Where does the name Dubai come from?
There are several theories as to how Dubai was named. One theory is that the word Dubai is a combination of the Farsi words for two and brothers, the latter referring to Deira and Bur Dubai. Others believe that ‘Dubai’ was so named by people who considered its souq a smaller version of a thriving market named ‘Daba’.Another possibility is that the name came from a word meaning money - people from Dubai were commonly believed to have money because it was a prosperous trading centre. It is worth mentioning that there is another town named Dubai in the Al Dahna' region of Saudi Arabia, between Riyadh and Ad Dammam.
1833-1958
In the 18th century, Dubai was a small fishing and trading village inhabited by members of the Bani Yas.The Al Maktoum family settled in Dubai in 1833 when members of the Al Bu Falasah seceded from Abu Dhabi.
Although he was young, Sheikh Maktoum bin Buti ruled Dubai effectively and it grew into a flourishing coastal town. As the population grew, Dubai branched into three distinct areas: Deira was the largest and the main commercial centre. On the western bank, Bur Dubai and Shindagha were separated by a wide stretch of sand called Ghubaiba, which would flood during high tide. Shindagha, situated on a narrow strip of land separating the sea from the creek, was the smallest area and the main residential district. The ruling sheikhs traditionally lived here and the late Sheikh Saeed's house is still standing. Shindagha was probably the site of the original Bani Yas village.
Donkeys and camels provided transportation on land. Crossing the creek meant a long and arduous journey around the end of the creek or a ride in an abra, a small wooden boat that ferries passengers to this day. Abras were also used to transport people to ships.
Deira's souq, the town's public market, was lined with narrow, covered passageways. With 350 shops of commodities from around the world, it was the largest market in the region. ‘Many of the craftsmen in the suq had no shop, but worked on a vacant piece of ground as close as possible to their clients. They were known by name, and the cry would go round the suq, "Where is Hassan the mattress-maker?" until it reached him and he was able to make contact with the potential client. A mattress-maker's creation was vulnerable to visits from passers-by, who might stop to pray on it or simply to rest and chat.Prior to the introduction of electricity in 1952, kerosene lamps or candles were used for lighting and charcoal, imported from the interior of Oman, was used for cooking and making coffee. Sweet water came from wells around Dubai.The majority of the inhabitants lived in barastis, huts constructed from palm fronds. Extended families dwelled in compounds amid the compounds of relatives. Houses were constructed of gypsum from the salt marshes at the end of the creek and coral stone.The town's highest points were the wind towers of the coral stone houses, the watchtowers and Al Fahidi Fort. Wind towers were used for ventilation - a house would cool as water on the floor beneath the tower evaporated. Built in 1799, the Fort is Dubai's oldest surviving structure and it has served as the seat of government, the ruler's residence and as a jail.
Extracted from HERE
Showing posts with label Dubai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dubai. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Ila Liqa’ Dubai الى اللقأ دبي
We will bid farewell to Dubai in two week’s time... Looking back to the two years that we have spent here, they are not without any events or things that we will remember for the rest of our life....
I arrived in Dubai on the 1st of May, 2008... Knowing no one except for the colleague who had arrived 2 weeks earlier... The family didn’t arrive until the middle of June that year.
The first contact with the Malaysian community was when we gathered at a Lebanese restaurant for a dinner... We “wined and dined” until the wee hours...
One weekend I joined some friends who were going to the Blue Souq in Sharjah and Dubai Outlet Mall... I was beginning to like it here... despite the searing summer heat...
Then I was occupied with work... travelling to Iran for 2 weeks... until the beginning of June 2008.
When 3 leaders from PR came, I took that opportunity to meet other Malaysians... I found out later that Malaysians here welcome visitors... especially those who are going to stay here long, like myself.
My life was made complete again when the family joined me on the 13th of June, 2008. There we were... together in Dubai at last.
A few weeks after they arrived we attended the Agong’s birthday celebrations in Matrade and we met more Malaysians that day.
Before that, we had to enrol our two elder daughters into a school. I had done a lot of communicating with a number of international schools even before I arrived in Dubai. At last, one school, Raffles International School in Umm Suqeim, accepted them. They aced the assessment tests (English and Maths). They started their first day in school in early September 2008. And thanks to the host company that the school and the bus fees would be paid by them.
We celebrated our first Ramadhan and Eid holidays away from home that year... new experience for the family.
Perhaps, the most obvious thing about us that time was that we didn’t have our own mode of transportation. We didn’t have a car and I didn’t have a driving license. When we wanted to travel anywhere, it would be either by walking or the taxi. I knew it was quite hard for the family but at least they learned how hard it was to be in a foreign land and how to survive. Surprisingly I heard little complaints from them... especially Apit, my youngest child.
Nevertheless, we were lucky that we have friends who offered us a ride whenever there was a gathering or during the Eid celebrations... We were so grateful that we made a promise to ourselves, if ever we had the opportunity, and means, to buy a car here, it would be a big car.... So that we can offer other people a ride.
I had started my driving lessons towards the end of October 2008 and, after failing the first driving test, I got my Dubai driving license on the second test (valid for 10 years) on the 5th January, 2009.
The first major event that we joined was the Island Escapade, in early March 2009... Organized by MyUAE-Pro, in a small island off the coast of the Emirate Umm Al Quwain. About 300 Malaysians from all over UAE gathered there for a day of funs, games and get-together. Mabrook to MyUAE-Pro and the organizing committee for the wonderful and meaningful event.
We managed to buy a big made-in-Korea minivan later in the middle of March 2009 and all praise be to Allah, our prayers were answered.... and true to our words, to the best of our knowledge, we never denied any one who wish to hitch a ride with us. For a family of 5 like us, a car is a necessity... and the company didn’t provided us with it... one of the down-side of things for us in Dubai. With a car for ourselves, we were free to go anywhere... we wouldn’t have to trouble any one because we wouldn’t have to depend on our friends to take us where we wanted to go. And we didn’t have to depend too much on the taxis and other public transports.
When MyUAE-Pro had its first AGM and officially called MY-UAE, I was elected as one of the ExCo members. As I mentioned personally to the elected President, I was honoured to be elected to serve my fellow Malaysians... and I meant it.
Meanwhile, our two daughters had been settling well in school. They have made a lot of friends, really good friends. One of the wonderful things about Dubai and the international school is that they really open the minds of our kids. They befriended almost everybody regardless of religions, race, skin-colour, mother tongue, etc.
I was really grateful they settled in well because we had always thought that they would have a difficult time adapting to the new environment. They had proven their mother and me wrong. Their friends are consist of students who come from a well-to-do families... whose fathers didn’t have to rely on BizTrip allowances to make ends meet, they were still accepted as one of them. Frankly speaking, I am quite sad that they have to live Dubai and their friends.
July 2009 came, and I took the whole month off and took the family back to Malaysia for a holiday.... but 1 month was not enough... we only managed to go to visit a few relatives and a weekend trip to Singapore.
We came back to Dubai just a few weeks before Ramadhan... our 2nd Ramadhan in Dubai.
We joined the Ramadhan Bazaar.... we shared a table with a couple from Kelantan who were one of our good friends in Dubai. My wife made karipap, koci and etc.... it was our first experience as entrepreneurs and I think we did well.... and we got to make new friends too. The kids also helped in their own ways despite having to fast... well, except for Apit.
Ramadhan passed and Eid Al-Fitr came.... this time around, we didn’t have to worry about not having to join in on the celebrations. We had our own car. It was one of the busiest Eids for us.... we travelled around from morning until midnight, attending open houses... and as for every Eid, we held our own open house at our small 2-room apartment. The menu was, as usual, my Soto Ayam and Spaghetti... and a number other delicacies. Shukran jazilan to all our friends who had attended our open house...
The new school year started in early September 2009. Apit started his KG education this year. Once again, we were worried that he would not settle in, but once again we were proven wrong. He settled in well and seemed happy to start learning and making new friends. He didn’t have that “Day One” syndrome that most kids his age had.
With all the kids at school, my wife was left at home from morning until the early afternoon. She passed the time honing her baking skills (I bought her a Kenwood bread maker as a motivation) and chatting with friends and family back in Malaysia on the internet (YM, FB and etc.). I started a new assignment at home in the morning when not on BizTrips.... waking Apit up, bathing and dressing him... It’s more like a father-and-son thing... the Hilmy clan version of male bonding.
In late November 2009 until the middle of December 2009, we had some important guests... My mother, father and my two nieces came for a 2-week visit to Dubai. I picked them up at Terminal 1 and brought them to our apartment. It was a kind of small re-union for the Mat Zean clan. They couldn’t come at a better time because in early December, we had a long weekend due to the UAE National Day celebrations.
We brought them to places around Dubai, Abu Dhabi and we also joined the trip to Musandam, Oman... My sister said it was a motivational trip for my mother who had just recovered from a diabetic-induced complication.
When we were growing up, our parents used to take us to places such as Kelantan and Penang during the school holidays... and the roles were reversed when they came to Dubai. It was my turn to take them for sight-seeing and savouring the delicacies that Dubai had to offer. My parents particularly liked the Lebanese food as it lacked oil and served with complimentary pita breads and vegetables. Traditional Arab food is actually good for people who are health-conscious as it is cooked with less oil and salt... My parents even brought home some pita breads with them when they left Dubai.
In mid-January 2010, it was my sister’s, the Running-Mom, turn to come. She was running the Standard Chartered 2010 Dubai International Marathon (read HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE).
One of the highlights of our 2 years in Dubai would be our family trip to Istanbul, Turkey, during the New Year Holiday (2010). There’s another entry for that HERE.
New Gregorian year 2010... the news came that the company might not be extending my contract... so, the preparation to leave Dubai started... Frankly speaking, we had mixed feelings about leaving Dubai. We have made a lot of good friends here... The kids have settled down in school... they have also made a lot of good friends, including Apit. It’s really sad to leave, but we know that life has to go on... who knows, there could be better things for us in Malaysia...
One of our friends asked me, what would be the most memorable moments for me (and us) in Dubai... after 2 years. Trust me, I don’t have the answer for that... every moment in Dubai is a memorable one.... We will never forget each and every one of it. But the most important thing is the friends that we met and made here will always be in our hearts... I hope the friendship will continue for as long as we all shall live.
We will always cherish the memories in Dubai... who knows, we will come back in the future... who knows? ;-)
I arrived in Dubai on the 1st of May, 2008... Knowing no one except for the colleague who had arrived 2 weeks earlier... The family didn’t arrive until the middle of June that year.
The first contact with the Malaysian community was when we gathered at a Lebanese restaurant for a dinner... We “wined and dined” until the wee hours...
One weekend I joined some friends who were going to the Blue Souq in Sharjah and Dubai Outlet Mall... I was beginning to like it here... despite the searing summer heat...
Then I was occupied with work... travelling to Iran for 2 weeks... until the beginning of June 2008.
When 3 leaders from PR came, I took that opportunity to meet other Malaysians... I found out later that Malaysians here welcome visitors... especially those who are going to stay here long, like myself.
My life was made complete again when the family joined me on the 13th of June, 2008. There we were... together in Dubai at last.
A few weeks after they arrived we attended the Agong’s birthday celebrations in Matrade and we met more Malaysians that day.
Before that, we had to enrol our two elder daughters into a school. I had done a lot of communicating with a number of international schools even before I arrived in Dubai. At last, one school, Raffles International School in Umm Suqeim, accepted them. They aced the assessment tests (English and Maths). They started their first day in school in early September 2008. And thanks to the host company that the school and the bus fees would be paid by them.
We celebrated our first Ramadhan and Eid holidays away from home that year... new experience for the family.
Perhaps, the most obvious thing about us that time was that we didn’t have our own mode of transportation. We didn’t have a car and I didn’t have a driving license. When we wanted to travel anywhere, it would be either by walking or the taxi. I knew it was quite hard for the family but at least they learned how hard it was to be in a foreign land and how to survive. Surprisingly I heard little complaints from them... especially Apit, my youngest child.
Nevertheless, we were lucky that we have friends who offered us a ride whenever there was a gathering or during the Eid celebrations... We were so grateful that we made a promise to ourselves, if ever we had the opportunity, and means, to buy a car here, it would be a big car.... So that we can offer other people a ride.
I had started my driving lessons towards the end of October 2008 and, after failing the first driving test, I got my Dubai driving license on the second test (valid for 10 years) on the 5th January, 2009.
The first major event that we joined was the Island Escapade, in early March 2009... Organized by MyUAE-Pro, in a small island off the coast of the Emirate Umm Al Quwain. About 300 Malaysians from all over UAE gathered there for a day of funs, games and get-together. Mabrook to MyUAE-Pro and the organizing committee for the wonderful and meaningful event.
We managed to buy a big made-in-Korea minivan later in the middle of March 2009 and all praise be to Allah, our prayers were answered.... and true to our words, to the best of our knowledge, we never denied any one who wish to hitch a ride with us. For a family of 5 like us, a car is a necessity... and the company didn’t provided us with it... one of the down-side of things for us in Dubai. With a car for ourselves, we were free to go anywhere... we wouldn’t have to trouble any one because we wouldn’t have to depend on our friends to take us where we wanted to go. And we didn’t have to depend too much on the taxis and other public transports.
When MyUAE-Pro had its first AGM and officially called MY-UAE, I was elected as one of the ExCo members. As I mentioned personally to the elected President, I was honoured to be elected to serve my fellow Malaysians... and I meant it.
Meanwhile, our two daughters had been settling well in school. They have made a lot of friends, really good friends. One of the wonderful things about Dubai and the international school is that they really open the minds of our kids. They befriended almost everybody regardless of religions, race, skin-colour, mother tongue, etc.
I was really grateful they settled in well because we had always thought that they would have a difficult time adapting to the new environment. They had proven their mother and me wrong. Their friends are consist of students who come from a well-to-do families... whose fathers didn’t have to rely on BizTrip allowances to make ends meet, they were still accepted as one of them. Frankly speaking, I am quite sad that they have to live Dubai and their friends.
July 2009 came, and I took the whole month off and took the family back to Malaysia for a holiday.... but 1 month was not enough... we only managed to go to visit a few relatives and a weekend trip to Singapore.
We came back to Dubai just a few weeks before Ramadhan... our 2nd Ramadhan in Dubai.
We joined the Ramadhan Bazaar.... we shared a table with a couple from Kelantan who were one of our good friends in Dubai. My wife made karipap, koci and etc.... it was our first experience as entrepreneurs and I think we did well.... and we got to make new friends too. The kids also helped in their own ways despite having to fast... well, except for Apit.
Ramadhan passed and Eid Al-Fitr came.... this time around, we didn’t have to worry about not having to join in on the celebrations. We had our own car. It was one of the busiest Eids for us.... we travelled around from morning until midnight, attending open houses... and as for every Eid, we held our own open house at our small 2-room apartment. The menu was, as usual, my Soto Ayam and Spaghetti... and a number other delicacies. Shukran jazilan to all our friends who had attended our open house...
The new school year started in early September 2009. Apit started his KG education this year. Once again, we were worried that he would not settle in, but once again we were proven wrong. He settled in well and seemed happy to start learning and making new friends. He didn’t have that “Day One” syndrome that most kids his age had.
With all the kids at school, my wife was left at home from morning until the early afternoon. She passed the time honing her baking skills (I bought her a Kenwood bread maker as a motivation) and chatting with friends and family back in Malaysia on the internet (YM, FB and etc.). I started a new assignment at home in the morning when not on BizTrips.... waking Apit up, bathing and dressing him... It’s more like a father-and-son thing... the Hilmy clan version of male bonding.
In late November 2009 until the middle of December 2009, we had some important guests... My mother, father and my two nieces came for a 2-week visit to Dubai. I picked them up at Terminal 1 and brought them to our apartment. It was a kind of small re-union for the Mat Zean clan. They couldn’t come at a better time because in early December, we had a long weekend due to the UAE National Day celebrations.
We brought them to places around Dubai, Abu Dhabi and we also joined the trip to Musandam, Oman... My sister said it was a motivational trip for my mother who had just recovered from a diabetic-induced complication.
When we were growing up, our parents used to take us to places such as Kelantan and Penang during the school holidays... and the roles were reversed when they came to Dubai. It was my turn to take them for sight-seeing and savouring the delicacies that Dubai had to offer. My parents particularly liked the Lebanese food as it lacked oil and served with complimentary pita breads and vegetables. Traditional Arab food is actually good for people who are health-conscious as it is cooked with less oil and salt... My parents even brought home some pita breads with them when they left Dubai.
In mid-January 2010, it was my sister’s, the Running-Mom, turn to come. She was running the Standard Chartered 2010 Dubai International Marathon (read HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE).
One of the highlights of our 2 years in Dubai would be our family trip to Istanbul, Turkey, during the New Year Holiday (2010). There’s another entry for that HERE.
New Gregorian year 2010... the news came that the company might not be extending my contract... so, the preparation to leave Dubai started... Frankly speaking, we had mixed feelings about leaving Dubai. We have made a lot of good friends here... The kids have settled down in school... they have also made a lot of good friends, including Apit. It’s really sad to leave, but we know that life has to go on... who knows, there could be better things for us in Malaysia...
One of our friends asked me, what would be the most memorable moments for me (and us) in Dubai... after 2 years. Trust me, I don’t have the answer for that... every moment in Dubai is a memorable one.... We will never forget each and every one of it. But the most important thing is the friends that we met and made here will always be in our hearts... I hope the friendship will continue for as long as we all shall live.
We will always cherish the memories in Dubai... who knows, we will come back in the future... who knows? ;-)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Of the Letter and Countdown
I was expecting it actually... since the day that my boss told me that my contract won't be extended... and since the day that I told them I want to come home. There's a related entry in Bahasa Malaysia HERE.
So, on Sunday afternoon, I received it... by hand from the HR Director himself.
Last day of employment (or the last day on "Host Company" payroll): 17th May, 2010
Repatriation leave: 7th May ~ 16th May, 2010
First day of employment in "Home Country": 18th May, 2010
If everything goes a planned, InsyaAllah, we'll be back in our beloved Malaysia on the 8th May, 2010 at about 935pm.
So, that's it... my "Tour of Duty" days in Dubai are numbered.... and I'm actually counting them down now.
Still, there some items need to be settled... the car, the visas, the bank, personal effects shipment and etc.
Hope everything will be okay... and we'll go back home to Malaysia with a happy feeling that we have spent 2 wonderful and eventful years in this land....
So, on Sunday afternoon, I received it... by hand from the HR Director himself.
Last day of employment (or the last day on "Host Company" payroll): 17th May, 2010
Repatriation leave: 7th May ~ 16th May, 2010
First day of employment in "Home Country": 18th May, 2010
If everything goes a planned, InsyaAllah, we'll be back in our beloved Malaysia on the 8th May, 2010 at about 935pm.
So, that's it... my "Tour of Duty" days in Dubai are numbered.... and I'm actually counting them down now.
Still, there some items need to be settled... the car, the visas, the bank, personal effects shipment and etc.
Hope everything will be okay... and we'll go back home to Malaysia with a happy feeling that we have spent 2 wonderful and eventful years in this land....
Friday, March 19, 2010
Dubai International Peace Convention (DIPC) (17th - 19th March, 2010)
With the motto of "Aiming Global Unity Through Peace", the DIPC is held under the patronage of H.H. Syeikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.
The world renowned Islamic scholars and orators will be holding talks, along with handling Q&A sessions. Notable personalities such as Syeikh Yusuf Estes, Syeikh Dr Hussein Yee, Sheikh Mishary Rashid Al Afasy, Adv. Mayan Kutty Mather and etc. will be talking about various subjects.
For more information, visit http://www.peaceconvention.com/Home.aspx
The world renowned Islamic scholars and orators will be holding talks, along with handling Q&A sessions. Notable personalities such as Syeikh Yusuf Estes, Syeikh Dr Hussein Yee, Sheikh Mishary Rashid Al Afasy, Adv. Mayan Kutty Mather and etc. will be talking about various subjects.
For more information, visit http://www.peaceconvention.com/Home.aspx
** An update (21/03/10):
My wife and I went on the 2nd and he last day of the conference... and for the first time in our lives, we were the witnesses to the Shahaadah proclaimed by our new new brothers and sisters. Alhamdulillah, they were shown the lights by Allah to return back to the righteous path of Islam. To tell the truth, I just couldn't hold back my tears... All that I could do was just to praise the Almighty Allah... Allahu Akbar!!!!
We went home a little late last night... because Dr Zakir Naik was giving his talk... he wasn't scheduled to give any talks, but, I guess, due to respect to a man of his stature, he was given a cameo appearance.... But it seemed like his appearance was what people had been waiting for.... Read more about Dr Zakir Naik HERE
** Another update (22/03/10):
We left a bit too early that night when the Q&A session with Dr Zakir Naik was just starting. A friend who stayed back related that a total of 25 brothers and sisters made their Shahaadah that night and revert to Islam... Masya Allah....
Monday, January 04, 2010
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Dubai Metro launches tonight (09/09/09)
The number 9 is always a favourite number of mine. Being a resident in this small desert city called Dubai, I am proud that another milestone has been achieved.... Dubai Metro.
It will be another "must-experience" thing in Dubai.....
At 7:45pm tonight, Syeikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will officiate the opening of this new pride of the people of Dubai.....
----------------------------
Hugh Naylor
Last Updated: September 09. 2009 3:08PM UAE / September 9. 2009 11:08AM GMT
Trains undergo last-minute testing outside the Nakheel Metro station in the run-up to today's launch. Randi Sokoloff / The National
After suffering through four years of disruption and dislocation caused by rail construction, Dubai’s residents today finally get to welcome the Metro, which many hope will make the city far more user-friendly.Launch formalities begin at 7.45 tonight, when VIPs gather in the Galleria of the Mall of the Emirates before boarding the first train and the Metro’s Red Line is declared open by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
More news HERE
----------------------------
It will be another "must-experience" thing in Dubai.....
At 7:45pm tonight, Syeikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will officiate the opening of this new pride of the people of Dubai.....
----------------------------
Hugh Naylor
Last Updated: September 09. 2009 3:08PM UAE / September 9. 2009 11:08AM GMT
Trains undergo last-minute testing outside the Nakheel Metro station in the run-up to today's launch. Randi Sokoloff / The National After suffering through four years of disruption and dislocation caused by rail construction, Dubai’s residents today finally get to welcome the Metro, which many hope will make the city far more user-friendly.Launch formalities begin at 7.45 tonight, when VIPs gather in the Galleria of the Mall of the Emirates before boarding the first train and the Metro’s Red Line is declared open by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
More news HERE
----------------------------
From The Gulf News Aug 30, 2009:
"His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will officially launch the Metro on September 9. The stations to be opened include: Al Rashidiya, Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, Deira City Centre, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khalid Bin Al Waleed (BurJuman), Al Jafiliya, Financial Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Harbour and Tower. "Launching of the Dubai Metro on September 9 is a true manifestation of the vision of Shaikh Mohammad to uplift the infrastructure of the emirate of Dubai," Al Tayer said. He said the RTA vision, which is based on Dubai's Strategic Plan 2015 is now being realised"........
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