Four generations of the Dubai-based Falaknaz family speak to Anupa Prathap about the yesterdays gone by and new tomorrows they are expecting in 2002
In Copenhagen, New Year's Eve has Danes gathering in the City Hall Square to eat traditional kranse kage or cake. Dubliners come together outside the Romanesque Christ Church Cathedral to listen to its 15-century bells to ring in the new.
In Stockholm, thousands of Swedes assemble in Skansen to listen to Tennyson's Ring out Wild Bells being read by a guest speaker at midnight, a tradition that dates from 1895.
In Madrid, as in most Spanish cities, crowds make for the town hall and eat 12 grapes for each bell chime leading up to midnight, for good luck in the following year.
People all over the world watch the seconds ebb away and the new year being rung in ... hope colours all, desires turn sublime as expectations of a better year rise into the air shedding past disappointments.
Four generations of the Falaknaz family spoke about the yesterdays gone by and new tomorrows they are expecting in 2002.
Seventy six-year-old Ahmad Mohammed Falaknaz, the head of the prominent Falaknaz business family, has seen Dubai grow from pearling to the laptop era. Spanning almost a century of growth and development, he has seen skyscrapers rise from humble beginning because of "the visionary leadership of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum".
"I have seen the country grow, especially after 1958.
Before that there was not much happening except trade which was largely limited to Dubai and Sharjah," he said.
"The growth gathered momentum after oil was discovered in 1962 by Dubai. However, the credit goes to the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, was so motivated to create the emirate of today.
"I remember he had travelled with a group of friends to London for the first time, for an operation. After the surgery, his friends wanted to stay back for a while and take in the place but he said no, "our future is in Dubai" and came back immediately.
| The Falaknaz family... anticipating a good 2002 ©Gulf News |
He said, "In the old days, there were no roads and electricity in Dubai. So life came to a stop at sunset. People would gather in each other's houses in the evening and meet for the five prayers every day without fail. Life from those days has changed quite dramatically and the growth has been remarkably rapid.
"One of the main industries earlier was pearling. The divers would go out to sea for six months at a stretch, come back with the pearls, which would then be taken to India to be pierced. Then they would bring back, strung and sold to Western countries.
"The industry suffered a huge setback when the Japanese introduced cultured pearls, which were smoother, perfectly formed and cheaper. Now life has come a full circle and natural pearls are extremely valuable," he said.
Ahmad Mohammed started his business with textiles and foodstuff in India, where he lived for many years with his family. After his father passed away, he returned to the UAE to take over the reins of the company.
Reminiscing about his past, Ahmad Mohammed feels life has been good, despite its many challenges. He is happy with what the years have offered him and his current hope for the new year is to see his 23-year-old grandson Mansoor married. His son Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, who is 54, agreed that would be a key part of the family's agenda for 2002, along with watching and ensuring the family business' growth.
He said, "I studied in Mumbai and was a keen sportsman, so the first business I set up after my education in 1962 was the Emirates Sports Store, followed by the Falaknaz General Enterprises for building materials.
"The family business is run by my brother Amin, who is two years younger and I. Today we have diversified into medicine, furniture, Habitat – which is 25 years old, real estate, jewellery and exhibitions. We are a medium-sized company that is trying to keep pace with the growth of Dubai. The destinies of the country and its people are intertwined and a strong economy such as the UAE supports that.
"The past year has been difficult, but Dubai has been untouched by it. In fact, it has grown, with the opening of the Dubai Media City, e-services initiative by the government and other institutional developments.
"However, I expect 2002 to be good businesswise, especially by the second quarter based on international and local projections. On a personal level, life has been good and I have no complaints," added Abdul Rahman.
His 34-year-old son Mohammed Abdul Rahman Falaknaz would beg to differ on this account. He said: "I want my parents to take holidays more often and especially my father to take it a little easy at work.
"He made sure that life was easy for us when we were growing up and I would like to do the same for him. But it is very difficult to get him to stop.
"Last year has been tough, especially as I took over management of a lot of the business interests from my dad. It got quite low and the only way is up, so I am hoping for 2002 to be a good year.
"With each passing year, the market becomes tougher and challenges increase. In my son's time, I expect it to be even more difficult."
The youngest Falaknaz male, seven-year-old Rashid, is more blase about the new year. He likes to learn new things, with interests ranging from taekwondo to travelling and he hopes to continue doing that. Otherwise life hasn't been exceptionally tough on the young computer wiz, who manages to give IT tips to his grandfather.
Together, the Falaknaz family is anticipating a good 2002 with the business pacing up and more leisure time to follow hobbies such as cricket and fishing.
