Dubai's appeal lies in its vibrant society

The UAE has earned a world-wide reputation for its exemplary and harmonious multicultural society, which is undoubtedly the envy of every civil society in the world today.

A recent experience that brought this to mind was a visit by a delegation from a European country to discuss commercial and industrial investment opportunities in the UAE.

The four-member delegation was received by a group of UAE-based businessmen, which included two Emiratis, namely my son and me, and three residents of various nationalities, representing a company.

We discussed the many advantages of Dubai and the UAE. Together with other members of the team we explained these points, each focusing on one advantage that helps econ-omic growth in the UAE.

Investment

We explained to the delegation that Dubai is even more prepared now to offer commercial investment facilities than at any other time, and as UAE-based merchants, we looked forward to partner with those who want to invest in trade and industry.

This is how we underscored that Dubai's econ-omic status is still at the peak, and that the bad image conveyed by media outlets of some countries could not be further from the truth.

We told the delegation that one of the distinctive aspects that can only be found in Dubai, and which makes it such a glorious place, is a mosaic society of various cultural, ethnic and lingual backgrounds.

As an example, I asked them to consider us, the group of businessmen they were meeting. Our delegation included two Emiratis, a Lebanese, a Pakistani and a Briton.

We all live and work together in the UAE in peace and harmony, along with our families. Our company also includes people of various other nationalities including Indians, Iranians and Arabs.

I pointed out that this is what Dubai is all about. Through its cultural variety and openness, the city created a harmonious society in which people accept one another with a huge amount of tolerance.

I felt that the guests were touched and impressed by what I said. In turn, they said that they shared the same feeling, which is what prompted them to come on their first business trip to the UAE.

One of them told me that what I said about the cultural variety in Dubai is true, because this variety gives the city a great image.

This stands as evidence of the UAE's international reputation as a tolerant, multicultural society and a model to be emulated.

Any society that resists this variety and does not accept it is by all standards one that is empty of progress and civilisation.

Here we must admit that some people are disturbed when they hear such things, which is unacceptable and must be equally rejected by others.

It is much more beneficial to have human feelings towards other people living with us.

This is simply because it would not have been possible for the UAE to reach this stage of development if it was not for the cooperation between its citizens and other people working in it, who contributed to the UAE's development and progress.

Actions speak volumes

If we want this progress to be ongoing and sustainable and if we wish to prove that our love for our nation is based on deeds, not just words, we must give everyone living in this land the feeling that they are our equal partners in the building and development process.

Only through believing in this principle and working according to it will we achieve our targets and overcome obstacles. We will also make people everywhere passionate about the UAE and look forward to living among us and enjoy safety, security and peace of mind.

Here, I recall the wise and realistic words of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in his book, My Vision: Challenges in the Race for Excellence.

Shaikh Mohammad says: "If achieving development is the government's first duty, there is an equally important duty that falls upon its citizens, which is to contribute to making this mission a success.

"This cannot be achieved properly unless every individual, citizen or resident, feels that he is part of the development vision and has in interest in implementing it and achieving its targets.

"In Dubai, there are many nationalities whose countries cannot find a formula for peace with their neighbours, and perhaps their nations live in ongoing tension or come close to war now and then.

"The UAE is concerned with bringing peace to all people of this world, because there is nothing that war can solve that peace cannot, except in very rare cases. Tension cannot replace peaceful dialogue.

"Yet the UAE has nothing to do with tensions, wars and disputes in other areas in the world.

"Everyone living in Dubai is here to make a living and compete in achieving development, support interest and build the present and the future.

"Dubai is not the right place for whoever thinks otherwise.

I believe that all the people living and working in Dubai realise this and know their limits, responsibilities and duties because Dubai is a city of peace and civilisation. It is also a place for competition in work, production and leadership."

Abdul Ghaffar Hussain is a UAE researcher and writer.