“We respect you, we respect your religion and we want to work together for the sake of freedom and peace,” – these words of visiting US President, George Bush in Dubai will indeed go a long way in dispelling the growing anti-US sentiments in the Arab world and build trust between the two, even though the Middle East peace process still remains a distant dream.

Steering clear of the anti-Iran rhetoric that has dominated his Middle East tour so far, the US President was visibly relaxed on his tour of Dubai on Monday as he sampled its rich historic past and upcoming iconic projects.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai offered the US Head of State a taste of the famed Arabic hospitality as he took him around the historic Shaikh Saeed Al Maktoum House in Shindagha, where a special reception was held in his honour.

President Bush was greeted with folk dances, incense and flowers. He was accompanied by the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice and Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister.

He also toured the Shaikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in Bastakiya, the Dubai School of Government and iconic seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab.

“I am most impressed with what I have seen here. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong and equally importantly the desire to make sure that all aspects of society have hope and encouragement,” he said while interacting with young Emiratis who are a part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership development at the Arab Council. He congratulated Shaikh Mohammed for his vision in strengthening bridges of cultural understanding between today's Emiratis and the rest of the world.

Dubai is standing tall as the region's tourism power house with Dhs. 454 billion invested in upcoming tourism projects. Out of the total Dhs 1 trillion investments in tourism projects in AGCC countries, Dubai alone accounts for 45.4 per cent of the Dhs. 858 billion worth of projects in the UAE, a market survey conducted by Reeds Exhibitions has revealed. As a leading tourist destination in the world, Dubai is giving other favoured tourist destinations like Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney, a run for their money. In 2006, it opened its doors to as many as 6.5 million visitors with the numbers expected to swell to 15 million in 2010, by the time many of Dubai's awe-inspiring projects are completed. In 2007, Dubai scored heavily on the world tourism destination chart, when its hotel establishments recorded the highest occupancy rates and revenues in January 2007. The construction of some grandiose and seemingly impossible projects has helped focus the global spotlight on Dubai with the emirate gaining the reputation of making the impossible possible. A brand new sky scraper, the Burj Dubai with more than 160 habitable floors and estimated height of 700 metres will be complete this year, dwarfing the others namely the Petronas Twin Tower in Malaysia and Taipei 101. The World, a cluster of 300 man-made islands in the shape of different countries in the world is yet one more man-made wonder after the Jumeirah Palm, that has grabbed the limelight. The Palm has added a phenomenal amount of extra coastline apart from providing celebrities like David Beckham and Shahrukh Khan some of the most expensive residences on the face of the planet. Nakhleel is already well into its US $ 1.8 billion project to create the 300 islands of the World” that will eventually resemble the shape of the world. Built four kilometers offshore, each island will be sold as a private retreat with Hawaii available for a few millions of dirhams. Fans of Disneyland might now head for Dubai. The first phase of Dubailand, expected to be completed this year. The mega leisure and entertainment project will feature six themed worlds and more than 200 leisure and entertainment projects. There are innumerable theme parks, museums, galleries, spa resorts, academies and a Manchester United Soccer School that are part of the master plan. The key driver for tourism will be the completion of the estimated $ 27 billion Bawadi, the world's largest hotel complex that will add 30 hotels and 29,000 hotel rooms to Dubai's already very large repertoire of 40,862 hotels and furnished apartments. Built in Las Vegas style, Bawadi will be constructed in different phases over the next 8 years wowing tourists from the world over. The latest is a $ 1 billion logistics harbour and park that will link mainland Dubai with The World, a cluster of 300 man-made islands developed by Nakheel. The logistics park located next to Port Rashid will be Dubai's very own Maldives Island. Expected to be completed within one and a half years, the logistics park will have 5,000 hotel rooms with hotels operating shuttle boat services for their guests. Tourism currently contributes more than 30 per cent to Dubai's economy. As it races ahead of others to wrest the title of the most sought-after tourist destination in the world, boom time for the tourism industry is here to stay.

A dazzling display of laser and pyrotechnics synchronizing water acrobatics and fireworks marked the beginning of one of the world's most exciting festivals –the Dubai Shopping Festival 2008-- at the Festival Marina of the Dubai Festival City (DFC) on Jan 24. The spectacular opening ceremony held in the idyllic setting of one of Dubai's new and iconic properties was graced by royal guests included Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and other sons of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Laila Suhail, CEO of DSF presided over the official opening of the month-long retail bonanza. In 2008, Dubai's trendsetting festival has heralded a new season -- “Fifth Season” a season filled with shopping, fun and entertainment. With the beginning of the festival, Dubai has come alive with lights and colourful festoons creating a festive environment from Muraqqabat road all the way to the Global Village in Dubailand. Suhail said: “The opening ceremony is a celebration of the of the huge team effort of the past few months. The DSF office strives towards excellence in all the shopping festivals. This aspiration for raising the bar is inspired by the vision of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a leading international hub for business and tourism. More than 1000 invited guests watched in awe the aqua show that could be compared with one of the best in the world. The show started with the Dubai symphony and then huge screens mounted on the water front of the Festival Marina depicted the story of Dubai's culture and heritage through a kaleidoscope of images. Very soon it was time for the fireworks and the Dubai sky lit up in different hues of fireworks sourced all the way from China. This year the DSF will be special in more ways than one with retailers vying with each other to woo buyers with a variety of promotions. The most astounding promotion is the one offered by UAE-based property developers Damac. Up for grabs are a jet worth Dhs. 5.5 million and a Dh 1 million private island in the Caribbean in a draw for property buyers. The Gold and Jewellery Group, one of the key sponsors of the festival has said that they are looking at an increase of 20 per cent from last year's sales. The quantum of gold sales is expected to touch Dhs.1.2 billion. The group is giving away prized of 1 kilo of gold on all the 32 days of festival. The DSF calendar of events includes an exciting mix of retail promotions, edutainment activities for children and opportunities for residents and visitors to turn millionaire overnight.

If you are fascinated by the martial art form of Kung-fu, then the Wafi City might just be the place to be in during the DSF. Shaolin monks from the Chan Buddhist temple at Song Shan have arrived all the way from China to fascinate vistors with their authentic display of the martial form. Not just Shaolin monks, there are Japanese geishas too and finally Korean break dancers who make the most difficult of back-breaking feats possible in an awe-inspiring show called the Dubai Fringe Festival. The annual cultural and performing arts festival has heralded a new era in the establishment and promotion of world cultures and performing arts. Striking a perfect balance between grace and power, the display of martial arts by Shaolin monks, themed break dance shows and traditional oriental dances that Japanese geishas used to perform centuries ago, the Dubai Fringe Festival is attracting visitors by the droves. The themes break dances by Seoul Bursters deliver a must-see performance. Kim Woo Chan the leader of the group took time out to talk to GoDubai.com. “I am elated to be in Dubai and this is our debut performance. We have all trained from the age of 6 to perform the way we do. Dance is my passion.” Hosted in Dubai, the Middle East's vibrant commercial and entertainment capital, the Dubai Fringe Festival is the first fringe festival in the Middle East celebrating various forms of cultural and performing arts including but not limited to theatre, comedy, circus, visual arts, dance, and music. The Dubai Fringe Festival serves as a world-class platform offering aspiring local, regional, as well as international artists the opportunity to gain international recognition, exposure, and awards necessary to grow and succeed. The Dubai Fringe Festival is the brainchild of a collaborative partnership between the Dubai Shopping Festival, the world's premiere shopping festival, and Total Concepts International.

Adrian Hayes the fastest man to conquer the three peaks of the world
talks exclusively with Debasree S, Editor GoDubai.com Is Adrian Hayes the fastest man in history to have conquered all the three pinnacles of the globe? Considering that this former British Army Gurkha officer reached the top of Mount Everest in May 2006, walked across the ice to the North Pole in April 2007 and then topped it up with a successful trek to the South Pole in December 2007, all within a span of 19 months, he has for sure staked his claim to the hall of fame. Dubai's very own adventurer earned a great deal more than just his share of limelight –it is the simple lessons in life that this ace explorer learnt while on his insurmountable treks that made his conquests all the more meaningful. Quite unfazed by the enormity of his feat, Hayes attributes much of his success to the tremendous support that he has received from his sponsors and the strength that he imbibed from Dubai's “Can Do Attitude.” As he pushed his own personal limits of endurance to touch the top, bottom and the roof of the world, the 40-something explorer believes that his happiest moment was not when he touched the South Pole and created history of sorts but 21 days earlier when he was fighting against the deadliest of odds -- chilly winds at 100 kms per hour, Achilles' heel, broken shoe straps and still managing to keep up a healthy pace.” “Despite all the hardships, the very fact that we were maintaining the momentum, setting up tents, trudging though the hard snow, made me happy. I knew that if we were able to overcome such extremes and then still carry on, we will do a lot better in the coming days.” Having accomplished his mission, the corporate coach and motivational speaker who offers companies and individuals an “opportunity to unlock, their fullest potential, through tried, tested and powerful tools” says that he is himself suffering from a “sensory overload.” So much so that he needs to unwind in a Maldives beach to “come back to civilization.” “There is a mix of emotions, a sense of achievement and then a sense of bewilderment.” And yes there were moments he was almost on the verge of giving up. For instance, at the peak of the Mount Everest, at the veritable death zone, his oxygen mask gave way and he was almost 14 hours without an oxygen mask, gasping for breath and keeping his fingers crossed. “That was a moment that I thought, we will not be able to make it.” Talking about his recent expedition to the South Pole that catapulted him into the elite club of 14 other explorers who have achieved the same feat, only that he did it in record time, Adrian said: “I must say that it is an arduous trek but it was fractionally easier than doing the North Pole.” Hayes set off from the Hercules Inlet on the Northern Coast of Antarctica on November 13 with a team of likeminded explorers from Canada, Britain, Norway, Switzerland and Lebanon. Hayes believes that virtually anything and everything is possible in life if you have the right mental attitude and want it badly enough. Over 1,130 kms walked, 12 kilos lost and 47-days of a very hazarduous trek to the South Pole, Hayes gave enough testimony of his “never-say-die” , attitude. The journey is one of the most physically demanding, placing a tremendous strain on the adventurers who burnt at an average of 8,000 calories a day, equivalent to the energy used while running a double marathon everyday for 60 days. Hayes set off from the Hercules Inlet on the northern coast of Antartica on November 12, 2007 with his team averaging around 24 kms during difficult 10 hour days. Progress during the end of the expedition, Hayes said, was hampered by extreme weather conditions in the high altitudes. In the end, his boot broke and he had to wait for many hours before he could get a fresh supply. The South Pole Challenges are largely known for strong winds, an uphill trek from sea-level to 3,000 ms and a number of crevasse fields. “The ferocity and the sheer duration of the frenetic winds blowing in your face and trekking for more than 10 hours daily under these circumstances, is a gruelling task, it eats into you. “There were so many people who were supporting us, so many expectations to live up to and eventually that was our biggest inspiration,” Hayes said. “We were only able to go as fast as the slowest member of the team, but we all worked hard together to ensure that everyone made it in one piece, albeit very weak and exhausted.” Hayes is the second Briton in history to reach the three pinnacles of extreme adventure in the world and joins the club of 117 people who have walked to the South Pole the entire way in 96 years; one of the 57 people to reach South Pole unassisted and one of the 3 people to reach both poles in one year. Hayes' has dedicated his “Three Poles Challenge” to raise awareness and money for the Children's Hope Foundation and Friends of Cancer Patients. Soucre : GoDubai.com Posted : 4/02/2008

Amidst all the fun and the revelry that is taking place in Dubai in the name of its swanky shopping festival – there are some unique expressions of emotion and independence from the under-privileged that are worth a mention. The Heritage Village in Shindagha and the Global Village are some of the venues that have been chosen to display prisoner's handicrafts – a noble reminder of the hard work that is going on inside Dubai's jails to reform convicts and return them to the mainstream of society. Confined within their cells, the prisoners might be far removed from the entertainment and the festivities but what is heart-warming is the effort on the part of the Jail authorities to give prisoners their place under the sun. “What better place to showcase our commitment to reform and integrate convicts to the mainstream of society than the DSF” asks Captain Adel Guma Al Hallawi, Director of the Supplies and Services Department of the Dubai Department of Punitive and Reformative Establishment. Dubai's trademark shopping festival has thrown up selling and buying opportunities, but for the prisoners themselves, every time that their item sells, they get a share of the profits. “We do not want the community to forget the convicts, instead we want them to use their time in the Jail to learn something useful that will give them a livelihood after they are released,” says Capt. Adel while talking exclusively to GoDubai.com. A huge wooden barbeque stand greets you as soon as you enter the hall followed by rows of Oudh holders and traditional Arabic wooden caskets that could hold anything from jewellery to clothes. Then there are children's playthings, paintings, household items from satin slippers to pillows all made by male and female prisoners inside Dubai's Jails. “This is the best evidence of our work to reform criminals and prove that they are ready to return to the community as responsible and dutiful individuals,” Capt. Adel said.

The prisoners undergo different forms of training from carpentry to painting. If any prisoner is exceptionally talented we ask him to train the others. This helps in fostering friendship and giving expression to their thoughts and ideas.” When prisoners teach others a special trade, he gets an additional allowance. If a prisoner is found adept at memorizing the Holy Quran, his sentence is commuted. Academics are encouraged and they pursue studies through long-distance classes. Prisoners can also undertake the International Computer Driving License programme after IT training. “We have a responsibility in reforming the prisoners, not just segregating them,” Capt Adel explains. A part of the proceeds of the sale of these items at the DSF will benefit the prisoners themselves, the rest will help in buying raw materials for future handicraft workshops. The items are reasonably priced like a velvet baby chair would cost Dhs. 70 and a Mandoos (wooden casket) ranging from Dhs. 250-500 depending on the size. Source : GoDubai.com Posting : 03/02/2008