Cisco’s Sonar

Arabian Peninsula

By Bryce Neilson

Did I ever want to travel to the United Arab Emeritus (UAE)?  It had never crossed my mind until my sister Janet called and wanted to know if Doreen and I would like to travel with her.  Always up for an adventure we agreed and the tour was booked.

Everyone wondered why we wanted to go there.  After thinking about it, I wanted to know the truth about Arabs and Moslems, not what I have heard in the fake media.  It took us 13 hrs to fly from JFK on United Emeritus airline which is supposed to be one of the best.  If you are down in cattle car class it is like every other one, crowded and smelly.

We arrived at the beginning of good weather in the 80’s not like the 130 F in the summer.  We landed in Dubai and drove for two hours to Abu Dhabi for three days and back to Dubai for four days.  We went to all the attractions, biggest mosque, the biggest mall, the tallest building and the Louvre art museum.  We also went to Oman, out on the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, then into the desert with the Bedouin, falcons and camels. However, this piece is not about a vacation, but what we experienced and learned about the culture.

UAE is a combination of seven Bedouin tribes that each controlled a specific area.  In 1972, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi brought all the all of them together, made them into States and established the UAE.  He essentially created the country and even though he has died, is still remembered in public pictures and referred to as “the Father”.  With oil gushing out under them, they all started swimming in money.  Their forefathers probably had no money but today the Emeritus spend it lavishly.  You see, there are only two classes in UAE, Naturals and everyone else.  Emeritus are individuals who can trace their heritage back to their Bedouin forefathers.  They are the “Naturals” who have lavish amounts of money given to them.  They have palaces, cars, and free everything.  They have UAE passports.  They can come and go as they please. 

Since they live in luxury there needs to be a lot of people to do the work and maintain the Country.  70% of the population are immigrants.  They, primarily from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines are happy to be here even though they may be mistreated and live in squalor.  At least they are safe and can make money to send home to their families.  They do everything and contribute diversity to the culture.  They work in high end stores, building construction, and the huge service industry that is required by the growing tourism.   They have limited rights but living in the UAE is better than their own countries and they can send tax free money home to their families.   Even if they are born in the country that can never be citizens.  They have the same passports as their parents.  They stay at the pleasure of the Sheiks and have to renew their work visas every two years and be a good employee or they are deported never to return. 

Because of this, there is no crime, homelessness, welfare, or dissent.  Obviously, weapons are not allowed.  You even look like you may be a problem, you are gone.  The court systems are simple and immediate with no debate.  No Liberals or Conservatives there.  If you have tattoos, colored hair, or act suspicious you are gone, no questions asked.  Open homosexuality is definitely not permitted.  Their food is all non-GMO and since their religion feels that pigs are unclean, there is no lard for cooking.  Things may look the same but taste differently.  Alcohol is forbidden, even in foods.  Because they want to cater to the tourists, which is the second biggest industry behind oil, visiting individuals can purchase alcohol openly in hotels.  If you wander the streets while intoxicated and are caught, you are automatically deported.  Drugs are completely outlawed.  There appears to be no local newspapers or television because it is controlled by the government and nothing bad happens in the UAE.  The only local channel I saw was camel racing which is huge here.  The rest of the news and sports come from cable television from all over the world.  Tourism is second in terms of income after oil production, but the government sees it as the future after the oil is no longer needed.   

Being there, I never felt uncomfortable but welcome.  Everyone was positive and few complaints were uttered.  The traditional dress is worn by the naturals and wanabees.  There rest is Western/Asian.  It was weird visiting a society with no middle class governed by men wearing flowing white robes.  All women are definitely second citizens there.  I never saw anything that would be considered anti American and Trump’s name was never mentioned.  We visited some friends from Cache Valley that have lived there for 15 years and are Mormons.  Since the Branch had no property, the Sheik gave them land to build a meeting house on.  They welcome all religions other than Israelis who are not allowed in.  It was beyond interesting and I have a new respect for the people living in the UAE.  I can’t speak for the other Arab nations, but we thoroughly enjoyed our adventure in Dubai and Abu Dubai.