Submarine Capers

An interesting story is starting to build. The giant conglomerate, Dubai World, is suing Herve Jaubert, founder of Seahorse Submarines, in federal court in Miami for fraud and theft. They claim he misrepresented himself when they hired him to be CEO of Exomos, a company started to build luxury personal submarines for the rich owners of the islands in the Jebel Ali Palm and World developments.

Jaubert escaped from Dubai last year using skills he learned in the French Navy after the Dubai Police arrested and questioned him and confiscated his passport. He was tried in abstentia in Dubai Court, found guilty and sentenced to 5 years. He claims he is a victim of betrayal and corruption and has written a book about his situation and subsequent escape.

Ramadan Crackdown on Begging

According to Gulf News, Ras al Khaimah police will crackdown on begging during Ramadan. Evidently, RAK is overrun with beggars during the month of Ramadan to the point where "they pose a serious threat to society."

I'm still trying to get my head around this issue. I thought Ramadan was a month for religious reflection and charity. And wouldn't that include giving gifts to the poor, many of whom might be beggars?

The RAK police might want to ask themselves, What Would Jesus Do?

Allah Pumps and Stilettos

I've heard of Jesus Boots. I've heard of Cajun Steel Toes. I've seen Cockroach Killers. But I've never heard of Allah Pumps and Stilettos.

It seems a womens shoe store in RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) is in trouble for selling shoes with the name of Allah printed on them. (I assume that it was NOT on the sole of the shoe) The shoes have been seized and a "huge fine" imposed by the Emirates Department of Economic Development, according to Gulf News.

The head of the Department of Economic Development said, "Article No. 10 of the Violations and Fines List stipulates that the department will punish and impose fines on all those who sell or display to the public products which directly violate the decency code or Islamic regulations. "

In related news in GN, Sharjah is arresting young men for the wearing of what we in the US call, Bling. Yes, fashion accessories on men is not acceptable under Sharia Law. And that includes silk. So beware, if you visit Sharjah wearing silver or gold and silk boxers, you could be arrested.

Free

Michael Joslin, the American that was incarcerated in Dubai for carrying a handgun in his checked baggage, was freed this week. There is no information concerning the reason why he was released although his Congressman and Senator Arlen Specter did have meetings with Dubai officials in Washington.

Needless to say, he won't be travelling through Dubai ever again.

I'm glad that he is back with his family. He was stupid to try to carry a handgun into Afghanistan and I don't condone his actions. But I think Dubai did the right thing and avoided a lot of bad press by deporting him. They should have done the same with the Brit adulterers and Sex on the Beach couple.

Dummy!

It now appears that the American arrested for carry a gun in his luggage while transiting Dubai did it of his own volition against company policy.

While speaking from a pay phone that he operated through calling cards from weekly commissary trips at the Dubai Airport Deportation Center, Joslin said he was not aware that he needed to get approval for the weapon or the medication and never told EMW his intentions of bringing them.

“It was my decision,” the father of three said, calling EMW a “solid company.”

While the EMW attorney stated that the contract Joslin was scheduled to work in Afghanistan strictly prohibits contractor personnel from carrying firearms in theater, Joslin said he did not have a chance to read through his employee contract.

“I didn’t read my contract very thoroughly,” he said.

The guy is not the brightest bulb in the box, and he certainly can't blame anyone else for his troubles, but I still think Dubai should pack him on the next plane out and avoid weeks of possibly negative press.

Here's the article.

American in Dubai Jail

An American is being held in Dubai on weapons charges. He was on his way to Kabul with a layover in Dubai. He had a weapon and presciption pain pills in his checked luggage. The weapon was approved by his employer, EMW of Herndon, Va, and he had alerted Emirates Airlines to it. They, like most airlines, allow unloaded weapons in checked luggage. However, when he arrived in Dubai, he was arrested. There is a disconnect between the airline policy and Dubai's laws prohibiting weapons without express permission from the country. Emirates should have checked that he had permission before allowing the weapon, just like they have to confirm that you have a visa before boarding the plane.

He has since been fired by his employer, who in my opinion, should have better prepared him with information for the trip. If was to carry a weapon in Kabul, he should have been issued one there instead of having him carry one with him, regardless of airline policy. He also does not seem to be getting much help from the local American consulate.

I'm not claiming that this guy is completely innocent but he seems to have fallen between the diplomatic cracks. IMHO, Dubai would get better world press, if they just instantly deported people rather than incarcerating them. I'll see if I can follow up on his plight.

Mixed Messages

The entertainment news is all about Paris Hilton doing her reality show in Dubai. There's lots of excitement about Paris looking for a new BFF in Dubai. She's bringing her boyfriend and her entourage. Oh, joy!

Now, if I remember correctly, isn't co-habitation by non-married couples against the law in Dubai? And isn't this the same country that prosecutes people for having sex out of wedlock or in public places? Do you really think Paris and her boyfriend are going to sleep in separate rooms? Do you think she'll end up in jail?

What kind of message does it send to the world if on the one hand you claim to be an Islamic country while on the other you promote one of the biggest party whores in Hollywood?

What's in a Name?

The Dubai RTA is selling naming rights to its Metro stations. Gulf News has the story here.

Its difficult enough to find your way around Dubai what with all the confusing signage and Arabic names. One would think that a Metro station would be named for its geographical location. Hence, the Marina Station would be close to the Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali Station would be close to the Jebel Ali Port, and so on. How much sense does it make to say, take the red line to Intel Station, transfer to the green and get off at CNN Station?

Yes, That Will Teach Her!

In a precedent setting court judgement, a woman has been ordered to pay diyyah or the death of her unborn child. The amount was set at 20,000 dirhams, or 1/10 of the amount for a woman under Shariah Law. The court found her guilty of failure to "exercise due care and diligence while driving and to keep a safe distance between her vehicle and others on the road". But the article in The National says that she was hit from behind and pushed into another vehicle. In every other country in the world, the driver of the vehicle that hit her from behind would be held responsible for the accident. Could the fact that she is Lebanese and not Emirati have anything to do with the judgement?

Oh, yeah, it's not clear to whom she should pay the diyyah.

Pork Ban

Yes, banning the sale of pork in a Muslim country is the obvious response to the Swine Flu pandemic. Those labor camps with workers crowded in 12 to a room will not be a breeding ground for disease transmission. Nor should the crowds of people milling about beside the Creek on Sunday cause you any concern. Feel free to wander about the souks and breath deeply of the desert air. Have no fear, because we have banned pork.

More Free Market

Further to the post below, now the Ministry of Labour has passed a decision regulating the temination of UAE nationals in the private sector. UAE nationals cannot be terminated for "flimsy reasons" and the company must show that they are "not efficient" or have violated labour laws.

Yup, That's the Free Market in Action

The Commander in Chief of the Dubai Police has warned companies not to terminate UAE nationals if they downsize during the current global financial crisis.

He said that such acts violated the laws and norms of the country. He also said that the companies must keep UAE nationals employed in order to preserve the national identity.

He stated that the Dubai Police will "commercially boycott all companies that terminate UAE nationals without giving them any notice or a chance to search for another job under the pretext of the current economic meltdown."

Saudi Divorce Rate Increases

The average monthly divorce rate in 2008 was 1,980 vs. 1,500 in 2007.

According to family medicine consultant Dr. Ahmed Abdul Moneim, the reasons are “absence of religious values, low incomes, intervention of relatives in the personal lives of the married couples and the adverse effect of satellite cable programming.”

Adverse effects of satellite cable programming?? WTF??

And maybe divorcing your wife under Sharia Law is just too darn easy.