Dark side of RAK
The northern-frontier emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is unhappy with the media's negative portrayal of it:
"Interviewed by Khaleej Times, a cross-section of the emirate's local people voiced their almost unanimous agreement that the local media turn a blind eye to the different ongoing huge economic and social development projects. As an example, they cite the stories that have been published recently by almost all the local newspapers of a baby that has sustained a rat bite, an indication of the deteriorating environment and unhygienic living conditions in the emirate."
Time for a flick back through the archives for RAK coverage here:
9th April 2003 - a mosque shoe thief in RAK
2nd Jan 2004 - a dispute over pork-flavoured crisps in RAK shops
24th May 2004 - an explosion of massage parlours in RAK
21st March 2005 - a dispute over a young RAK lady's virginity
12th May 2005 - RAK teens steal from their father's safe for a holiday
27th May 2005 - RAK ladies beat a up shopping mall perv
So, no. It doesn't appear that the greatness and glory of Ras Al Khaimah is receiving due attention. To remedy this, here is something superb about the rocky frontier:
It is planning to build a ski resort.
"Interviewed by Khaleej Times, a cross-section of the emirate's local people voiced their almost unanimous agreement that the local media turn a blind eye to the different ongoing huge economic and social development projects. As an example, they cite the stories that have been published recently by almost all the local newspapers of a baby that has sustained a rat bite, an indication of the deteriorating environment and unhygienic living conditions in the emirate."
Time for a flick back through the archives for RAK coverage here:
9th April 2003 - a mosque shoe thief in RAK
2nd Jan 2004 - a dispute over pork-flavoured crisps in RAK shops
24th May 2004 - an explosion of massage parlours in RAK
21st March 2005 - a dispute over a young RAK lady's virginity
12th May 2005 - RAK teens steal from their father's safe for a holiday
27th May 2005 - RAK ladies beat a up shopping mall perv
So, no. It doesn't appear that the greatness and glory of Ras Al Khaimah is receiving due attention. To remedy this, here is something superb about the rocky frontier:
It is planning to build a ski resort.
Labels: rak
18 Comments:
what about russians prostitution deals !
Well, I've never been to RAK -- so I have no idea what to expect there.. but if it's anything as poor as Ajman, I probably won't be making a visit there any time soon.
It is obviously doesn't have Dubai's glamor nor does it have Abu Dhabi's authority. Besides, really, instead of whining about the negative coverage, learn from Dubai, it's not such a far off place to learn from. Dubai has perfected the game or PR and advertising. Cause, really, complaining about it itself is bad coverage.
Ras Al Khaimah is a good place for camping with big rocky mountains and valleys and ... that's about it. The city center is almost as good as not being there and the beach is ok. Very dull and boring.
Al Ain sounds like a great place to live compared to RAK!!
maybe Secy works for the Media in RAK!!! Hmmmm....
That was bizarre. I honestly don't understand it, except if it's some weird thing where all the teachers are local women and don't like talking to local men.
Actually, I thought the thing about the shopping mall perv reflected rather well on them.
I lived in RAK twenty years ago..would be interested to return now and see if things have changed...
The small emirates must always live in the shadow of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Sharjah lives off the scraps from the table of Dubai.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/international/middleeast/11media.html?ex=1127102400&en=436cd7fd68196bcb&ei=5099&partner=TOPIXNEWS
I've seen a documentary on Discovery Channel about UAE and a good part of it was taking place in various wadis and mountains around RAK. I was astonished to see the beauty of nature that in some parts looked like Switzerland in full bloom with vast green meadows covered by yellow daisies and butterflies, rich flora and fauna and plenty of crystal clear water springs and miniature lakes...it was incredible!
There is a misplaced importance on tall building (most of them without adequate parking facilities) and tarmac roads (that lead you no where for quite sometime). Dubai with it's soaring rents, lack of affordable parking facilities, undisciplined drivers and expatriates mostsly from third world countries who behave in a sub-human manner half of the time is nothing to be celebrated. RAK with it's natural wonders and rugged landscapes should be celebrated and appreciated. It's up to the RAK authories to build an identity the strategic location and the natural wonder that surrounds them. When I think of RAK, I think of BANFF National Park in Canada, or the Yosemite national park in the USA. RAK you deserve better than whatever is portrayed. I wish you rise above the pens of some bored journalists who probably hold fake degrees from third world countries they crawled out of to judge you.
Most emirates other than Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not that modern. No surprises given they have not made any mission statement for themselves. Abu Dhabi has oil and Dubai aimed for, and has achieved, becoming a regional trade and re-export hub. The people of Dubai are pro-active, rather than sitting around majlises all day. This is why they are growing so phenomenally. It also helps that they realised that modernisation is not limited to fancy buildings and freshly paved roads, but also to streamlining their socio-economic infrastructure. The poorer emirates have made no such initiative for change. Crying about press coverage is not going to help.
P.S. To anonymous who spoke of "expatriates mostsly from third world countries who behave in a sub-human manner half of the time", the uae as whole has a long way to go before it can be called first-world. Attitudes like this prevent it happening.
It is important that the other emirates pull up their socks and start attracting economic activities.
There is no point cribbing about "negative" coverage by the media. The onus is on the RAK authorities to pursue initiatives which will attract the media to make positive coverage.
Also, there was a comment by an anonymous user, "expatriates mostsly from third world countries who behave in a sub-human manner". Well...all I have to say is that it sounded a bit offensive. But I guess people are entitled to have their own opinion.
Years ago, when we had nothing else to do in Dubai besides Al Nasr Leisureland and Lucifers Disco, we used to drive up to RAK for a bit of rain or to see some grass fields for a change.
Man, those were the days.
I would do it all again except it takes me the same amount of time to get out of Dubai's traffic as it used to in years gone by to get to RAK itself.
Take me back......I hate the 'new' UAE.....
Some of the major UAE companies are based in RAK. Jalfar, RAK CERAMICS and RAK Cement are only to mention a few.
RAKBank is imposing a considerable threat to other major consumer banks in the UAE.
I know garment/ready-to-wear factories that are commissioned to manufacture for Sears and Walmart in the US. They are based in RAK.
The owners of major malls in Abu Dhabi and Sharja (Sahara Mall) are originally from RAK.
The only problem with RAK is its lack of a proper communications strategy... Unless its bad news, masses don't really know enough about what happens in that tiny emirate .. RAKs should do something about that image problem..
SD, ...
Can't beleive that you didnt comment about that "third world country" talk. It's dripping with racism !!!
To accuse Journlists to hold "fake degrees" which they got from "third world countries" they "crawled" out of.... Expatriates mostsly from "third world countries" who behave in a "sub-human manner" half of the time
Methinks anonymous is just a frustrated under acheiver (racist too). No one else would make comments like so.
I was kind of bemused by it, and also I am getting sick of the endless racist slanging.
That said I also hate censoring, so unless someone really steps out of line and uses the equivalent of the N-word or defames Islam, I don't like to cut stuff.
I also think the bitchy stuff in newspapers here is as equally likely (if not more likely) to be done by western/non-"third-world" hacks.
So the person is frustrated and misinformed, most probably.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/NationNF.asp?ArticleID=181417
We do great protein drinks here in RAK
I think rak is a brillliant retreat with all very nice people. In my opnion i dont think it should change,... I will be going back there.
Post a Comment
<< Home