Will the World end tomorrow? No, says Dubai astronomer

Dubai: Doomsayers take heart. Tomorrow’s just another day — it’s not the end of the world yet. At least that is what a Dubai-based astronomer has assured us.

“Be yourself, be happy and at peace,” said Hasan Ahamad Al Hariri, CEO of the non-profit Dubai Astronomy Group in the run-up to the “inevitable”.

As the world goes to bizarre lengths to prepare for the worst (see box) on December 21, the hyped end-date of an ancient calendar, Al Hariri said: “The doomsday prophecies are a complete hoax.”

The dates regarded as the close of a 5,125-year cycle in the Mayan civilisation’s long-count calendar coincides with various astronomical alignments, but Al Hariri said the prophecies surrounding the event have no scientific basis.

He said: “Astronomically speaking, the earth, sun and centre of the galaxy will be in alignment on December 21. But this happens every year and we are not seeing anything different now.”

Dismissing the Doomsday talk as a myth, he said: “They stem from lack of knowledge. They play on our sentiments and weaknesses because as humans, we prefer to believe in the unknown and see superheroes doing great things rather than focus on what we can do. Life has its own pace and motions, but we tend to seek salvation by believing in fallacies.”

Hassan said there is needless panic about what is a normal astronomical event. He said religions also talk about Doomsday but not with the aim of creating fear. “From the Islamic point of view, we are told that there will be Doomsday and there will be clear signs before it happens. The last of these signs is said to be when the sun rises in the West.”

Selling Out on Doomsday

A two-street town called Bugarach in the French Pyranees is being projected as the only place on earth that will survive December 21. So it’s “end-of-the-world” memorabilia are selling like hot cakes, with visitors also buying the “curative” waters of a spring at a premium. A man is offering his home for £1,200 (Dh 7,175) a night and a camping spot for £324.

Luxury hotels in California are said to be offering Doomsday or Mayan Apocalpyse packages ($699) so that guests can enjoy their “last meal”, even take part in a fitness course to help them escape zombies.

An underground bomb-proof shelter manufacturer, again in California, is doing brisk business as his luxurious bunkers, fitted with leather sofas, plasma TVs with beds, a kitchen and toilet are selling for around £46,000.

Dubai Astronomy Group is holding a talk on the truths, prophecies and misconceptions about 21.12.2012

WHERE: The Shelter, Al Quoz

WHEN: Thursday, 7.30pm onwards

ENTRY: Free