Dubai

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Jumeirah Mosque

Dubai has been ruled by the same dynasty since 1833 that of Al Maktoum. The emirate's current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister and Vice president of the UAE.

Many years ago, Dubai was a small coastal village. Material discovered from archaeological explorations suggest evidence of fishing settlements along the Gulf Coast from as early as 1300s.

The people of the emirate derived their living from fishing, pearling and small scale agriculture.

In 1830 a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis inhabited a small fishing village at the mouth of the Creek. The tribe was led by the Maktoum family whose descendants continue to rule Dubai today.

THE OLD WAY OF LIFE
The people who roamed the hot deserts as nomads with their camel herds were known as Bedouins.

In those days, life was harsh for the tribal wanderers who survived life in the desert wilderness without the comfort and convenience of the 21st century. They cared for their herds in the rugged mountains and tended date palms wherever traces of water could be found.

In the old days, work on the coast involved dhow building to service the lucrative fishing and pearl diving industries. It was the discovery of pearls, which initially led to the rise of Dubai as a trading city.

By the late 1870s, Dubai had become the principal port of the Gulf Coast through its developing activity in trade. The city attracted traders from Iran, India and around the Gulf and by the turn of the century, Dubai was reputed to have the largest souqs in the region. Pearls continued to be a mainstay of the Emirate's prosperity until the 1940s, when the development of Japanese cultured pearls led to a collapse in demand for the natural product. However, by that time, trade in other products, including gold, had grown steadily and Dubai continued to thrive and became known as the “city of merchants”.

After World War II, the search for oil throughout the Middle East intensified, but it was not until 1966 when Dubai's reserves were discovered. The first exports followed in 1969 and it was during this time Britain announced its withdrawal from the region, a move which was to have a significant impact on the political geography of the area.

In 1971, the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain, Fujairah and (one year later) Ras al Khaimah came together to form the federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a proud sovereign state of 83,600 square kilometers and a small population which has subsequently grown to some four million people as estimated in 2005.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the largest and most influential emirates in the federation. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is the seat of the federal government and a major oil-industry centre, while Dubai occupies the main commercial hub with trading and business ties extending beyond the Middle East to all corners of the world.

RELIGION AND LOCAL CUSTOMS
Islam is more than a religion; it is also a way of life and sets out a comprehensive code of conduct. Within the Qur'an, the Noble Words of God Almighty, is a complete set of rules covering every aspect of human behaviour.

The Qur'an also outlines the Five Pillars of Islam, a Muslim's primary duties including The Testimonial of Faith, Salaah (the ritual set of Prayers five times a day), Zakah (Compulsory charity), fasting» during the Holy month of Ramadan and Hajj (The Pilgrimage to Mekka). Ramadan is the month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Noble Qur'an and observe a month of fasting.

Its timing is not fixed in terms of the Gregorian calendar, but goes back 11 days every year. In accordance with UAE law, visitors and residents, not observing the fast should refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public.

CLOTHING
Care should be taken all year round so as not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered inappropriate or revealing. Visitors are required to wear clothes which adequately cover the body.