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A pretty straightforward article. What are your thoughts???


By ADAM SCHRECK and BARBARA SURK
Associated Press Writers

Posted: Feb. 21 12:33 p.m.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Middle East's most ambitious city has worked hard to build a reputation not just as a financial powerhouse but also as a tolerant and wealthy patron for international sports and arts. The image has paid off with big-name, lucrative tournaments and festivals.

But "Brand Dubai" was tarnished by a string of controversies the past week - over a ban on an Israeli tennis player and a literary festival's dropping of a novel, apparently because of a gay character. Add to that a battered economy, and some are wondering whether Dubai can still deliver on its promises to be an easygoing Middle East oasis for business and entertainment.

The Gulf city-state of about 1.2 million has long struggled to balance the demands of its international ambitions and the conservative traditions and politics of its Muslim Arab population.

In the past, Westerners doing business here could easily overlook controversies because the cash was rolling in. But they may be more reluctant to stick by Dubai when business is bad. The emirate is deep in debt, real estate prices are dropping and laid-off foreign workers are leaving.

"When Dubai was rich and successful, everyone wanted to be its friend," said Christopher Davidson, a specialist on the United Arab Emirates and a lecturer at Durham University in the United Kingdom. "Now that it has no money in the pocket, nobody wants to be pals anymore."

In the tennis flap, Dubai in the end chose internationalism over its sense of Arab solidarity against Israel. After Israeli women's player Shahar Peer was denied entry to play in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, it caused an uproar in sports circles, with top players criticizing Dubai, some sponsors dropping out and tennis authorities warning of bigger consequences. The decision came from federal authorities in the UAE - not specifically from Dubai, which is one of seven members - but the distinction was lost on most observers.

The Wall Street Journal Europe, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., dropped its sponsorship of the tournament, and Barclays bank came under pressure to do the same. The Tennis Channel canceled its plans to air the matches in the U.S.

In response to the uproar, Emirates authorities decided Thursday to allow Israeli player Andy Ram to compete in next week's Barclay's men's tourney. It was too late for Peer since the women's matches had already begun.

But that may not have erased the stigma.

"Where Dubai has fallen down is not reconciling the perception they've created with the reality," said Rob Frankel, a marketing consultant and author of 'The Revenge of Brand X.' "It's trying to carve out its place as the most Western-friendly place in the Arab world. ... But under that thin veneer, there are some serious issues."

Women's Tennis Association head Larry Scott said that while he was glad the UAE government and tournament organizers changed their position quickly, organizations are now warier.

"I've been contacted by representatives of other businesses, academic institutions, cultural institutions that equally would only have invested in being in the UAE if they had the same assurances we had that Israelis could participate in the activities. So, there was a real snowballing effect from this," he said.

Dubai's image took a further hit when it emerged that organizers of the inaugural International Festival of Literature would not be launching a book set in a fictitious Gulf nation because of its sensitive content.

British author Geraldine Bedell said the festival deemed her novel "The Gulf Between Us" as unacceptable because one of its characters, Sheik Rashid, is assumed to be gay. In protest, best-selling Canadian author Margaret Atwood cancelled plans to attend the festival, which begins next week.

American Frank McCourt - one of more than 50 writers scheduled to attend - said he was shaken by the book's rejection.

"I have a great hostility about censorship, I will have to think about this," McCourt said. "When you read about Dubai... There is always this thing about how they want to be in the modern world but people there still look over their shoulders."

The festival's director, Isobel Abulhoul, said Atwood's decision not to attend was "regrettable," but said "social mores" and customs have to be taken into account. "I would hope that anyone informed and interested in the differing cultures around the world would both understand and respect the path we tread in setting up the first festival of this nature in the Middle East," she said in a statement.

Dubai has had one of the most freewheeling social climates in the Middle East, with a flood of foreign expatriates as well as mostly South Asian workers fueling the boom as the city-state built increasingly extravagant resorts, skyscrapers and malls. Still, the city-state's native population, outnumbered by foreigners nine-to-one, has sometimes worried that its own Muslim culture and history are being eclipsed.

Several court cases involving Westerners in recent years were a reminder that the country still holds its conservative attitudes. A British couple last year were sentenced to three months in prison for allegedly having sex on a beach. Authorities eventually calmed any controversy by dropping the sentences and deporting the couple.

Other Gulf cities are far more conservative than Dubai. But few have its ambition to be a player on the international scene, and without much oil Dubai relies more on wheeling and dealing. That makes Dubai far more vulnerable to a negative image, which can hurt the high finance that makes the sheikhdom tick.

The emirate's marketing of itself as a tourist destination has centered largely around high-profile sporting events like the women's tennis championships. The city also annually hosts the world's richest golf tournament and horse race, is home to the world governing body for cricket and is building a $4 billion Dubai Sports City to house stadiums, sports academies and one of several lush golf courses

I think that in the future, if AD are calling the shots, we can look forward to a much more conservative stance.
Dubai has done incredibly well in the past to balance Islam and an influx of western ideas.

I think that the certain parties forgot that they cannot censor the press in other countries and underestimated the negativity their decisions would cause.

There's going to have to be a bit of PR spin put on to counteract the negativity.

sort of like closing the barn door after the Hoss has bolted!!

naa I think as long as there money transactions and interests between the 2 parties then everything will be history. there are bigger issues than the game but yes they might lose holding major game in the future which may effect sport tourism

beside Jews rights are optional and she is ugly, get over it and move on.

I think it would be a shame if the rules here were softened even more.. for example I don't want to see drunk people puking, singing and fighting in the streets!

I also think that the Jews have got their hooks so deep into owning the western media and have such massive financial power there (their political lobbies in USA are just scary, they can manipulate and control so many Government decisions) that no-one dares speak against them unless they want to be ridiculed and branded anti-zionist. It's a bit sick. At least that's not going to happen here.....

Sport has never been politics-free. If the Arab world wanted to ban Israelis from playing here don't they have the right? Almost the whole world banned playing sport against South Africa during the apartheid regime, as well as embargoing their ports and denying them imports of oil. Israel have been bombing the hell out Gaza in a grossly imbalanced game of war, what's the moral difference? Unfortunately money talks louder.

It's good that the UAE is tolerant, but let them not go too far. Nationals must already feel their national identity slipping away under a tide of expats. Yes, it's their own decision to encourage mass 'temporary' immigration, but from what I read it seems hard for young nationals even to be bothered to read and talk in Arabic now, maybe they need to take some tips from the Welsh!

uaekid wrote:beside Jews rights are optional and she is ugly, get over it and move on.

really pathetic. see my post for a more intelligent rationale.

K-Dog wrote: By ADAM SCHRECK and BARBARA SURK

Jewish?

Oh right so you'll not let a Jew play, but happily take sponsorship from a Jewish investor - how hypocritical!

Schreck is a Jewish name for sure, 100 pct. Not sure about Surk.

Chocoholic wrote:Oh right so you'll not let a Jew play, but happily take sponsorship from a Jewish investor - how hypocritical!

Yes as I said, money talks louder, it's a shame. Dubai Duty Free should have thought a few more steps ahead when looking for sponsors?

Well Murdoch pulled out didn't he anyway.

Chocoholic wrote:Well Murdoch pulled out didn't he anyway.

It's a pity he doesn't drop out of the world.

Speedhump wrote:

uaekid wrote:beside Jews rights are optional and she is ugly, get over it and move on.

really pathetic. see my post for a more intelligent rationale.

thanks man.. ok now if she get killed here, injured or attacked whom will be responsible for that ? not you or me. and security can not be provided 24/7 and you know she will eventually go around shopping sightseeing and dine out, haven't you thought of that ?. even the busboy at the hotel may take a shot at her if he turned to be an extremist. now since she is a sport player , no one will provide a top security presidential services for her and if something happens to her then you the country will have a bigger issue in hand other than entertaining you !!.

uaekid wrote:

Speedhump wrote:

uaekid wrote:beside Jews rights are optional and she is ugly, get over it and move on.

really pathetic. see my post for a more intelligent rationale.

thanks man.. ok now if she get killed here, injured or attacked whom will be responsible for that ? not you or me. and security can not be provided 24/7 and you know she will eventually go around shopping sightseeing and dine out, haven't you thought of that ?. even the busboy at the hotel may take a shot at her if he turned to be an extremist. now since she is a sport player , no one will provide a top security presidential services for her and if something happens to her then you the country will have a bigger issue in hand other than entertaining you !!.

Simple response from a simple not stimulated brain cells. I did expect something more intelligent from you, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

K-Dog wrote:

uaekid wrote:

Speedhump wrote:

uaekid wrote:beside Jews rights are optional and she is ugly, get over it and move on.

really pathetic. see my post for a more intelligent rationale.

thanks man.. ok now if she get killed here, injured or attacked whom will be responsible for that ? not you or me. and security can not be provided 24/7 and you know she will eventually go around shopping sightseeing and dine out, haven't you thought of that ?. even the busboy at the hotel may take a shot at her if he turned to be an extremist. now since she is a sport player , no one will provide a top security presidential services for her and if something happens to her then you the country will have a bigger issue in hand other than entertaining you !!.

Simple response from a simple not stimulated brain cells. I did expect something more intelligent from you, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

a couple of simple disagreeing words will do, no need to be harsh guys.

I'm trying some kind of serenity method . so I shall not fight today.

It has absolutely nothing to do with security! If so, how come the other Israeli player is still coming?

American Andy Roddick has now pulled out of the mens and will not defend his title in protest of the visa ban!

Good on you Andy!

He has balls. Defending champion pulling out, thats a slap in the face

Go A-Rod.

Indeed! And with Federer and Nadal out because of injury, the mens is going to be pants.

Do the authorities not understand what international bad press does to a place?

It's strange... I was disappointed that the UAE prohibited Shahar Peer from entering the country because I dislike whenever politics enters sports but I was even more disappointed when they allowed Andy Ram to play. That just shows a lack of moral fiber.

Either they should have let both of them play or they should have not bowed out of their initial stance on not allowing certain nationalities into the country. That they seemingly kowtowed to mounting pressure just shows that they aren't very convinced of their earlier decision. It would be different if they had issued an apology for barring the first player and admitted mistakes, etc. but that's not what they did. They claimed, in one newspaper article, that it has always been their policy:

"The decision to issue the permit is in line with the UAE's commitment to a policy of permitting any individual to take part in international sports, cultural and economic events or activities being held in the country, without any limitation being placed on participation by citizens of any member country of the United Nations" -- Ambassador Sultan Al Qertasi

Consistency and/or accountability goes a long way towards establishing good faith. Unfortunately, the UAE was neither consistent nor held accountable.

I don’t remember any tennis player from any nation speaking out against Israeli forces recently committing war crimes, killing 1300 Gazans, and wounding more than 5000..
Oh keep forgetting, politics and sports shouldn’t mix..
and this topic shoul really be in general chat tread rather than in politics..


xl

uaekid wrote:

K-Dog wrote:

uaekid wrote:

Speedhump wrote:

uaekid wrote:beside Jews rights are optional and she is ugly, get over it and move on.

really pathetic. see my post for a more intelligent rationale.

thanks man.. ok now if she get killed here, injured or attacked whom will be responsible for that ? not you or me. and security can not be provided 24/7 and you know she will eventually go around shopping sightseeing and dine out, haven't you thought of that ?. even the busboy at the hotel may take a shot at her if he turned to be an extremist. now since she is a sport player , no one will provide a top security presidential services for her and if something happens to her then you the country will have a bigger issue in hand other than entertaining you !!.

Simple response from a simple not stimulated brain cells. I did expect something more intelligent from you, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

a couple of simple disagreeing words will do, no need to be harsh guys.

I'm trying some kind of serenity method . so I shall not fight today.

Stop trying to pretend your original post was anything other than a troll or otherwise just a pure hatemessage. you said 'Jews rights are optional', in other words they are lower than human so they don't deserve any rights. Whilst I have no love for the Jewish race I don't deny their humanity (and I mean mortal as opposed to moral). You were pretty ing and in fact you do deserve to be banned for that.

It is a hate massage and not only a massage but a deep feeling in my soul and heart and of course their rights are optional and I'll never change this attitude toward them not in a million year you call me what you want humpy but I see them nothing but worms of the earth.
I wish you all were this enthusiastic in stopping them from killing all the ppl in daily basis, but whom am I talking too ?

The way I see it is that you guys are not from both countries involved here neither from both religions and most importantly not a tennis enthusiast and the replies are the usual WE HATE WHAT EVER DESESION UAE MAKES and the topic is created by the usual deported crying baby k-dog , so it is all usual to me and to the others here in DF and that’s why its just the 5 of you who are the only ones reply's to such topic. now that’s pathetic humpy.

that’s said, you ppl have missed the fact that most of the Palestinians in this country has lost a family member by the Israelis , regardless it is game, you wana watch with a bottle of beer ( witch I doubt you even know the rules of the game) you have to consider their feeling too, you know from a humanity prospective if you have any.
Maybe I can accept the fat that it is a spot and has nothing to do with politics but there is no way in hill they'll do that and I would choose to prefer their feelings on you spoiled ones who only think of entertaining them selves if that is the case anyway.

uaekid wrote:The way I see it is that you guys are not from both countries involved here neither from both religions and most importantly not a tennis enthusiast and the replies are the usual WE HATE WHAT EVER DESESION UAE MAKES and the topic is created by the usual deported crying baby k-dog , so it is all usual to me and to the others here in DF and that’s why its just the 5 of you who are the only ones reply's to such topic. now that’s pathetic humpy.

that’s said, you ppl have missed the fact that most of the Palestinians in this country has lost a family member by the Israelis , regardless it is game, you wana watch with a bottle of beer ( witch I doubt you even know the rules of the game) you have to consider their feeling too, you know from a humanity prospective if you have any.
Maybe I can accept the fat that it is a spot and has nothing to do with politics but there is no way in hill they'll do that and I would choose to prefer their feelings on you spoiled ones who only think of entertaining them selves if that is the case anyway.

Haha, I love tennis and play it by the rules, you nonse And you really can't wind me up because I know you're only a child and an ignorant and bigoted one also, so I'm actually fine. I can say what I like about this matter no matter how much it makes you wet yourself, because I also have a right to an opinion, and I express it like an adult with reasoning. I know you only care about arabs being killed, and you care nothing for genocide in Rwanda, Myanmar, Croatia, etc, (or even East Timor where muslims recently massacred over 200,000 Christians), because your head is buried in your little patch of sand here and frankly you believe everything you are told by daddy, uncle, and what you read in the UAE press.

You even believed that changing my name to humpy will annoy me, so you do it regularly, I noticed. You're very sad you know....!

Your reading of English is very poor, because I was actually defending the UAE's right to bar the Israli, but, what does that matter when instead you can throw your toys and have a nice little toothless baby scream eh, facts aren't important mate, are they?

Don't bother to apologise, I don't actually mind either way what you say, I just wish I could educate you, even a little, but I guess not.

LOL

well humpy lets go back to the subject, it's not about me, I don't care much about it !it's about the Palestinians ppl and how they feel about it or doesn't that count ?


this what might happen...




shaloom

speechless I see humpy !!

uaekid wrote:speechless I see humpy !!

You have no ability to hold any meaningful conversation, it's just a random disconnected jumble of anti western and anti forum member statements, ignoring what conversation has gone before and what points others make. So I kind of lose interest.

It doesn't mean you 'win' which is how you probably see it, as when you cannot change the mind of another person, having the last word does not mean 'I win'. In your case it just means that I or someone else has become bored wth trying to rationalise against your childish quoting of websites instead of intelligent comment (of which you are unable).

We're finished.

no humpy you finally realized there are more issues involved ( victims feeling ) in this other than you wanting an autograph from the player on this tournament.

I feel sad that your daughter has to be raised by a father like you.
.

Now we are finshed.