A pillar of the federation
An interesting and positive obituary on Dubai's late ruler, Sheikh Maktoum, can be found here:
"It was in 1990 that Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who has died probably of a heart attack aged 62, took over as ruler of Dubai, an accession that followed the death of that wily old fox, his father Sheikh Rashid al-Maktoum. Maktoum was the one to build on his father's heritage, with one substantive difference - Maktoum was only interested in business, whereas his father had been as interested in the political machinations of the United Arab Emirates as in the economic transformation of Dubai."
"It was in 1990 that Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who has died probably of a heart attack aged 62, took over as ruler of Dubai, an accession that followed the death of that wily old fox, his father Sheikh Rashid al-Maktoum. Maktoum was the one to build on his father's heritage, with one substantive difference - Maktoum was only interested in business, whereas his father had been as interested in the political machinations of the United Arab Emirates as in the economic transformation of Dubai."
Labels: maktoum
19 Comments:
Wily old fox? Perhaps he was one, but I believe this is NOT the language to use in an obituary, even if it refers to Shaikh Maktoums father in this case! Geez, and to think (most likely) this was written by a pure bred Englishman..whatever happened to good old use of English?
Interesting. I've always thought that the general apolitical stance the UAE has in foreign affairs coupled by the economic freedom is the secret ingredient to the UAE's success. Get out of other people's business and let your people get on with theirs -- seems simple, but most countries can't get it right.
So yes, he certainly was a pillar of the federation -- though the obituary is a bit weird. Can't say it's poor English, but its whole structure isn't that well thought-out.
Yrs I beleive I read the full Obituaty in teh guardiam yesterday. I generally find that a lot of emiratis actually read aan write english better than the english do.
This is for the information of anyone who wants to convey their condolences on the death of Shaikh Maktoum.
Today is the last day the Zabeel Palace is open to public for this purpose.The timing is 9am to 12 noon and 4pm to 5.45pm.You have to park your car at the car park near the Palace roundabout and take the free shuttle bus service to the palace.
Condolences will be personally received by Shakih Mohammed,Shakh Hamdan, Shaikh Ahmad and other immediate family members.
They have made very good arrangements.No hassles.I went there yesterday morning and it took me only one hour.
seccy - why you pick such a lame piece of text, even if it is positive? i think you can be more positive for the new year. your dynamism is lacking.
wily old fox - shk rashid? this does leave bad taste in the mouth. he was the father of dubai and UAE too. there's nothing wrong in having differences in ideology - whether it's between a son and a father. so what if maktoum was more interested in business, that was his choice. yet he didnt compromise as a ruler ever.
Guardian people need to be packed into a rocket and blasted to pluto and mid-way their rocket shud explode into pieces.
that's pretty much how i'd write an obituary for the wily old fox, the Guardian obituary editor.
Why are you lot not all local?
By the offence you detect in this post you sound like you should be; but no worries, that is what you are paid for: Brown nose and do the dirty work, and that will never change.
Until then, live it see it and do it, but the article by the Guardian is spot on, mourning or no mourning why should there be any clout or excuse to debate certain issues, is that not what the internet give you that dubai has taken away.
Moan about it now but refute it later, get a life boys and girls, Duabi is not the belly button of the earth and neither of you are a minute closer to the maktoums as you pretend so stop this non sense.
Any idea where the 14 year old girls are gone?
they are not in Australia that's for sure!
re: "wily old fox"
Nuance doesn't often translate very well to non-native speakers, but this phrase indicates considerable, albeit grudging, respect. Bear in mind when Sheikh Rashid ruled here, the British were still running the "Trucial states". He proved far more capable than they would perhaps have liked to admit, and certainly outfoxed them - and other regional leaders - on many occasions.
Sheikh Rashid was an immensely smart, cunning and clever operator. A huge amount of Dubai's success is due to his both wise and pragmatic leadership.
and thus UAE at large
Well - I think that would have to be Sheikh Zayed's legacy.
But the two men had very different jobs on their hands: one had to manage the influx of oil wealth in a constructive, equitable manner; the other had to create non-oil business by boosting trade and finance.
Both, I think we can all agree, succeeded spectacularly,
Who will be the Crown Prince of Dubai?
I wouldn't agree on that at all. The economy of the UAE, influenced by Abu Dhabi, its choices and wealth, have created a non-sustainable economy and very unbalanced wealth distribution, resulting in social strain, poor breeding of young locals (who would like to hire one??And, please, don't tell me there are smart ones also, since I know that), and a place which looks like a patch of nationalities with almost no connections, but with a lot of inter-ethnical strains. WHAT is success, exactly? That we all have a/c? I understand it's hard to define, let along measure, success, but I can't see the UAE doing brilliantly in the NEAR future, going on like this. Just an example: how about proper connectivity between main centers??? Sharjah and Dubai, as a start? Or Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
And Sh. Rashid was there because the Brits told him very clearly to oust his cousin, Hamed bin Jumma, who should have been in charge, but who was less prone to favor the British (and American) interests in the region. This according to the locals who know and are keen to speak about such things. Like the Guardian said: "who raise to power after a bloody family feud", or something similar.
Allah bless, Allah bless.........
Where the hell are you guys from, eaten away by this ill placed grief as if it was your father, who probably would not get more recognition if he was to die.
You little dimwits havent' see anything beeter in your llives if you thinkn that dubai is so great, or like the majority of folks living here, you escaped your origins.
you sound like orphans with no origins and the only thing linking you in this place are the sheikhs.....What do you know of one another? Zilch!
Where the hell are you guys from, eaten away by this ill placed grief
As an expat who didn't know that much about our late ruler, I can't claim to be "eaten away" by grief - but it does make me extremely sad that Maktoum died so young, and on foreign soil. I also feel very sad for local people here (and some expats) who actually knew him, and really loved and respected him.
I don't know about others, but I am like an orphan. I have a country, which provides me with a passport allowing me to go from one place to the next. However, I never lived in my own country and so feel a certain kind of love for the country I choose to reside in. I made the UAE my home and I don't take this lightly. I also have awe and respect for the leaders of this nation. This is the country that said, come on in, build a future for yourself -- try it.
So please, Mr. Anon 07 January, 2006 22:45
If you are an expat like the majority of us here, you are probably one of those types that bite the hand that feeds. If you are a UAE national, I would really be surprised.
to those who don't understand the nuances of the english language, I suggest you please learn what 'wily old fox' means before jumping to conclusions and criticising. As an editor from one of the dailies told someone recently . " if you don't like it, don't read it" .. simple really
I am but a bastard
And this city is my father
Who provides for me but is ashamed to recognize me.
I am an unwanted child
And this city is my mother
That gave birth to me
But hesitates to embrace me.
I am the step child
That has yearned for the love
My native brethren have grown strong on.
How I wish they would accept me.
Anon @ 08 January, 2006 15:20
Couldn't of have said it better.
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