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16 July, 2005

Shivering in Sydney

Even in the far-flung, icy climes of the southern hemisphere the newspapers are full of Dubai. Specifically amusement at the UAE press's renaming of NSW premier Bob Carr as "Al Sharif Bobcar".

"General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday received at the Al Bateen Palace, Al Sharif Bobcar," the report said.

Accompanying the article is a photograph of Carr, also described as Governor of NSW, being swallowed up by one of the giant palace sofas and tie listening attentively to Shaikh Mohammad, who looks resplendent in his white robes and headdress.


Even among the intelligent echelons of Antipodean society, there is a great deal of ignorance about the Middle East and its people.

"The women over there - are any of them educated?" inquires an elderly supreme court judge.

He is surprised to learn that not only are UAE and other Gulf women being educated, but that they actually outnumber their male compatriots at universities and colleges. And that overall, women in the UAE have higher literacy than males.

People are most fascinated by Nakheel's The World. And rather disappointed to learn that it's too late to buy a slice of their home country in a considerably warmer and more central location.

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4 Comments:

Blogger portuguesa nova said...

This is probably obvious, but I think you would laugh until you cried upon hearing most Americans image of life in the "Middle East" (which is probably seen by most as one big country).

Sadly, I don't think any of this wll change until the evil idiot that is our President gets out of office.

16 July, 2005 15:15  
Blogger John B. Chilton said...

The story and photo Secret Dubai refers to can be found here.

17 July, 2005 00:41  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hair today, divorced tomorrow

After signing the marriage contract the couple met face to face and the wife was shocked to discover her new husband was bald. She immediately refused to live with him and decided to file for divorce.

Hieght of Education in GCC

27 July, 2005 12:07  
Blogger Emirati said...

The Husband had been wearing a cap or head garment, hiding his hair as a result.

30 July, 2005 11:02  

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