While development projects are being delayed and tourism numbers are expected to plummet, the United Arab Emirates sees the crashing economy as a blessing in disguise, the New York Times' Michael Slackman reports. Finally, native Emiratis say, they have a chance to reclaim their identity, which has become endangered by the influx of foreigners who have come to capitalize on the nation's booming economy. Many natives are hoping to see some of these foreigners leave, allowing them to regain a cultural foothold in their own homeland. As the country with the world's largest per-capita ecological
footprint, perhaps this economic cool-down can quell a culture in
crisis. It is estimated that Emirati natives, who have nomadic Bedouin lineage, make up only 10 percent of the UAE population today. Several spoke fervently with Slackman about their fleeting traditions. "We are Bedouins, developed Bedouins, but we still have our traditions. It's all changing and disappearing," one says in the article.
Read the entire article here. IT wants to know: Where do you see the Emirates' future going? Will natives be able to reclaim part of their identity as the economy tumbles?
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The UAE has only very recently enjoyed the spoils of its labour (oil) and as such is still enjoying spending the vast amounts of cash it has generated.
Eventually though as the society matures, I'm sure they will take their traditional values seriously and start to invest in their indiginous culture, rather than simply importing everything.
The excellent history of Dubai museum is a good example of that.
At the time of financial crises we need to come together united and try to solve the problems which are responsible for such a hazard. We need to overcome it. It is meant to bring calm to the population and markets and display government strength and stability.