Page 14 - Synergy see page 60

My Dubai

My Dubai

My City

Some times the world’s biggest stories
come from smallest nations and this
story began thousands of years ago when
some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe,
led by the Maktoum Family, settled at the
mouth of the creek in 1833. The creek was
a natural harbour and Dubai soon became
a center for the fishing, pearling and sea
trade.

By the turn of the 20th century, Dubai
became a successful port. The souk on
the Deira side had 350 shops and a steady
throng of visitors and businessmen.

In 1930’s, Dubai’s population was nearly
20,000, a quarter of who were expatriates.

It is said, that the Creek shaped Dubai’s
destiny and Dubai shaped the creek. The
activities that occur around it exemplify
the microcosm of the industrious,
multicultural, tolerant and adaptable
city. The creek curves through Dubai, its
waters reflecting ancient wind towers,
slender minarets and high rise offices.
Churning its surface are the dhows and
fishing boats, hotels, beautiful gardens
that line its banks and busy along the
shores are its people of many nations who
live and work here bringing a cultural
variety that enriches every aspect of life in
the city.

When oil was discovered in 1966, H.H
Sheikh Rashid utilized the oil revenues
to spur infrastructure development in
Dubai. Schools, hospitals, roads, were
made and a modern telecommunications
network was laid down. A new terminal
building was built at Dubai International
Airport. The largest man-made harbor in
the world was constructed at Jebel Ali, and
a free zone was created around the port.

Since the 1960’s, H.H Sheikh Zayed bin had dreamed of creating a Federation of Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain,
Sultan Al Nahyan, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Emirates in the region. Their dreams Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah,
and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum were realized in 1971 when Dubai, Abu joined to create the United Arab Emirates.

14 SynergyZ December, 2014