Masdar Institute, Class of 2011 & Random UAE info

I was very privileged to attend the Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, Class of 2011  inaugural Commencement Ceremony.  Kathleen has been working at Masdar for just over a year now as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Public Affairs, Dr Lamya Fawwaz, so she kindly invited me along to the Emirates Palace Hotel where the ceremony was held.

Dr Lamya N Fawwaz - Kathleen's "boss"

I doubt whether I will ever come this close to H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, again – it was the most powerful and emotionally charged experience of my life – except of course for the birth of my daughters, grandchildren …….  you have to understand the feeling which I am trying to convey!

Hotel entrance - valet parking

Family and faculty members

Now this is how you frame a picture !

Gold, gold, everywhere gold

The elevator doors

and a LITTLE marble, of course .....

The floors to the hotel rooms

We sat a little far from the stage, so my photos are not the best but besides that I was so emotional you would have thought my own flesh and blood were involved in the proceedings ……

The lights in the auditorium are BEAUTIFUL !

The "ushers"

The arrival of the Crown Prince (centre, wearing the gold bisht)

When he sat down - the photographers rushed forward !!!

Imagine being on the receiving end of this !

The MC

Class of 2011

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nayhayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE, giving the keynote speech

From left to right: Dr Fred Moavenadeh (President, Masdar Institute), H.E. Sheikh Nahayan and H.H. the Crown Prince - Conferring of Degrees

A female graduate using her creative fashion flair

Another in her Abaya

Instead of fireworks, there was a "lightworks" display !

Masdar Institute, Class of 2011 !!!

I would like to express that my blogs about the UAE and it’s people, are purely from my observations and from a little book called “Ask Ali – a guide to Abu Dhabi” which Kathleen bought for me, so if I have stated anything which is contrary, I stand corrected and apologise. Modesty and respect are the Arab world’s greatest virtues – thank you Ali !

The black A'gals

UAE national men wear an A’gal to hold their A’smah or Dishdash in place. The A’gal, was originally used as a form of rope to tie their camel’s legs when resting during travel so that they would not run away. It is made of lamb’s wool and used to be whitish beige in colour but after the Muslims lost Andalucia to the Christian Spaniards, the Claiph ordered that all A’gals were to be dyed black as a form of mourning. A’smah is the piece of cloth wrapped around a man’s head. It was considered inappropriate for a man not to have his head covered and because the environment is very sunny and dusty, the cloth was used to avoid dust from entering the nose and mouth. It used to be wrapped randomly but it is now worn in different artistic ways.

The red & white fabric is a personal fashion choice

Men wear predominately white Kandooras and if a man is attending an official function, he will wear a Bisht (a long cloak) over his Kandoora. Today I noticed that all the esteemed dignitaries wore gold Bishts over their Kandooras made from very thin fabric. The women wear black Abayas which sometimes have embroidered or “bling” trimmings/edgings. Their choice of the clothing or shoes which they wear under the Abaya is very creative.  They wear a black Shayla to cover their heads and a Burga will be worn as a traditional design over the face.

Gold trim

It is disrespectful to take photos of local (Emirati) people (women and families in particular), without their approval first but today was an opportunity to take photos and blog about various customs and the traditions of the people of the Emirates. I was saying to Kathleen that it makes me so sad to think that one day their culture might also collapse and that they will adopt the more relaxed ethics of our western society. As a Christian, I admire and respect their devotion to Allah – he is acknowledged and praised throughout their daily existence and it is not unusual but rather customary. One of my most cherished memories of the UAE, is the call to prayer. One of the five central pillars of Islam is praying each day – not just once, but five times. To remind the people that it’s time to pray, the muadhin (prayer caller) from the mosque will call out through loudspeakers, their beautiful voices just wash you with a sense of peace – I find it the most beautiful practice to wake up to.

I noticed in the auditorium where the ceremony was held, that when women greeted one-another that they kissed on the cheek three times and if the woman was an older family member, like a mother or grandmother,  she would get two kisses on the cheek and one on the forehead, even from male family members. Some of the Gulf men greet each other by touching noses three times in succession.

Emirati’s have a more relaxed attitude when it comes to business and consider their business associates to be more like friends, so if they have an urgent family matter or another business dealing, they will walk out of a meeting without meaning any disrespect and won’t be upset if you do the same. It will stand to you in good practice to be patient and understand that Arab people have priorities which are sometimes different from other cultures.

I have mentioned in a previous blog that you cannot just buy alcohol or be served alcohol in any public place but that you can drink in the privacy of your home or at one of the many international hotels. To be able to drink alcohol in the privacy of your home, you have to first obtain a liquor license. It’s like a passport to drink. Each time you purchase liquor, the store will note the date and how much you purchased in your license. The amount you are allowed to purchase for is 20% of your monthly salary but you can only get a license if you earn more than Dh3,000 per month. Muslims are forbidden to consume alcohol but for expats who do imbibe, there is a law against public drunkenness – you will be arrested and jailed. Sounds pretty acceptable to me!

Entrance to the Sport Complex

Date season in the UAE

This is a Plant Nursery in a shop, probably 15ft x 9 ft. From the outside it looks like any other shop in the row but inside a complete nursery !

King of the "concrete" jungle !!!!

A landmark building in Al Raha, Khalifa City A - a perfectly "round" building!

Having a spell of "warm" weather here in AD .....

 

Kathleen will always wear trousers, longsleeves (jacket) and

closed, heels to work even in 46 degrees!

Loved this straw bag - hoping to find some in India !

She does wear sandals at home ...........

Sorry sister dearest - this would not fit into my case ......

We will be going to the Officers Club for lunch on Friday before I leave, so there will not be another blog in the UAE again until my next visit – I have had an absolutely amazing visit in Abu Dhabi – THANK YOU Morne and Kathleen – love you HUGELY !!                  KHALLAS !