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| Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| jannah |
| 08/08/05 at 12:42:19 |
| I almost wanna live there. - J ---------------------------- Dubai reaches for the sky By Irene Hell BBC correspondent in Dubai "History Rising" is the slogan of the gigantic construction project set in motion by Dubai ruler Sheikh Muhammad al-Maktoum last year. It has now reached the stage of a 50-metre-deep (165ft) foundation being laid for what is planned as the world's tallest building Dubai Tower. The silver and steel tower, whose height is a secret, is a shining symbol of the new self-confidence of booming Dubai. Chicago-based architect Adrian Smith, who designed the building, says he has tried to bridge the gap between Islamic tradition and ultra-modern Western architecture. "Spirals come up in many forms in Islamic architecture," he says. "The tower goes up in steps in a spiralling way. In Islamic architecture, this symbolises ascending towards the heavens." A showroom model in the middle of the dusty 120-hectare (300-acre) desert site shows what the metropolis, complete with artificial lake, will look like. In the middle, the silver tower looks like a gigantic arrow reaching halfway to the heavens. "You know that the exact height is a secret," says Mr Smith. "But it is going to be substantially taller than the highest building, taller than 600 metres." Lasting record Nations have long competed to have the tallest edifice. I like a challenge. If I see something impossible, I want to make it possible Sheikh Muhammad al-Maktoum The world's tallest building is currently Taiwan's Taipei 101 at 509 metres, but its glory is about to be eclipsed by mainland China. Sheikh Muhammad, who owns some of the world's fastest horses and biggest private jets, does not want to be beaten that easily and Adrian Smith is determined to set a record that really lasts. "Our observation deck will be the highest in the world. It has a non-stop elevator from the ground to the 124th floor. The whole building has about 154 floors." Future residents are promised a state-of-the-art luxury "sky living" with fresh mangos every morning. International hub The ground pattern of the Dubai Tower, known by its Arabic name as Burj Dubai, is shaped like the flower of the hymenocallis, a white lily native to the deserts of the Arabia. The only other reminder that Dubai is an Islamic country is the separate pool hours planned for women residents. Thousands of workers, mainly from Asia, work relentlessly day and night to fulfil Sheikh Muhammad's ambitious vision of his city as world capital by 2010. The cybersheikh, as he is known, is well aware that his oil resources are limited. Tourism and a finance, media and information hub are intended as the new sources of Dubai's wealth. Tower of Babel? Some critics have been saying that Dubai - just two generations ago a primitive desert outpost - is moving too fast. Will the Dubai Tower be a new Tower of Babel, they ask? But with more than 80% of the emirate's population now coming from abroad, Dubai is already a kind of Babel. And once it is ready, the $900m skyscraper with its 3,000 inhabitants is going to be a major landmark. Does that mean it could be a target of terrorism? Mr Smith prefers to think not. "The message of the Burj Dubai is one of hope and optimism. I think we should not be afraid of life. Otherwise what good is it?" It is a vision shared by Sheikh Muhammad himself, as he drives to the construction site down Sheikh Zayed Road. "I like challenge," he tells the BBC. "If I see something impossible, I want to make it possible. "We have to approach the future, not wait for the future to come to us." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/4746097.stm |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| lala |
| 08/09/05 at 09:00:20 |
| [slm] man, on tv like last weekend there was a whole segment on like regular channels on DUBAI Land.. This proposed (i think proposed not sure if they started building) - supposed to be much larger than disney world, have a whole section on the bedoin lifestyle of ancient arabia, rides, history,.....huge buildings and resorts, not to mention those man made islands (remember that post) that resemble the world map...and numerous other hot spots. on that show, it seemed like they were trying to get investors.. seems like a bit much...but i guess progress comes with imagination- and they are reaching for it. dubai land the next tourist destination..smack in the middle of the mid east...who knew wow salaam |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| jannah |
| 08/09/05 at 09:19:15 |
| wlm, Hey i think the CyberSheikh is pretty smart! There's no way the oil is going to hold out for long and Muslims need tourist destinations too for their families and halal entertainment. Like poor sister Hatice, alot of Muslims want to take their kids on vacation but can't find any decent places. I just hope they don't start catering exclusively to nonMuslims and introducing things like alcohol and bars and casinios, etc. |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| Maliha |
| 08/11/05 at 06:33:16 |
| [slm] I hate to be the pessimist here, but doesn't this scare you a bit? i have always had a foreboding notion when it comes to UAE about these developments. They are not all positive. For instance, Dubai is the one of the few places in the world where prostitution is *legal*, complete with the red light district and all. When i heard that, I was really shocked, cuz even in the US only in Las vegas is prostitution actually legal. The fact that it happens illegally, is irrelevant, for that occurs even in the heart of Saudi Arabia...alcohol of course is legal as well. like what they said about thousands of workers working hard to make the Sheikhs dream come true..reminds me of the signs of Akhera and how one of them is the barefooted bedouins (or slaves?) building sky scrappers (not actual words)..but isn't that a scary concept? I read on BBC Online that the man made islands have *everything* on them, except "surprisingly" not a mosque in sight...is this true? If so, then I fear that they will be sucked alive into the ocean depths. I know, i sound a little gloomy and there are positive aspects to it as Jannah mentioned Muslims do need places to vacation..but when the form of entertainment seeks to imitate and outstrip the west, then we are in real trouble. May Allah guide us all. (amin). [wlm] |
| 08/11/05 at 06:34:17 |
| Maliha |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| Fozia |
| 08/11/05 at 07:51:57 |
| [slm] Not sure about the legal prostituation thing, I do know that the Dubai authorities turn a blind eye to prostitutes, and there are bars which serve alcohol (depressingly these are generally full of arabs...and prostitutes). Until recently the place was overrun by Russian ladies, now since one murdered a local (read arab) the Russian gals have been taken over by Thai prostitutes. You only come across them in certain parts though..... I find Sheikh Mohammad's attempts to turn Dubai into a tourist attraction amusing and alarming in turn. It's too close to the Harram for safety imho, a few hours by car and less by plane, I don't like the thought that non-muslims have such control over any 'Muslim' state. An interesting aside, there's a hotel called the Burj Al Arab, which is made to look like a boat in full sail, it was partly submerged in the sea (may or may not be now). Sheikh Mohammad gave it the go ahead, but upon completion it finally dawned on the bright spark that the back of the building actually resembled the Cross.... The architect (non muslim american bloke as far as I recall) got away with it as the Sheikh had authorised the building after seeing the model many many times. He said on leaving that he wished to leave the Christian mark on Muslim land....... Wassalaam |
| 08/11/05 at 07:54:31 |
| Fozia |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| lala |
| 08/11/05 at 09:06:38 |
| [slm] Disregarding what is halal and haram with these projects- I read that these man made islands etc, can and will have serious environmental impacts ( destruction of the coral reefs etc). And being only 10 ft above sea level or perhaps even less- opens them up for easy flooding etc. THey should scratch the man made island idea- although tehy already built a few. While development is good- how far is too far? How much entertainment do muslim families need? You telling me you cant go bare camel back riding in the sahara anymore ? ;-) Ok that was a dumb joke. But for real. You all are acting like disneyland is any different. Seems the same to me. But the mid east could use their own fun land- I dont doubt that. Anyhow, we shall see what goes down eh. |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| Halima |
| 08/15/05 at 02:45:09 |
| [slm] All, Dubai is one of the places I yet have to vist and would like to, one day INSHA-ALLAH. But reading this post, I can't help but be apprehensive. Having this kind of life on an Islamic land does not portend good for Muslims and the Holy Sites. Subhanallah! It is one thing to want to develop a Muslim country if indeed it is for the benefit of people of that country and Muslims at large. But it is entirely a different thing if this development will infringe on Islamic way of life, beliefs and behaviour. I have learned not take anything at face value. The same diminishing oil in the UAE could have been used to develop Islam in other parts of the world. Oil, while it is the power that currently keeps the world moving, has made the Arab elite forget where they came from except to pander to their whims. For us and our children, visiting the Holy sites should be our priority and goal if Allah permits us. I am not saying that we should not have good/great Islamic modern cities, NO, but an Islamic city where liquor and prostitution is legal is something entirely different. May Allah SWT protect us all. |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| ummnajmah |
| 08/15/05 at 09:41:39 |
| [slm]Yes, it's quite alarming really and sad to read all this about Dubai and all this in the name of developing and trying to emulate the western world. |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| Marcie |
| 08/16/05 at 12:52:25 |
| [slm] It makes me think of the tower of Babylon! [slm] Marcie |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| ayatullah19 |
| 08/17/05 at 05:02:04 |
| [slm] Dubai has no doubt become a place where anything goes, the ruling class should not complain however when serious minded muslims rise up to 'challenge' the indecencies being encouraged by the ruling class........it pains one's heart to think fellow muslims who know what the Quran says will licence what the Quran forbids! :( |
| 08/17/05 at 11:44:17 |
| ayatullah19 |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| Fozia |
| 08/17/05 at 10:14:29 |
| [slm] It's the fact that Arabs (the ones I've met anyway), act like such door mats. My Brother in law is an Imam at one of the big Mosques in Dubai. A few years ago, he received orders not to switch the speakers on for the Fajar Adhaan :o A few days passed and no mosque switched it's speakers on for Fajar in Dubai. Inevitably the owner of the mosque came marching in enquiring after my brother in laws health and querying the lack of Fajar Adhaan. My brother in law told him he'd been told not to switch on the speakers because.... get this..... The non-muslim expats, complained the Adhaan woke them :o :o :o, The Arabs took this complaint to heart, keeping in mind the expats are a minority in a Muslim country and decided that the Fajar adhaan was an acceptable casualty in comparison to the pressing need of the expats to sleep.....and the little oiks up the road tell me to go home!!!! Wassalaam |
| Re: Dubai reaches for the sky |
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| timbuktu |
| 08/17/05 at 11:23:58 |
| [slm] does anyone remember certain AHadeeth? 1. bare footed Bedouin riding camels will build high-riese buildings! 2. The women of the tribe of Daus(?) will circumambulate around their idol! The first has come about. How will the second occur? idolatory will come back to the Arabian Peninsuala, and it has come back. Indian films showing idols, with men and women worshipping them, and our children parked in front of them since infancy. Don't you think it has had its effect? May Allah (swt) forgive us, and remove it before it is too late. aameen |
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