We are told that capitalism discovers wants that people did not realize they had and thus moves humanity forward. But it is truer to say that the market economy is sustained by the stimulation of greed and envy through advertising.
The above quote by Robert Skidelsky is an excerpt from one of his articles titled "The Moral Vulnerability of Markets". I read it in the latest edition of The World but unfortunately it is not available on their website. Thanks to google, I found the article online, you can read it here.
Why am I sharing it here? Because I fully agree with the author's point of view. In fact, this is what I have observed in the UAE during the last couple of years. Luxuries have becme basic needs & satisfying those needs the ultimate aim of our lives. I am not sure about other parts of the world, but I can for sure say that blindly following capitalism has definitely not helped "humanity move forward".
The above mentioned incident is not an isolated one. I am sure similar incidents are being repeated frequently across the Emirates as the country marches forward towards "development". But is it really development?
You still want to know why people have started calling the Emirates a place without soul? Is blindly following the laws of demand & supply worth killing the soul of the country? Is this what the country's founders had in mind when they decided to unite & form United Arab Emirates?
Why am I sharing it here? Because I fully agree with the author's point of view. In fact, this is what I have observed in the UAE during the last couple of years. Luxuries have becme basic needs & satisfying those needs the ultimate aim of our lives. I am not sure about other parts of the world, but I can for sure say that blindly following capitalism has definitely not helped "humanity move forward".
A widow, Zainab, who lived in one of the houses with her two teenage daughters, said she had kept some goats and sheep and earned her living selling their milk and meat.
"I have been living here for the past 30 years. I have no place to go. No money to rent another house. The power and water were switched off several days ago," she said.
She said they had received evacuation notices many times in the past, but had nowhere else to go. She said she approached the municipality several times asking for help but was ignored.
The above mentioned incident is not an isolated one. I am sure similar incidents are being repeated frequently across the Emirates as the country marches forward towards "development". But is it really development?
You still want to know why people have started calling the Emirates a place without soul? Is blindly following the laws of demand & supply worth killing the soul of the country? Is this what the country's founders had in mind when they decided to unite & form United Arab Emirates?
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18 comments:
Thoughtful insights DG. Am not sure what to think, actually. I do miss the old UAE, when things were more simpler, when poorer folks could still make a living and get by. But when I say this out loud, am often greeted with funny looks and strange comments. Many of those who've moved into the country, wants the monies basically. I really don't think they care for the place, its people or those who've help built it.
The story of the lady who've lived in that home for 30 yrs, touches your heart - she had very little, made a living with whatever little she had....why take it all away from her? For more highrises, a home for Brad Pitt, Beckhams or lousy Bollywood clowns? Why - MORE monies, more rich people? many of understand nothing of the real UAE and thinks Dubai is a 24/7 party town?
It saddens a lot, to read about tearing down the old Satwa and plans to build over Safa Park. The city is losing it's very soul and none of us can do anything.
In a way, despite all the flak SHJ gets, am sort of glad, I grew up in SHJ. At the least when I visit home and walk around the neighbourhoods I am lucky to connect with my past and childhood.
...sorry on the rant...
Rosh: Many of those who've moved into the country, wants the monies basically. I really don't think they care for the place, its people or those who've help built it.
Well, people moved into the country before too, attracted by the money. But then care for other humans preceded over anything else. Maybe the reason is education, people then were not "highly" educated, not brainwashed by the so called business schools.
Btw, the incident I shared here, it happened in Sharjah. Everyone around Dubai seems to have caught the Dubai flu :-)
God help us.
Nisa: Salam to you too :-)
Thanks for sharing that beautiful hadith. It is true indeed. We spend our whole lives & once we die, our heirs start disputing amongst themselves. In reality, we spend our own lives worrying about protecting our wealth & after the death the heirs worry about who gets the most or the best share.
Thanks for your kind words of prayer, wish the same for you, your family & people of your country :-)
Yes, you are correct, it did happen in SHJ too.
I remember dad's words past few Christmas's. When he moved into UAE in 69, there was nothing much around, however, people knew each other, helped one another - people were forthcoming - dinners/lunches at each other's homes.
Mom share similar sentiments as dad, especially of the 70's. I have vivid memories as an infant of the late 70's - especially of Christmas dinners, Eid get together's and a few weddings.
Cabby's would stop for a woman with a child. Garbage collectors were happier.
wow! major change, although the diagonal lines on the sides are getting my eyes a bit dazzly.
In response to your post, hmm..yes a place without a soul, the UAE. But every now and then fresh air blows against your face..instances of goodness here and there. Today i met the happiest family I have ever seen, a pakistani family compromising of more than 12 individuals, in like a 3 bedroom house. I havnt seen so much peace, so much genuine inner peace. Although their rents are going high and they have to leave their home, but things just seemed to be fine. I was in envy.
Hope we all find that inner peace.
yoohoo...kinda quiet here....
You've been quiet DG. All's well I hope.
and sadly this is happening everywhere..
This is the saddest part about modern Dubai. Just just the ecomonic divides. The place has lost its soul.
I visited UAE and particularly Dubai several times. It's the place that is across my way anyway. And it was what i told my husband, when for the first time i was there. My westerner husband was not totally amazed with my comment, trying to prove that it may be vice versa. He tried to show me, that what i felt its lack, does exist there. But he could not and had to accept my comment.
UAE is so beautiful. Actually dubai is one of the most beautiful cities. I say this, as an Iranian woman who can not find such a high beautiful towers in her country. In Tehran maybe you find some, but not all over the city.
However beautiful Arab countries are just a place to trade. They embrace you as long as you have money. As long as you're known as a rich person, and you earn a high salary.
And that's what i said to my husband too: Luxurious UAE does not have Soul..
i would love to visit and see for myself.. maybe this year
Growing up in a middle class Paskiatani family in the UAE, the people I've come in contact with in my life often face problems. While Dubai is a wonderful city, it used to be much better before. I know a family who were unable to send their little daughter to school b'coz they couldn't afford it.
Nowadays so many families can't afford the high rents, etc.
May Allah help us all!
Lirun: Do inform me whenever you come, maybe we can meet & have a cup of tea/coffee together my friend :-)
Umm Abdullah: You are absolutely right. It was not like this before, but then maybe this is the price ordinary people have to pay so that the rich can increase their bank balances. May Allah guide & help us all.
Uh, I meant Pakistani..not Paskiatani
No worries :-)
I think globalism deserves a mention here as well, in the sense that this country is going ahead at such an unhealthy speed, being pulled forward with the rest of the world, wanting to compete with the countries up top, at the expense of so many factors not being dealt with.
I am not anti-globalism, but i do beleive each country needs to go at a specific rate which caters to all the individuals there as well. ok maybe thats unpractical, you will always have those who are left behind, but in this case, there are ALOT that are left behind.
Emma: Yes, I agree with you. The quote of Shaikh Muhammad pretty much sums it up, "In the race of excellence, there is no finish line"
Well, when you want to treat life as a race, incidents like this are bound to happen, no matter how hard you try to prevent them. May Allah guide all of us to His right path.
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