Contrary to the outside worlds belief, every individual living in Dubai do not drive Range Rovers or Ferrari’s or Lamborghini’s. There are middle-class and lower middle class people living in Dubai who drive economic cars, and some who cannot even afford to maintain cars at all. Hence, they have turn to car-pooling. Let me explain what car-pooling is to people who might not know about it. For instance, I own a car, and if I work in Media City but live in Bur Dubai, the cost of going alone or with 4 people is going to amount to the same in terms of resources that is petrol. In addition, the work timings of all offices in specific areas are the same so as not creating any problems. Therefore, it is better if I take a certain amount of fees, for example AED 300 from 4 people each, and they could go along with me. In this way, I earn AED 1200, which can help me to maintain my car, as well as support my fuel costs. However, it is considered illegal in the U.A.E, the place I know of. A lot of people were caught doing car-pooling business, and their vehicles were confiscated. Only, recently, the law has been changed. Now, car-pooling has been made legal. The system introduced by Road and Transport Authority is called Sharekni. In accordance, with Sharekni, a website is setup where a person owning a car must register his car on the website for the car-pooling services, write the names and number of people accompanying him to work, and wait for an approval from the RTA. Once approved by the RTA, then only 4 people can accompany the person. And no one else is allowed to sit in the car. So now imagine if your friend has a flat tyre, you are to turn your back on him/her because if you don’t then you get stopped by the police in the morning and get a fine as you did not register your friends name in the website. But the sad thing is that these rules are only applicable to the expats and especially people from the subcontinent or the Far East. As far my knowledge goes I have never seen any policemen, stop any local people or people from western countries to check their cars. The level of discrimination is so high whereas Dubai wants to be a tourist destination and be culturally diversified. Then why not provide equality to all? ? Today’s article in Gulf News states that out of 8000 people who registered their car for Sharekni, only 200 got approval in 2008. That amounts up to only 2.5% got an approval and the others are still waiting. After so many strict ‘Big Brother’ rules, only 2.5% people get approval. That is quite hard to digest. The article states that out of 4,286 only 108 got permits in 2007, which is again 2.5%. Therefore, either of two things is happening – one the RTA is only letting 2.5% of the total get permit or second their are just being plain slow about it. After reading all this, everyone must be wondering why every time I read something in the paper and then whine about it over here.
Right?
But I’ll tell you why I feel this is an important issue. Maybe according to the ’smart’ RTA, car-pooling is illegal. But does the RTA understand that indirectly it helps them? If people car pool, it reduces traffic problems. As people would prefer to car pool rather than drive which in turn reduces traffic problems in Dubai. Moreover, it reduces pollution as the number of cars will reduce. Also, it will help people save a little or earn a little money in Dubai, in this crisis. Maybe my blog or I alone cannot make a difference, but the other 2.5 million people living in Dubai affected by the problems around here can join this force and help improve the place.

The news was announced on Tuesday 30th December, 2008. The parties all over Dubai were supposed to be cancelled to potray an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza who are killed by the Israeli military. The news was announced quite late at 7:00 p.m. and those who have purchased tickets were in panic because they were all enthusiastic to party. Later in the night, no clubs, or party venues were ready to confirm the news and were unable to answer any queries. This is a good way to show solidarity and a good step taken by Shaikh Mohammad, but in a way it is unfair to the people in general. The people killed there are palestinians and therefore, mostly the palestinian population in Dubai must be moaning and not everyone. The Britishers, Americans, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, etc living in Dubai, should not be forced to sit at home and moan for people who do not even belong to their respective nation. Moreover, when there was an attack on World Trade Centre in America, the bombings in London, the terrorist attack in India, the invasion of Iraq, and many other times, no steps were taken to show solidarity with the World. Everything was normal in Dubai, and nothing in people’s life changed here. Even innocent people were killed then, and it was worst, it was terrorists who attacked. But only people who have their beloved ones were bothered then, and no one else was forced to moan. But this time, everyone in Dubai has to forget their New Years Eve and sit and think about the war in Gaza. In a multi-cultural society like Dubai, this is a very amateurish decision and moreover, it is a selfish decision. Why is Palestine given more importance and because of that, people cannot celebrate? Even though, none of the parties are cancelled, leaving a few, but those few parties which are cancelled will face a heavy loss and who will pay for that? The tourist who have come to Dubai to meet their beloved ones and to party with them, would also be disappointed. If it was a regular night, I can still understand if a Dry Day or Week is announced, but on New Years Eve, that is not good. Also, the decision was announced 2 days before the events. This will bring complete disappointment in everyone and cause a chaos. Through this article, I just want to point out a fact that everyone has a right to live! If the attack was in U.A.E., I can still understand, but Palestine is way far away, and cancelling celebrations in Dubai will not effect in any way.


Articles for the cancellation of the parties – Article 1, Article 2
Link to the current situation related to every party venue – Link