Welcome to the Emirates

Melanie has run up against the facts of life of living in a Muslim country. A minor irritation, to be sure. But its a slow erosion of rights Americans take for granted and often have to give up when overseas.

Head Count

The Kingdom executed three murderers and one rapist in November bringing the year to date total to 88.

Mohammud Kohail has lost his appeal but there is no word yet about his fate or if he will be pardoned. His younger brother, in a strange twist of double jeopardy, will be tried a second time but as an adult this time. The death penalty is in play as opposed to the 200 lashes he was to receive as a juvenile. The brothers are accused of murder during a school brawl.

Maybe Not

In my last post I said that the tribulations of the infamous Brits were over. Well, maybe not. A recent article in Gulf News indicates that the prosecution may yet appeal the ruling that suspended their three month jail term and 1000 dirham fine.

"The Criminal Rulings Execution Section will refer the case to the Cassation's Public Prosecution, sources from whom, told Gulf News that they will study the verdict reasons after having them typed and decide whether there are any legal grounds to appeal the verdict. "

In a further twist to this international soap opera, the couple told the court that they were going to get married.

"The couple had earlier handed the court the written undertaking in which they explained that they started their marriage procedures in Dubai. However, they failed to obtain certain documents, which they vowed (in the undertaking) they will submit after they get a marriage approval from a church in London. "

How do you say "shotgun wedding" in Arabic?

Finally Over

The Dubai Appeals Court has finally ruled on Michelle and Vince's conviction for smooching in the sand. Their 3 month prison sentence has been suspended. They have to pay 1000 dirhams and are deported.

Why this wasn't done months ago is a mystery to me.

Safety on the Job

The following quote from a story in the Gulf News should send fear into all expat construction supervisors and engineers.

Consultant engineers and contractors are responsible for overall safety in a construction project throughout the implementation period and thereafter, according to the prevailing laws and local order in this regard as per the Safety Manual for Construction Works.

This means that I, as an engineer on a construction project, could be held liable for an accident on the construction site. Given the appalling lack of safety on Dubai's construction projects and the frequency of accidents resulting in fatality, this causes to think whether the risk of working in Dubai is worth it. Typically, the engineer has little control over the day to day safety on a construction site. Contractors often take short cuts or modify plans without the engineers knowledge. I, for one, do not plan to spend any time in al Slammer. Now, where is that hold harmless clause again?

Kohail Confusion

The press has conflicting reports concerning the courts decision about Canadian citizen Mohammed Kohail’s appeal on his murder conviction. Some Canadian newspapers say that the appeal was rejected. But, according to Arab News, the Canadian embassy has issued a statement that “no official ruling has yet been rendered”. In any case, it is bound to be a sticky issue for Canada and Saudi Arabia.

Guns, Guns, Guns

Seabee over at "Life in Dubai" kicked over a hornets nest with his recent post about Obama. The comment section turned into a web based discussion for the 2nd Amendment. I won't try to continue that discussion. However, I want to point out that Emiratis have a fascination with firearms as well. When I am in Dubai, I frequent the Jebel Ali Shooting Club and the Saharjah Shooting Club. Both places have indoor pistol ranges and organized competitions. I can't count the number of times times I have seen Emiratis trying to shoot the .357 magnum at Sharjah. Usually, they can't control the power and have difficulty hitting the target. I think the attraction for it is the macho factor of shooting a big handgun and the big "boom". Myself, I prefer accuracy and would rather put 8 shots in the 10 ring and a double tap to the head.

Saudi Appeals Court Upholds Death Sentence

In a blow to Canadian Mohammud Kohail, the Saudi appeals court has upheld his sentence for murder. The story is here. His younger brother is also to be re-tried and could face the death penalty. It is not clear how quickly the courts will act on the verdict on Mohammud. It appears that only a pardon by the King can save him.

Head Count

Saudi Arabia played a little catch up and executed 13 last month. One was a rapist and the rest were for drug charges and murder. This brings the year to date total to 84, not quite on track to equal last years record head count.

In other news, the fate of the Canadian Kohail brothers, currently in jail for murder, is still in question. There has been no news about their appeal.

Dueling Appeals

In a new twist in the beach sex scandal, the Dubai Public Prosecutor is appealing the 3-month sentence given to Michelle and Vince. He is saying that it is normal for a longer sentence to be imposed and is looking for at least 6 months. They are due back in court on November 18 to hear the results of the defendant’s appeal to their sentence. It’s not clear if the prosecutorial appeal will be decided at the same time.

The point that there will be no “public displays of personal affection” in the Emirates has been made. Every Ex-Pat in the Middle East has got the message. It is time to stop beating this camel, deport the offending infidels and let life go on.

Appeal for Amorous Expats

Yes, an appeal has been filed. We now need to wait until November 18 to hear the final result. Stay tuned.

The news about their conviction was international news for a couple of days. Everywhere you looked on the net you saw the story of the couple arrested for having sex on the beach. Why does Dubai want this kind of publicity? If I were sheikh, I would send them home and blacklist them from ever returning. I would do it quietly and quickly. It would protect the sensibilities of Emiratis and, at the same time, send a message. And it would do it without negative international publicity. (And the same goes for those found with miniscule amounts of drugs or OTC drugs purchased abroad. Send them back and don't allow them to return.)

A Good Way to Slow Down Growth

Dubai recently invited New Orleans Recovery Czar Ed Blakely to speak at a conference in Dubai. It seems that he was invited at the request of Sheikh Mohammed.

Ed Blakely is a classic example of the axiom, “Them that can’t do, teach.”

His performance in New Orleans has been dismal. Hurricane Katrina gave him a clean slate. He bragged about “cranes filing the skyline” as he led the rebuilding effort into a glorious future. In truth, he has nothing to show for his time in New Orleans despite being given an almost free hand to do as he wanted. Brad Pitt has done more to rebuild New Orleans than Ed Blakely - and he has done it for free.

If Dubai’s objective is to slow down their exponential growth rate, then Ed Blakely is the man for the job. In fact, the people of New Orleans would welcome Dubai hiring him away.

Take Ed Blakely, please! We’ll keep Brad.

Sex on the Beach Finale

They were given 3 months, fined 1000 dirhams and will be deported at the end of their jail sentence. So ends the saga of the amorous affair on Jumeirah Beach.

The international publicity can't have done Dubai and the Emirates in general any good.

Hanoi Jane receives Lifetime Achievement Award???

Gulf News has the story that Jane Fonda has received a lifetime achievement award at the Middle East International Film Festival. There are some that think she just deserves life, with no parole.

And Barbarella would be banned in the UAE.

Dubai Going Broke?

This story in Bloomberg hints that Dubai may be approaching a credit problem.

This is a quote from the article:

While Dubai's economic model ``has proved successful to date, cumulative liabilities are currently rising faster than investments are able to generate returns, which increases Dubai's medium term susceptibility to execution risks and necessitates a clear understanding of wider implicit federal support when rating key government-backed corporations,'' Lotter said.

Sounds like economics-speak than means the debt is rising faster than Dubai's ability to pay the monthly note.

Infrastructure at Capacity

The National has a story about the recent sewage dumping and beach closing. Its another indicator that the infrastucture in Dubai is at capacity and must be expanded if growth is to continue.

Put The Gris Gris on 'em

It seems a UAE footballer (that's soccer player to you) was arrested recently for witchcraft.

I'd hate to think what would happen to sports in the US if players were not allowed to have their superstitions and rituals. But I guess trying to put a hex on the other team is a serious crime.

Head Count

September coincided with Ramadan so the Saudi swordsman had the month off. There were no executions in the Kingdom. The total to date for 2008 remains at 71.

In other legal news, the President of the UAE granted a pardon to the British DJ “Grooverider” who graced this blog last February. He was one of some 700 pardons given out during Ramadan by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Alas, there was no pardon for the British couple arrested for boffing on the beach. (shagging by the shore?) They still have to face the judge next week.

Separation of Church and State

A non-Muslim couple have been fined 1000 dirhams (about $275) for drinking juice in public in Dubai during Ramadan. You see, Dubai law (not just religious tenets) prohibits eating and drinking before sunset during Ramadan. It is punishable by one month in prison and fines up to 2000 dirhams.

This is why our Founding Fathers insisted on the separation of church and state.

Where I Was Then

I was working in the 50 story building owned by a major oil company in New Orleans. I had dropped my wife off at the airport that morning. She was going to Connecticut via Atlanta for a meeting. I first heard about the towers when I went downstairs to the coffee shop. I came back to my office but was unable to get into CNN to get the news. I had to go through BBC to find out what had happened. Shortly after that, the major oil company decided to evacuate the building feeling they may be a target as well so I left the office and walked to my car. While I was walking, my wife called me. She had finally gotten to a phone and was stuck at the Atlanta airport. I told her I was on my way and would find her - somehow. As I left NOLa, I saw that the Superdome was surrounded by State Police. I wasn't sure what I would find on the highway, whether it would be roadblocks or crazy people, but I headed for Atlanta some 8 hours away with the clothes on my back and no side arm.

It turned out that all the police were on duty guarding buildings so I had a free run on the interstate. I put the hammer down, set the cruise control on 80, and went to get my wife. She eventually called me and told me she was in a Holiday Inn. It seems the mayor had asked local hotels with empty rooms to send vans to pick up people at the airport and take people out. My wife got a ride and a room. Thank you Mayor of Atlanta and Holiday Inn.

My wife told me that the airline had told them very little - only that they had to land as a problem in the northeast had grounded all air traffic. The passengers soon learned what happened when they started making phone calls about their changed plans. She sat on the runway for a few hours before getting to a gate. Then all passengers were told to get out of the gate area and go to the main lobby of the Atlanta airport.

We spent the night at the hotel and then drove home the next day.