Dubai: Dr Reyadh Al Kabban, who stepped into the UAE in 1988, knew it would be the ‘perfect home away from home’ and that he would raise his children in a country with a culture common to his.
Starting his career as a lawyer in the UAE with a dream to set up his own law firm in Dubai, he also knew Dubai would be a promising destination and a country with a bright future as it was developing so fast.
Having lived in the UK for six years, Al Kabban, now 64, said he had a desire to return to his Arab roots, but due to the unstable political situation in his country, Iraq, returning was a farfetched dream.
“For me, it was important that my children be brought up in a safe environment and absorb the traditions and customs similar to that of my ancestors. The culture, traditions, customs and the language of the UAE are similar to that of my county,” he said.
Back in the 80s, he said, Dubai had offered many expatriates an array of opportunities as it was growing and undergoing many changes.
“The UAE provided the most vital element for a family — safety and security. The laws of the country were modified to attract people to work in it and they convinced investors that UAE markets were a safe haven for making significant investments and huge returns,” he said.
Recalling his days in the 1980s when he was a practising advocate at the Dubai Courts, he said Dubai Courts was a just small building behind Dubai Municipality. “Being such a small legal community, all the lawyers and judges were acquaintances. The UAE kept knocking on the doors of development and kept rapidly progressing until it became what it is today. I still remember how the only modes of transportation were limited to buses and cars, and the longest road in the UAE, Shaikh Zayed Road, was a double-lane road that ran in both directions.”
The tallest building on Shaikh Zayed Road, he said, was the World Trade Centre.
Reminiscing on the past, Dr Al Kabban said: “To keep ourselves entertained, I would spend the day with the family in the only two hotels that existed those days in Dubai. My children enjoyed road trips a lot much, but they would get restless when it took hours to reach the destination. Whenever I would return home from work at night, my wife was able to spot my car from the World Trade Centre roundabout.”
The whole area close to Downtown Dubai was occupied by the military and was known as Al Mantakha Al Askeriya Al Wastah (military area), he recalled.
Al Kabban continued to watch Dubai grow and undergo a lot of changes in various sectors, which resulted in significant investments in the UAE markets that boosted its economy. He attributes all the success to the efforts of the leaders and the unity of the seven emirates.
“The unity of the seven emirates is a move towards a progressive future and a true example of Arab unity. The efforts of UAE leaders have resulted in providing its citizens and the residents of the UAE with prosperity and security. In the last 43 years, the people of the UAE have received and enjoyed state-of-the art facilities in the field of education, healthcare and business. Having lived in Dubai for more than 25 years, my children, although now settled in different parts of the world, still consider the UAE as their home.”