio Daze – Why Saudi Radio gets no Reception
When MOCI, after 3 years of stagnation, finally decided to grant licenses for new radio stations, the average price was around SR50 million…
PRs, Blogging, and (Not) Understanding Your Audience
Anyone that wants me to go to a launch announcement ‘as a blogger’ has similarly not invested the time to work out that not only do I not care, I actively do not care. I vocally and negatively do not care.
Abu Dhabi’s rise as a knowledge based economy
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: By reaching out to others, Abu Dhabi’s knowledge hubs can function as musical instruments that, when played together, create a harmonious symphony.
The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus
A new translation of Boulus poem made M. Lynx Qualey reflect on how little-known the towering, excellent Boulus is in English—outside of Banipal readers.
Give the social media toddler a chance, Mr Gladwell!
The social media community has reacted emotionally to Malcolm Gladwell’s calculated attack, but has he got a point? “Social media is like a toddler, but nobody yet knows what promise that toddler holds…”
Telcos & Disintermediation: Slow Motion Car Crash
Telcos are staring looming disintermediation in the face and don’t have the faintest clue what to do about it.
On being a Muslim: One size does not fit all
Recent marketing and advertising research concludes that ‘Muslims are diverse’. Why can’t Muslims be of the same opinion?
